NZ State Ocean swim series

November 21st 2010

For immediate release from the State NZ Ocean Swim Series, for further information visit www.oceanswim.co.nz


Dominant victories at State Harbour Crossing

Top Australian swimmer Codie Grimsey upset arguably the strongest field ever assembled at the State Harbour Crossing today. He dominated the men’s race, winning ahead of a clutch of world class Kiwis including defending champion Bryn Murphy who came in second some twenty seconds behind. Australian based Kiwi Cara Baker dominated the women’s field ahead of Lauren Boyle.

The 19-year-old, Grimsey led the field from the beginning. An impressive victory considering the line-up included five of the six previous winners of the event, including three time winner Kane Radford (Rotorua) who had to settle for fifth place on an overcast and rainy Auckland morning.

It is the only day of the year when harbour traffic gives way to swimmers and over 1200 people took advantage of that making their way from Bayswater on the North Shore to the Viaduct in Auckland City in an event that is becoming iconic to the city of Auckland and the Waitemata Harbour.

The men’s podium was rounded out by relative unknown local swimmer Matthew Stanley, the promising youngster out sprinted the more experienced ocean water swimmer, Phillip Ryan.

Grimsey was pleased to go one better than his older brother (Trent) who finished second at this event in 2008.

“While my brother has been over to do the event, it was my first time, so I just thought it would be safest to follow the swim buoys as much as I could – so I just stayed on them the whole way.

“With such a strong field I knew I would have to get off to a fast start – so I did, swimming as hard and as straight as I could.”

Having got a taste for beating the Kiwis, Grimsey is planning on coming back to take on some more of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

This will please second place getter and first Kiwi home – Bryn Murphy, disappointed to lose today but happy he will get another shot at beating the Australian on his home soil.

“You never want an Aussie to beat you in a race like this but he had a really good race and I’m pleased with my swim, I actually swam a minute faster than last year.

“Codie and I took slightly different lines out there and then came together at the end. He had the little bit of a gap on me which I wasn’t able to catch him unfortunately. I look forward to having another crack this season.”

Three-time winner of the State Harbour Crossing, Kane Radford, was disappointed to not be able to repeat his usually dominating performance at the event.

“I had a really tough day at the office unfortunately. Everything just seemed to go badly. But you have days like that – I’ll be up at Russell for the next swim to hopefully make amends.”

As with the men’s field, there was also an Australian influence in the women’s race with current Australian resident Cara Baker winning the women’s title. The Kiwi-born swimmer confirming her dominance in this series and adding to her State King of the Bays title which she won in April 2010.

“I’m really happy with my swim today, I just went as hard as I could the entire way, I didn’t know where any of the other girls were – I was pretty worried they were right there.”

Baker is planning on making the trip back to her homeland a few more times this season, however is keeping her plans close to her chest.

“I’ll definitely be back for a few more events as part of this series – I’m not going to say which ones – I’ll keep the other girls guessing.

Two swimmers keeping an eye on her movements will be Lauren Boyle and Mellissa Ingram, the two Auckland swimmers taking second and third respectively.

While not challenging the leaders, there was one participant who was more accustomed to being on the water rather then in the water – earlier this year Shaun Quincey was the first person to kayak the trans-Tasman. He crossed the line happy to have ticked off another crossing on his to do list.

“I really enjoyed it actually, I’m a bit out of shape but I made it so happy with that. It’s pretty good to be back in the water, right now I’d rather be on the water but pretty good to be in it and doing other challenges – so it was good fun.”

Scott Rice, Event Director of the State Ocean Swim Series, was extremely pleased with today’s event.

“It was such a great atmosphere at the finish line today, all the swimmers seemed to have a great time and everyone was just buzzing.”

Today was the seventh staging of the State Harbour Crossing, the event is the first in a series of six swims as part of the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series.

For State Insurance, the support of the series is part of the biggest sponsorship deal in its one hundred year history of supporting New Zealand communities.

The next event in the State New Zealand Ocean Swim Series is the State Russell to Paihia Swim on Saturday 11 December 2010.

Take the plunge this summer. Find out more at www.oceanswim.co.nz

We talk open water swimming with Pilar Geijo

Pilar Geijo has to be the happiest person we've ever met. Not just because she has taken her first ever title as the overall winner of the womens FINA Open Water Grand Prix series. Every time we talk get the chance to chat with Pilar she leaves you smiling and with the urge to go out and swim for the shear joy of it. So we thought we'd give you the chance to get to know the new queen of open water swimming. We've said it before and we'll say it again... we love Pilar!

Pilar collecting her spoils at the FINA Grand Prix in Roberval, Canada

blue70: So congratulations on claiming the No 1 spot on the FINA open water Grand Prix series! You have progressed so fast – 23rd in 2008, second last year – when did you believe you could take the series win this year?

