Former Masterton swimmer Isaac Foote has won the first medal for New Zealand at the Oceania swimming championships which got under way in New Caledonia this week.
Foote, 19, who is now based in Wellington under the tuition of Gary Hurring, finished third in the 5km open water swim.
The outstanding Australian pair of Rhys Mainstone and Trent Gimsey were first and second with Foote holding out teammate Troy Balvert (Waves, Otago) for third.
The two Kiwis swam together through most of the race with Foote just managing to keep Balvert at bay in the sprint to the line. There was only 42/100ths of a second separating the pair.
Results: Rhys Mainstone (Aus) 57min 5.60secs, Trent Gimsey (Aus) 57min 10.94secs 2, Isaac Foote (NZ) 61mins 38.12secs 3, Troy Balvert (NZ) 61min 38.54secs 4.
