The technically difficult cold-water endurance feat is a proving ground for many swimmers with designs on someday swimming the English Channel. This year, two English Channel veterans, Dori Miller, 39, of Bondi Beach Australia, and Lance Ogren, 39, of New York, NY, finished second and third among the solo swimmers. Ogren was the solo men’s winner with a time of 2:42: 57, while Miller was the second solo swimmer and second female swimmer, finishing a mere 30 seconds behind Elizabeth Mancuso, 24, of Brookline, MA, who won the swim in a time of 2:42:15. A third Channel aspirant, Dave Barra, 45, of High Falls, NY, finished the swim in 3:00:31. He is headed to Dover, England next week for his solo English Channel crossing.

Robert Fernald, 43, of North Hampton NH, and David Lee, 35, of Newburyport, MA, finished second and third on the men’s side while Sheryl Bierden, 37, of Westwood, MA, rounded out the women’s top three.

All four relays finished the course. The first-place relay comprised of Seb Neumayer, 27, a two-time winner of the solo race, Santiago Lima, 34, and John Kelleher 26, finished second overall, just four seconds behind Mancuso, with a time of 2:42:19. All three swimmers are from Cambridge, MA.

“Having so many swimmers coming in all at once to a near-photo finish was remarkable and an unusual conclusion to this year’s race,” said Greg O’Connor, Boston Light Swim Race Director. “In long swims like this, the swimmers usually spread out a lot more, but we had a really exciting finish with three solo swimmers all in the hunt for the win.” O’Connor says the spring tide which tends to produce faster currents and higher tides may have contributed to the overall speed of this year’s event. A high caliber of entrants was also noted. “We had some really amazing swimmers out there,” he says.

The Boston Light Race Committee would like to thank all the volunteers, boaters, and swimmers who helped make yesterday’s race happen. A special thanks goes out to the Boston Harbor Yacht Club and the Curley Community Center for hosting the event and to the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary for monitoring harbor traffic and permitting the swim. Thanks also to United States Masters Swimming for sanctioning the event. We are looking forward to another great event next year on August 13th!

Four NEM’s traveled to San Juan Puerto Rico for the USMS Long Course Nationals and returned with a 10th place banner in the regional team category. Tracy Grilli, Jill Litman, Homer Lane and Dave Bright made the trek to the Caribbean to represent New England.

In addition to the beautiful tropical location, this meet was unique in a number of ways. It was the first national meet of the post-tech suit era, they used a weekday – Monday thru Thursday schedule and they included an open water swim. It was also likely the first meet with free rum drinks, salsa dancing lessons and a pig roast in the pool lobby. The facility was beautiful, with a roof for shade and open sides for a nice breeze. Apparently thunder and lightning are no cause for concern as the meet went on through occasional brief storms. The meet was smaller than most, which meant no crowding on deck or in the warm up pool, and an earlier finish time each day. Some popular side trips included Old San Juan inside centuries old forts and walls, the El Junque rainforest, kayaking in bioluminescent waters and the Bacardi distillery (more free rum drinks).

In the pool, many of the former full body suit fans were noticing a drop off in their times but there were still a number of records set and there was plenty of great racing.

Each national meet has it’s own flavor and offerings, but they all include the opportunity to swim in great facilities alongside the best athletes in our sport – past Olympians and current record holders. There is the opportunity to share your interest with great folks from around the country. USMS had daily video recaps which really captured the atmosphere of the event (www.usms.org/comp/lcnats10/gallery.php)

Next up are the short course meet – April 28 to May 1 in Mesa Arizona and long course – August 3 – 6 at Auburn University in Alabama. Mark your calendars…

Summary –
Tracy Grilli – 800 Free – 6th / 50 Fly 9th / 200 Free – 10th / 400 Free – 5th / 200 IM – 7th / 100 Fly – 5th
Jill Litman – 50 Fly – 10th / 100 Fly – 8th
Dave Bright – 800 Free – 4th / 100 Back – 6th / 200 Back – 4th / 200 IM – 6th / 50 Back – 5th
Homer Lane – 200 Free – 3rd / 50 Free – 3rd / 200 IM – 4th / 400 Free – 3rd / 100 Free – 4th

Laszlo Eger

President NEM SC

Dear Fellow Members,
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that we all lost two prestigious ‘Hall of Famers’ this past week, Win Wilson and Harold Anderson.

