Sunday’s Harbour Crossing Auckland signals the start of the five race Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series and with it a chance for the best swimmers in the country to gain a psychological and points advantage over their rivals, not to mention the lucrative prize money up for grabs.

The 2.8km crossing of the Harbour from Stanley Bay to the Viaduct stops all marine traffic for one hour each year and will make for a spectacular sight as over 1200 swimmers churn the Waitemata into a washing machine of wetsuits. At the head of the field though will be a select group of elite athletes with their eyes on the series points and prize money on offer.

Defending champions Kane Radford and Melissa Ingram will start favourites in their respective races, with Radford eyeing the open water event at the Beijing Olympic Games next year. The Rotorua based open water specialist knows he will be a marked man this summer - "You never know how any open water swim will pan out, let alone an entire series but I’m sure I will be seen as the one to beat. My focus is very much on Beijing next year but first I must qualify at the World Open Water Championships in Seville in May. The Sovereign series will play a big part in my preparation with each race a chance to pick up vital experience in elite company".

Radford will hit the start line on Sunday morning in the middle of a huge workload, currently clocking up 85 to 90km a week in heavy training. But the 17 year old says the competitive juices will kick in once the gun goes. His biggest challenge will likely come from Sovereign Series regular Dean Kent. The medley expert has just returned from a successful tour of world cup meets in Europe and will do well to shake off the jet lag in time for Sunday morning - "The past few weeks have been extremely hectic with everyday spent training, traveling or competing. It is nice to be home though and I’m sure the adrenalin will start flowing on the start line at Stanley Bay. The view across to the city is always a spectacular one; looking forward to racing".

The women's race will again pit the skills of Melissa Ingram and Helen Norfolk against each other. These two have occupied the top two places at every race across the Harbour with Ingram powering to an impressive victory last year. Overall Sovereign Series champion Norfolk isn't talking revenge though, nor is she about to concentrate on just one swimmer. There is no doubt that Melissa will be the one to beat, she is such a great competitor - "But there will be 1200 others on the start line on Sunday and to be honest, the first part of the race is spent concentrating on finding clear water and staying on track. With so much going on it will be difficult to focus on just one other swimmer in amongst the wetsuits and chop. I have had a hard week of training with some big miles in the pool but I am excited to get in the water. I know I am fit so am looking forward to it. You learn a little with each ocean race and this time round I am a bit more ready for anything that might happen. Last year my goggles got knocked off and the navigation wasn’t quite as it should have been so there is plenty to improve upon this Sunday".

An interesting competitor on Sunday will be elite triathlete Debbie Tanner as she looks to work on her swim ahead of a busy 2008 that will include an appearance at the Beijing Olympics (subject only to NZOC ratification).

The men's race has been hit with the withdrawal of Commonwealth Games gold medalist Moss Burmester but is nonetheless shaping as a great battle between Radford and Kent with the likes of Michael Jack and Andrew McMillan capable of surprising on the day. Dean Kent (NZ Swim Team) Helen Norfolk (NZ Swim Team) Melissa Ingram (NZ Swim Team) Michael Jack (NZ Swim Team) Andrew McMillan (NZ Swim Team) Kane Radford (NZ Swim Team) Debbie Tanner (Olympic Triathlete) Rodney Hide

Tame the Tide - After being pushed off course last year in his debut ocean swim, politician and former dancer Rodney Hide is focused on making the finish pontoon in the Viaduct Harbour this year. Hide went on to finish three other swims in the Sovereign NZ Series last year but will want to avoid a repeat navigational error across the Harbour. He will have competition in the celebrity ranks from former All Black Ian Jones and Radio and TV host Jeremy Corbett. They won't however be racing Rosie the Labrador this year with news that the amazing 9 year old swimming dog has put the paws up in retirement after a long and illustrious career.

Celebrities:

Rodney Hide - Hide comes to tame the tide! Ian Jones - 2nd time round for Ian & Jeremy Corbett - Seasoned ocean swimmer!

The race begins at 7.30am from Stanley Bay and heads across the Harbour in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge to the finish line inside the Viaduct Harbour.

Race map and course can be seen at http://www.oceanswim.co.nz/