Gorman, who has already qualified for the London Olympics, is using the New Zealand open swim series as valuable race preparation.
Baker, who won the opening round of the series in Auckland, has retained her overall lead with her second placing as she works towards next month's national open water championships in Taupo, the selection event towards the final London Olympic qualifying race in Portugal.
Talbot was the men's favourite heading into the race, despite having never won an ocean swim series event before. He proved his worth on Saturday in winning the men's race by 40 seconds over nearest rival, triathlete Graham O'Grady of Hamilton.
"I stuck with Melissa most of the way," Talbot said. "She's a very good swimmer so I decided to try to stick with her but she just got me at the end there."
The conditions deceived the swimmers by flaunting a calm, flat surface at the start line in Russell. But once out of the protection of the bay, the strong northeasterly made it testing on competitors.
About 800 swimmers between the ages of 6 and 81 took the plunge in a range of recreational swims.
The third round of the six-race series is in Wellington on January 29.
- APNZ