Harold’s wife ‘Almeda’ called me Monday and wanted to make sure I let all of his aquatic friends and family know as soon as
possible. As all of you know, Harold was one of the original founders of the RI Aquatic Hall of Fame and was more than thrilled he was able to attend this year’s banquet and visit with all of us! In addition, Win Wilson also attended and had fun selling and talking about his new book, so I’m sure he was pleased he could be there as well! Check the Providence
Journal on Wednesday for Harold’s arrangements regarding his wake on Friday and services on Saturday.

The best thing Rhode Island has going for it is its beaches. I am inviting all New England Masters, and anyone reading this, to enjoy a day at one of the most popular beaches while doing something worthwhile. September 11, 2010 is the inaugural Rhode Island event of Swim Across America at Roger Wheeler Park in Narragansett Bay. Swim Across America, Inc., [SAA] is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, and, as such, this swim will include swimmers of all ages and skill levels to benefit cancer research, prevention and treatment at Women and Infants Hospital. Individuals, or teams, can also swim in the ‘Memory’ of family or friends that have lost their battle with cancer, or to ‘Honor’ those loved ones that courageously continue their battle with this terrible disease. I have joined Team Win Wilson to honor our own masters swimming legend in his ongoing battle and invite all of you to join also or to register individually. DO SOME GOOD DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

Join Olympian Rowdy Gaines, and me, Jacki Hirsty (chicken-in-the-sea, so I need lots of company) , in the 1/2 mile or 1 mile open water swim on September 11, 2010. See all the information, register, donate or volunteer at: http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/Page.aspx?pid=884. Information form can be directly downloaded here.

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, 195 swimmers, ages ranging from 7 to 68 years old took to the waters of Lake Memphremagog in Newport, VT for the Second Annual Kingdom Swim.  Attached are the times in the 10 mile, 3 mile, 1 mile, ? mile and 100 yard swims.

In nearly perfect swimming conditions, Rondi Davies, an Australian living in New York City, completed the 10 mile course with a time of 3:56:49.and successfully defended her title as overall Champion of Kingdom Swim by beating out Joe Sheehan of Boxford Mass in a hard fought duel. As the female and male winners, Rondi and Joe each received a Kingdom Swim walking stick, which was hand carved by Bill Peck of Derby, Vermont.

Swimmers, their kayakers, and their families came from 26 different states, Mexico, and India to participate in the swim.  Swapnali Yadav, and 11 year old from Mumbai, India was the female youth winner of the 10 mile course and Michael Happ, 17, from Hingham, Mass was the male youth winner of the 10 mile course.

Earlier, on Friday evening, over 300 marched in the Pet and Swimmers Parade and dined at the Gateway as part of the Swimmers and Yackers Pasta Dinner.

Shu Wan of Richmond, Indiana was winner of the Elton John look-a-like contest. Bill Shipp of Mitchellville, Maryland was the high pledge winner, raising $1,175 in donations to support IROC’s Healthy Changes Initiative.   He presented Phil White, Chairman of IROC’s Board, with a Maryland state flag which had been flown over the Maryland statehouse for a day, in honor of this ground breaking program.  Swimmers raised over $27,000 in support of the program.  The Initiative is an exercise program and discounted membership for people suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis as well as cancer patients, cancer survivors, and seniors over the age of 65.

  The swim was conducted as part of Newport’s Kingdom Aquafest  which also included a street fair on Saturday afternoon, a wide variety of music throughout the afternoon, Last Kid Picked played through the Fireworks,  celebrating The heart of summer in the heart of the Kingdom.  Sunday saw Pick & Shovel bed races and Passumpsic Bank Logrolling.

White thanked Peter Stuart, a member of the Board and Chair of the Kingdom Swim Organizing Committee, Julie Gunn, Director of Programming at IROC and the swim’s “field marshall”at the beach and 100 or so  battle hardened staff and volunteers who supported the event not only on the beach but also in kayaks and  motorboats out on the water.  The event also raised funds for Memphremagog Watershed Association, Coutts Moriority, Northwods Stewardship Center, and a number of other charitable causes.  The event was sponsored by Community National Bank, Paul Decelles Investment Planning, Vermont Highland Cattle Company, Poulin Lumber, Louis Garneau, Boston Sports Club, XTerra Wet Suits, The East Side Restaurant, and numerous others.

Results are available on our results page.

Laszlo Eger

President NEM SC