Helping hand with crossing

Whangarei's Josh Nilson has conquered his fear of sharks, and he has his big sister Katie to thank.
The siblings, 11 and 13 respectively, were two of the youngest competitors to take part in the 3.3km State Russell to Paihia Swim on Saturday, and despite a few anxious moments ahead of the start gun, they made it across safe and sound.
"Josh was really anxious about sharks ahead of the swim. He is a competent swimmer and I knew he could make the distance but it was just whether he would have enough confidence on the day," the children's mother, Mary Nilson, said.
On Saturday, Katie decided to set the pace and stick with Josh for the 3.3km crossing except for the last 300m, when they could separate and finish as hard as they could.
"But Katie stuck with Josh the whole way - Katie finished in 1h 6m 50s and was the fourth 14 and under girl, while Josh was three seconds behind her and he was the fifth 14 and under boy," Nilson said.
The Kamo Swim Club swimmers did the 750m event at last year's inaugural Russell to Paihia swim, and got hooked on open sea-swimming so they decided to try out the longer event.
Both Katie and Josh said they thoroughly enjoyed the swim, despite the choppy conditions around the half-way mark which made it hard to see buoy markers and meant they had to stop frequently.
They are now gearing up to do the Capital Classic Swim in Wellington next month, as well as the Corsair Classic in Christchurch in February.
More than 750 swimmers took part in the second race of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, which included the 3.3km crossing, as well as the shorter 1km and 750m events.
Rotorua's Kane Radford took the honours for the 3.3km race in 37m 33s, just eight seconds in front of defending champion Bryn Murphy of Dunedin.
Twenty-year-old Radford was pleased to make amends for his fifth place at last month's State Harbour Crossing in Auckland.
"It's great to get the win and to show everyone the sort of form I am in. The Auckland State Harbour Crossing was just a bad swim. It is awesome to be back on the top of the podium," he said.
At the half-way point, Radford made a break over the chasing pack of five swimmers, but was never really sure how he was placed.
Murphy held on for second place, crossing the line just eight seconds behind the winner. Steven Kent used his surf lifesaving skills to take third place, outsprinting Ben Campbell-Macdonald and Stefan Talbot, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the women's field Charlotte Webby was too strong for the rest of the field, clocking a time of 40m 27s, finishing ahead of late entrant Melissa Ingram. The Olympian was scheduled to swim in Australia this weekend, however a tooth infection saw her unable to travel.
For three other Kiwi sports stars, Saturday provided a new challenge and achievement for their CVs. Ex-Silver Fern, Tania Dalton completed the 3.3km swim while Vodafone Warrior Kevin Locke and his partner and current Black Sticks player Jasmin McQuinn swam the 1km swim.
The next event in the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series is the State Capital Classic in Wellington on January 29.