Pilar: Firstly, Thanks a lot!!
In 2009 when I was second on the ranking Grand Prix, this was actually the first time that I could attend all the races of the circuit (ten races) - it was also the first time that I participated in long races so this represented a big challenge for me.In 2010, it was the second time that I decided to take part of the circuit, so I had more experience. In the middle of the year after the race in Mexico where I won with a high level of competitors I realized that it was possible to win the series. After the races in Canada where I won both, the difference of points with the second girl ranked were enough to let me imagine that the possibility to win the series could become true.

The result has come a little early this season after racing was cancelled due to the death of Fran Crippen in the men’s 10k race in Dubai. How has his death impacted on the open water swimming community? I imagine you are all very close?

Fran's death was really very sad for the whole community of the swimming. I was in Dubai and it was terrible to hear about this news. I had not had much opportunity to talk to him because we take part in different circuits, so we didn’t attend the same races. Anyway, the people I have spoken with that did know Fran have given me wonderful comments of what a good person he was.

You are the first Argentinean woman to win a FINA open water swimming title – who inspired you to become a competitive swimmer?

I learned to swim in a club called GEBA where I meet Alfredo Camarero who was an Argentinean open water swimmer in the 50´s; he was a World Champion in 1955, and 1956. I meet him when I was 10 years old. He always told me his experiences, and he always used to say me that my personality and my good humor will help me to swim in open water. I remember that he told me "if you want to be a different swimmer, you MUST do different things, things that the other don’t do".

What age did you start swimming, and who taught you?

I learned to swim at the age of 6, and started to compete at the age of 8 in the swimming pool.

When did you decided to pursue open water racing (rather than pool), and why?

At the age of 15 I participated for the first time in a competition of Open Water and it liked me very much.

I used to compete in swimming pool (800, 1500 freestyle) and I had very good results, anyway I always liked the long distances and the swimming pool was short for me! So I tried with open water, and I love nature and the open water was the perfect scene to be near to nature.

What do you think has been the key to your success?

Patience, conviction, dedication, a lot of training and a lot of love. And the most important key: Enjoy the activity that you do!!!

When did you know you could achieve the level of success you have?

The most important thing to have success is to have clear your goals. Sometimes you have to take important decisions and that have risk. The important thing is that you close your eyes and think: "What do I really want for me??” that’s going to help you to focus on your goals.
This year we had very clear our goal and we decided don’t stop until we achieve it!!

Pilar rocking her Carbon Race goggles at training

What makes you want to succeed at swimming at the highest level - what drives you to want to be the best?

I have a lot of personal reasons that makes me want to have success. It was more than 15 years that I’m a swimmer, and during this long way I had found a lot of situations that I had to resolve, a lot of obstacles to overcome. I love to improve myself. During this long way I meet a lot of people that really wish for me all the best, and they have only love for me. All the support of my family, my mum, my dad, all the dedication of Diego (I was his first elite swimmer and it was a big and important decision for him to start coaching me).

All these loving people give me the power to have success, because I know that with good results or bad results they will be always supporting me… The best part of a good result, is not only the title, the best part is to share your happiness with the people I love. This is a big reason to want to be the best!!!

Your husband is your coach so this must be a fantastic achievement for him too – how long has he been your coach?

Yes! For Diego is too the best achievement in his profession and this is for me an extra happiness. We are together 5 years ago, and we are working together in the swimming pool for the last 3 years!! The best 3 years of my sports career!!! :)) It is very funny to share the trainings!

Pilar and her husband and coach Diego Tricarico

What do you think it is about his coaching that has worked so well for you?

Diego is very professional, his knowledge are of a high level, and all of these things give me a lot of reliance.

We have an excellent relationship and this allow me to have fun everyday in every training.

What is it about open water swimming that you love the most?

What more I like about the open water is that everything is unpredictable, different situations can appear that you will have to go solving - trying to take the best decisions.
Not only you have to be a good swimmer, but also you have to pay much attention, and be very attentive to the various movements and situations during the competition.

To succeed at this level you must be doing some huge hours in the pool and in the open water. What does the your average training week look like?

I train an average of 5 hours per day in the swimming pool. 2,5 hours per morning, and the rest during the afternoon. (Average of 15km per day)
Everyday after the training session I made a session of stretching and also 3 times per week I work gymnasium for 2 hours.

Where to from here? What are your goals in open water swimming?

I still have on my mind to be part of the Olympic Games, I was so near to qualified in 2008, I was really strong that day but I think that anxiety played against me. Today I feel that I manage much better my emotions.

And of course – what are your favourite blueseventy products for training and racing?

