State Beach Series: Cropp on top in Takapuna

Herald online

13 Dec, 2011 08:16 PM3 mins to read

Jackson Cropp was first out of the water in less than eleven minutes. Photo / Sam Mayhew Photography

Wet but warm blustery conditions greeted entrants in Race 7 of the State Beach Series on Tuesday night.

Takapuna Beach presented a challenge for all those diehard loyalists who braved condition to compete in the swimming and paddling events.

A 20 knot nor-easter added a nasty chop to the water for swimmers on the 1km course.

The swim out on the first leg was challenging on an outgoing tide and intense concentration was needed on the third and homeward leg as a tail wind and a cross current pushed swimmers away from the marker buoys. In his third consecutive win in the series, Jackson Cropp was first out of the water in less than eleven minutes, a smart time given the conditions. Sean Newcombe was second up the beach followed by Nick Berry.

Kirsty Wannan thrived in the conditions, taking out the women's race a comfortable 23 seconds ahead of Danielle McKenzie who returned to the swim this week after winning the 3km board paddle last week. Brenda Russell was back in third place.

It was testing times for those on boards and many would have found themselves outside their comfort zones. New Zealand champion Jeremy Stephenson mastered the conditions in the 3km Stand Up Paddle to finish 45 seconds ahead of Troy Huston with Troy McAsey 4 seconds back in third. Stephenson said after the race "it was fun conditions, bordering on extreme. It was tough work on the way out but the downwind was fun, allowing for plenty of "gliding"." Stephenson placed fifth in the Molokai2Oahu World Paddleboard Champs in Hawaii last month.

Stacey Smith made it five in a row in the women's event.

Triathlon New Zealand U19 squad member Sam Ward led the 5km run home in a very exciting finish, 2 seconds ahead of Tayler Reid and Troy McAlister while Tara La Grange continued here winning form taking out the women's race.

Surf lifesaver Kevin Morrison, home from training in Australia took out the 5km Surf Ski Paddle squeaking in ahead of Oskar Stielau; both paddlers record the same time with Robbie Ford 4 seconds back in third place.

RESULTS:

Ocean Swim 1000/1500m - Male
1 CROPP, Jackson
2 NEWCOMBE, Sean
3 BERRY, Nick

Ocean Swim 1000/1500m - Female
1 WANNAN, Kirsty
2 MCKENZIE, Danielle
3 RUSSELL, Brenda