PERFECT WEATHER BECKONS A BIG FIELD TO 2015 PAYCE CRONULLA SHARK ISLAND SWIM
- Cronulla Beach, Sydney:
The 2015 PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim and the short course PAYCE Cronulla Beach Fun Swim attracted a total of 783 starters, the largest field for the past four years.
Representing the events' principal sponsor, PAYCE, was Chris Ryan who was joined by special guest and Olympian, Jane Flemming who officially launched the Fun Swim an hour earlier.
In sublime weather conditions, Deputy Mayor, Carmelo Pesce waved the flag for competitors in the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island event in two groups with the fastest swimmers heading the charge down the beach to the water.
To get the Fun Swim underway the events' principal sponsor PAYCE was represented by Chris Ryan who was joined by special guest Olympian, Jane Flemming.
Around an hour later, under exceptional weather conditions, competitors for the main event, the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim, were under starters orders from Deputy Mayor, Carmelo Pesce, and were flagged away as the main group of swimmers lead the sprint down the beach and set the water churning.
To the winners go the kudos...
Stand out performances in the senior ranks went to Georgene McKenzie-Hicks, the event's oldest competitor at age 87, who finished the Shark Island swim with a creditable time of 56:14 minutes, leading 34 competitors to the line and bettering her time last year by two and a half minutes. Also rightful of appreciation for determination and a great performance was 64 year-year old Paul Croft, a four times Paralympian. Despite three knee reconstructions and a severe bike accident in recent years, Paul, an arm amputee, finished the 2.3 kilometre swim in 67:07 minutes to progress on last year's time by nearly 10 minutes.
The one kilometre PAYCE Cronulla Beach Fun Swim was won by Lachlan Vitnell, with Samantha Kennedy the first woman to cross the line in fifth place outright. Jesse Goodyear and Taylar Puskaric were first back to the beach in their respective men's and women's divisions in the 2.3 kilometre PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim, reproducing their winning performances from last year.
Jesse Goodyear, who became the event's youngest winner last year at the age of 15, beat home a field of 465 finishers and improved on last year's winning time by almost one minute, concluding the swim in 27:54 minutes. Second outright was Jay Turness with a time of 28:07 followed closely in third place by Alex Clarke with a set time of 28:12 minutes.
The first woman to cross the finish line, Taylar Puskaric, earned seventh outright with a time of 29:41 minutes and leading home a field of 155 women. Second to finish in the women's division was Emily Lavender, with a time of 31:02 minutes.
Brian Boyd congratulates winners of the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim
PAYCE Managing Director, Mr. Brian Boyd congratulated each of the Cronulla Shark Island Swim winners and thanked Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and its dedicated band of volunteers for making the day such a huge success.
"There is no better organised family-oriented event of its type anywhere, nor a better venue. Once again, Cronulla excelled with a magnificent day, wonderful weather and safe conditions in the water," he said.
"Without doubt, this is one of the best and most enjoyable community events in the Shire and PAYCE is extremely pleased to continue its association as part of a long term sponsorship arrangement with the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club," Brian Boyd said.
Dominic Sullivan on hand at the podium...
PAYCE General Manager, Dominic Sullivan thanked track and field Olympian, Jane Flemming for accepting an invitation to be a special guest of PAYCE on the day and to participate in the official proceedings.
"Jane is a director of the highly successful free Live Life Get Active community program currently running at several locations across the Shire, including one in Sylvania sponsored by PAYCE," he explained.
"PAYCE sponsored events in the Shire, such as the Cronulla Shark Island Swim, the Cronulla Beach Fun Swim, the Live Life Get Active program and the Sutherland2Surf Fun Run & Walk all promote community involvement and good health and fitness.
"PAYCE has been creating vibrant and healthy communities within its residential projects since 1978 and our sponsorship of these events is an opportunity to reach out to the wider community and help achieve similar positive outcomes.
"We are looking forward to continuing to work with the local community as we progress our project on the Kirrawee brickpit site, which will transform the area into a mix of residential, retail and commercial businesses along with a large park for all the community to enjoy," Dominic Sullivan said.
And for the full Results of the PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim...
A full list of the 2015 PAYCE Cronulla Shark Island Swim and the 2015 Cronulla Beach Fun Swim competitors, their times and placings is available at www.sharkislandswim.com.au.
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