Keeping up with Joneses is onerous in ocean racing

THE Jones family's domination of the aQuellé Ocean Racing Series has continued this season, but the brothers – Wayne, Daniel and Jason – are certainly mixing things up.

Nineteen-year-old Wayne, undefeated 2km swim champion in season nine, has entered the 1km swim this season, winning round one and coming third in round four.

Youngest brother Daniel, who was undefeated in the 1km swim last season, has moved to the 2km swim, winning the first two rounds.

Oldest brother Jason, the 2km swim runner-up in season nine, claimed his first win of the series in round four two weeks ago, pipping Daniel on the line to improve on his second place during round three.

On Sunday, the series reaches its halfway stage with round five taking place at Hobie Beach. It will be the last action for the year, with the event resuming on January 4.

Framesby scholar Brigitte Muller will be keen to continue her unbeaten run in the women's 1km swim in her first ever season of ocean swimming, but strong challenges will come from Antonelle Saporta, Amy Mardon and Tammy Geyer.

Kirsten Marriott leads the standings in the women's 2km swim having taken all the podium positions so far this season – first in round one, third in round three, second in round four.

She will expect strong competition from the consistent Rebecca Newman, Hannah Haswell and Liza Kingston.

Swimmers such as Dylan Smith and Bradley Reen will be keen to topple the Joneses in the 2km swim, while Ian Venter will be looking for his second win in the 1km event to try and catch the series 1km leader Joshua Bellairs, who has recorded a third and two seconds this season.

Registration and late entries for round five open at 7.30am at Hobie Beach on Sunday, with racing at 9am, followed by the medal presentation and lucky draws, including a cash prize of R1000.