RADFORD AND NORFOLK DOMINATE HARBOUR CROSSING 

The top seeds came through to win the opening round of the Sovereign New Zealand Ocean Swim Series at the Harbour Crossing Auckland this morning with Kane Radford and Helen Norfolk winning with ease.

Both defending champions in the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series laid down the gauntlet to their rivals in near perfect conditions on the Waitemata Harbour this morning, with Norfolk over a minute clear of 2006 winner Melissa Ingram and Radford an incredible one minute 52 seconds clear of Daniel Ryan, in doing so smashing the race record and dipping under 30 minutes for the 2.8km race. 

Trailing behind them was the incredible sight of close to 1300 swimmers of all ages, shapes and sizes making their way slowly but surely from Stanley Bay to the Viaduct in downtown Auckland. 

17 year old Radford was commanding in victory but typically modest in his summary.

 “I didn’t really have a race plan as such, initially I was just wanting to get away clean and then keep an eye on the others to see what they were doing. Conditions were a little rougher than it looked from the beach with a reasonable chop in the middle stages. But I felt great, stronger than last year and am please with the swim.” 

Radford emerged into the Viaduct on his own with Daniel Ryan in second place ahead of Olympian Dean Kent. 

Norfolk was almost as impressive in turning the tables on last year’s winner Ingram and like Radford, set a new race record for the event. 

“That was so much better than last year when I had my goggles knocked off and didn’t navigate too well. I got a good clean start and found the heels of some good male swimmers and this time swam a reasonably direct line to the finish.” 

Ingram held out Joyce Wiegersma (Invercargill) for second, maintaining an incredible record for her and Norfolk of finishing in the top two for every Harbour Crossing Event since its inception in 2004. 

Event Director Scott Rice was thrilled with the day and the turnout. 

“This is the best yet with a fantastic turnout of swimmers, great weather and a great show of support at both the start and the finish. With the support of Sovereign and our other sponsors this event continues to grow and today did them all credit. Thanks also to the wonderful support from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand who this year is our official charity. Their focus on safety with St John made for a great day for all swimmers, regardless of ability.” 

Principal sponsor Sovereign was on hand to hand out the medals, with Sponsorship Manager Richard Allen delighted with the day. 

“The elite swimmers are world class and well done to them but it was just as wonderful today to see the hundreds of stories of inspiration and dedication from everyday New Zealanders in taking on such a challenge. With growth approaching 25% it augers well for the rest of the Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series and lays down the challenge to Wellington, Christchurch, Mount Maunganui and then back on the North Shore to step up to the mark also.” 

Amongst the celebrity swimmers to complete the Harbour Crossing in style today were television and radio personality Jeremy Corbett,  former All Black Ian Jones and politician Rodney Hide. 

Sovereign NZ Ocean Swim Series Results can be found on: www.oceanswim.co.nz