Bay event lapped up

PORT Elizabeth's Olympic open water swimmer Jessica Roux was in top form at the weekend with a fine win in the Dis-Chem 2km swim in the opening round of the Ocean Racing Series at Hobie Beach.

More than 350 people took part in one of five events in the ninth Series season.

Overnight rain ensured perfect flat sea conditions for the swimmers, with dolphins and whales looking on as more than 200 swimmers competed in the 1km and 2km races.

The Jones siblings picked up where they left off last season, with Wayne, undefeated in the 2km in the last two seasons, taking the honours ahead of older brother Jason. Ronald Kroch claimed third place, while, among the women, Rebecca Newman and Lauren Munton took the remaining podium positions.

Daniel Jones won the 1km swim from Joshua Bellairs and Robert Masterton, with last season's runner-up Kirsten Marriott getting one up on the 1km women's champion Amy Mardon. Another Amy – Keech – was third.

In the beach events, Munro Ferreira took the top spot in the 5km run. Ferreira, who at just 16 was the overall Series runner-up last season, had a strong run to finish ahead of Luvuyo Stephen and Likhaya Rooi, who are part of the Masakhane Future Stars programme. In the women's 5km run, Megan Snyman proved too strong, taking the gold medal ahead of Elizabeth Anderson and Michelle Lawson.

In the Swirlers Viennese Wafers 5km walk, Juan Slabbert and Taryn Ferreira took the honours.

The popular Crickley Dairy Kids run attracted about 100 entrants.

The top places went to Daniel Elfick and Kayley Pace (six and under), Josh Pretorius and Chennin Upton (7-8), Jack Serfontein and Jamie Bulbring (9-10), and Adam Grosse and Kayla Ferreira (12 and under).

The Ocean Series takes place mostly on alternate Sunday mornings at Hobie Beach from this month to March.