The competitor who died during the swim leg of the Iron Māori multi-sport event in Napier on Saturday was Aucklander Rachel Louise James, police confirmed.
Police described the water-related incident as a sudden death and said it was reported shortly after 7.40am.
![Emergency services and members of the public at the scene of the death in Napier on Saturday morning. Photo / Connul Lang](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JLWH4EAXMBCWVLZAY5VKUCAJKA.jpg?auth=562cd1015bdebe4874e48d1c523dc0b29666b202afa9af5383d445a0b9c7971a&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
The 50-year-old’s death has been referred to the coroner.