Locals the talk of the Boiler Swim

Local knowledge was advantageous for Rarotonga swimmers competing in Thursdays Boiler Swim that marked the start of the triathlon week.

While visiting triathlete Jon Robinson won the race in a time of 10.34 in rough conditions, local swimmers were the talk of the afternoon with five island swimmers stroking their way to a top 10 finish in fantastic times.

Second place went to Nathan Robinson, who set the 9 minute boiler swim record in 2001, with a time of 10.44.

First local and first female across the line was Vanessa Nemo Palmer with a time of 11.17.

New island resident Gareth Clayton also impressed with his 3rd male and 2nd local home title 12 seconds behind Palmer.

Shannon Saunders was at her usual swimming best bursting out of the swim and across the line in a time of 11.53 to take out the 3rd female and local across the finish line.

John Beasley is looking forward to a strong swim at todays Air New Zealand International Triathlon after finishing the race in 12 minutes flat for a 9th overall placing. Roland Neururer rounded off the list of top 10 athletes, finishing 10 seconds behind Beasley.

Full 2011 Boiler Swim results 1-Jon Robinson (1st male) 10:34, 2-Nathan Richmond (2nd male) 10:44, 3-Vanessa Palmer (1st local, female) 11:17, 4-Gareth Clayton (3rd male, 2nd local) 11:29, 5-Lynette Griffiths (2nd female) 11:39 6-Shannon Saunders (3rd female, 3rd local) 11:53, 7-John Beasley 12:00, 8-Steve Marshall 12:03, 9-John Boakes 12:06, 10-Roland Neururer 12:10, 11-Kevin Henderson 12:11, 12-Terry Meyer 12:22, 13-Justin Rous 12:32, 14-Rhonda Clelland 12:34, 15-Liz Gilmore 12:37, 16-Fiona Deed 13:14, 17-Peter Robinson 13:24, 18-Jos McDonald 13:26, 19-Jennie George 13:29, 20-Leighton Hunt 13:34, 21-Rangi Apera 14:00, 22-Andy Martin 14:00, 23-Malcolm McKee 14:01, 24-Bruce Henderson 14:13, 25-Allan Bieber 14:30, 26-Apii Napa 14:32, 27-Rob Matheson 14:41, 28-Aden McOnie 15:07, 29-Louise Wilkinson 15:08, 30-Petero Okotai 15:10, 31-Bernie Raffe 15:47, 32-Craig Elgie 15:53, 33-Duncan Horne 16:04, 34-Antony Wills 16:13, 35-Andy Nouk 16:17, 36-Rob Buick 16:21, 37-Justin Henderson 16:24, 38-Dan Roberts 16:45, 39-Michelle Gray 16:55, 40-Elidh Hawkins 16:55, 41-Emma Owens 17:05, 42-Faith Harlow 17:07, 43-Zena Boakes 17:23, 44-Anna Staples 17:23, 45-Peter Reid 17:24, 46-Glen Armstrong 17:30, 47-Shirley Rolston 17:55, 48-Rob McKenzie 18:03, 49-Derek Bewg 18:09, 50-Laura Swann 18:35, 51-Joe McCallum 18:44, 52-Pat Swann 18:47, 53-Jeff Cook 19:06, 54-Lynette Johnston 19:15, 55-Harry Heather 19:57, 56-Joan Beecroft 19:59, 57-Pare Tangata 20:40, 58-Chris Cooper 20:59, 59-Allan Middleton 22:32, 60-Ann Bondi 22:39, 61-Catrionia Pirie 24:17.