Camaraderie at Endurance Championships

Camaraderie at Endurance Championships

The Victorian Endurance Championships are held each year in October as the opening event of the summer competition calendar. The unique program sees competitors from under 12 through to Masters meet to race the long-distance courses in runs, paddles and swims. This year we had a small but talented team racing, with Portsea finishing 7th of the 20 clubs entered.

Conditions were perfect at the Mentone Beach. Mill pond clear seas, still winds and great visibility for spotting the turning buoys on the horizon. First up were the U12/13 board events, where we were represented by Bobby Preston, 13th and Sasha Robertson 17th.

Next followed the ocean swims, 2km for the older age groups and 1km for the youngsters. We had entrants across multiple age groups with many podium finishes. U19 and Open swimmers put toes on the line first. Annabelle Mahon took silver in the U19 women’s ocean swim. Mackie Hunter showed her open water prowess in the open women’s race, enjoying the challenge of drafting in the swim pack with the open men. She was up against her mum Nat Hood who took the open women’s silver. The Masters swimmers headed off next, with Alice Miliani taking gold in the women’s race, Sue Crow AM 4th, and Phil Harford winning silver in the men’s category.

Our junior swimmers completed the 1km ocean swim with Alessandra Ronzani placing 8th in the girls U13 and Bobby Preston 8th in the U13 boys.
On the sandy beach track, Bev Thomas took gold in the masters women 4km run. Sasha Robertson earned the club valuable points in the boys U13 2km with a 4th place. Aless was 7th in her run and Bobby 7th.

The ski races took to the water just as the wind started to pick up. Our masters paddlers Chloe Hardman and Matt Mahon paddled three course laps to total 6km, taking gold and silver respectively in their races. Gabe Cornwell completed the 10km race to take bronze in the open men’s category.

The team was supported by Felix Ritchie and Lachie Dowling on IRB water safety duties for the afternoon craft races. A big thanks to Nat Hood who started with Team Manager duties at 730am and stayed ‘til stumps for the club’s pack up duty.