Radford, Hayes claim open water swim double

Kane Radford and Penelope Hayes made it a double this weekend claiming the 5km New Zealand Open Water Championship honours at Lake Taupo today.

The pair backed up strong performances from yesterday when they claimed the 10km titles.

Rotorua swimmer Radford was at the front of the pack throughout the race and was pleased with how things played out finishing in 59:27.

“Yet again, it was the same as yesterday; just sitting there and then I just went with about 500m to go and just made sure I stayed in front coming into the finish,” Radford said.

“I’m a little bit sore today but that’s to be expected and there was always going to be a challenge to go out there and win it again today but I was happy to come out and do that.”

Hayes, who is a promising triathlete, was thrilled to pick up another win this weekend coming home in 1:08.21.

“It was a lot harder than yesterday just in the chop makes it kind of hard to get in a rhythm but I got there in the end,” Hayes said.

“I’m stoked to get the win again. I think I went a bit hard in the first lap so the second lap was a bit tougher but it’s just learning.

“When I woke this morning it felt like a truck had hit me in the night but most people would have been the same so you’ve got to try back it up.”

Yesterday’s silver and bronze medallists in the 10km, Phillip Ryan (Waterhole) and Liam Albery (Capital), picked up the same spots in today’s 5km in 59:28 and 59:30 respectively.

In the women’s event second home was West Auckland’s Bridget Maher in 1:08.23 followed by Abigail Chapman (Pukekohe) in 1:08.38.

Results, NZ 5km Open Water Swim:

Men: Kane Radford (Rotorua) 59:27, 1; Phillip Ryan (Waterhole) 59:28, 2; Liam Albery (Capital) 59:30, 3; Troy Balvert (St Peters) 59:52, 4; Ben Ruback (Capital) 1:02.58, 5.

Women: Penelope Hayes (St Peters) 1:08.21, 1; Bridget Maher (West Auckland) 1:08.23, 2; Abigail Chapman (Pukekohe) 1:08.38, 3; Caitlin Delany (Tasman) 1:08.38, 4; Natalie Walsh (Aquabladz, New Plymouth) 1:08.59, 5.

CAPTION: Penelope Hayes in action at the New Zealand 5km open water swimming championships in Taupo today.

NZ Open Water Championships