I love all blueseventy products, I become part of blueseventy team this year and I’m very proud for that. They provide me the best products of the swimming market, blueseventy have innovation, experience, and elegance!!!

For training I like to wear nice swimsuit with funny colors that makes feel comfortable + beautiful, (I prefer the Flair swimsuit in pink!!)

For racing, I need the best swimsuit and I am lucky to have it! The neroTX Kneeskin is comfortable and this is very important for open water swimmer because the races are sometimes longer than 8 hours and we need to feel good!!

Thanks for your time – we can’t wait to see what you do next!

see us at The Running Event

There is a reason blueseventy continues to be the leading wetsuit in all run speciality stores across the country. Today we are headed to one of our all-time favorite places - Austin, Texas for the 2010 Running Event, an interbike for running. If your attending or representing a store at this year's event then we welcome you to stop by booth #725 this Wednesday and Thursday to say hi, see our wonderful gear, meet our fantastic employees and most importantly, find out why blueseventy is the only choice for your store. See you in Big Tex.

Just another day at the UK office...

It might be starting to snow in the UK, but that doesn’t mean we hole up in the office with a nice cuppa and a jaffa cake. Nope, we’re out doing photo shoots and video analysis in all weather (with tea in a thermos).

Here are a few shots that Julie took on some recent shoots with Ross Davenport, and also some video analysis work with the team at Swim Smooth. Julie from our UK office tells all…

Here are a few shots that I took on the photo shoot with Ross - as you can tell I’m not very good with the phone camera – lucky we had a pro doing the proper shots!
The photo shoot was for the awesome new Axium Wiggle suit, and took place at a very beautiful nature reserve in Nottingham.
It was a great afternoon and Ross was very willing despite the weather. It was cold and raining, but never once did he complain about being frozen (and I know he was)! At one stage we asked him to remove the wetsuit to his waist, which he dutifully did, but even just watching I felt very cold and did up my coat!!! I did try to give him warm thoughts (telling him to think he was on a warm sunny beach in the med) but I don’t think it helped…

When you work with people like Ross and Dave (our photographer), no matter what the good old English weather does you always have a great time. And with a great product what more can anyone ask for - we have it all at blueseventy!! Your jealous now aren’t you? No you can’t have my job.

Anyway, next it was a video shoot with the guys at Swim Smooth, who are filming clips for blueseventy, as well as a coaching course. Ross and Mark (TFN TRI Team) played starring roles (no star on the dressing room door - pffft!).
Ross did the first shoot, with the aim being to record an example of a good strong stroke, and of course Ross gave a master class. We had an audience with a few coaches’ present poolside, and all said it was a real privilege to have been able to see Ross swim and chat with him about what makes his stroke so good. And I might also add that he makes our Jammers look very good too!!!!!

Next up was Mark swimming in the Axium wetsuit. The aim was to show how the suit affects body position the water, using some buoyancy exercises.

After the wetsuit session, Mark swam in blueseventy TriDistance shorts to get some video analyses of his swim stroke and provide feedback which he could use to further refine his technique. This video analysis is a fantastic tool for improving technique, and Mark felt he learned a lot from the session. The guys also gave him a CD of the session so that he can continue to use it in his training sessions. Not doubt the knowledge will be put to good use at Clearwater!


You can learn more about Swim Smooth by visiting their website swimsmooth.com

Rich Abrahams shatters records at Kevin Nash Memorial Meet

In the Denver swimming community the Kevin Nash Meet is a short course meter (SCM) warmup for big winter competitions. But no one told Rich that.

Even a 4 hour hike the day before didn’t seem to slow him down. Rich competed in the 50 and 100 SCM freestyles and the 50 and 100 SCM butterfly events, and of course, wearing his NeroTX jammers.

One of Rich’s specialties, the 50 freestyle had an existing world record of 26.68. Unrested, Rich smashed the record with a time of 26.14. In the 100 fly he set a new United States Masters Swimming record of 1:07.54 breaking the old record of 1:08.36.

He just missed records in the 50 fly and 100 free but Rich feels “…confident of breaking (them) in Long Beach when I am rested and tapered.”

Great job Rich and can’t wait to cheer you on in December!


Rich is swimming A LOT faster in blueseventy!

blueseventy sponsored teams rock IM Florida

blueseventy sponsored TeamTBB & Sport Beans/NTTC put together solid performances at Ironman Florida to take top honors.

On the women's side

Team Sport Beans/NTTC pro Jessica Jacobs became the first American woman to win Ironman Florida! Her 9:07:49 clocking for the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run was just off the course record and was the second fastest time ever by a woman in the twelve-year history of the event. Jess did so with the day's fastest women's bike split (4:52:30, 22.97 mph) and fastest women's marathon (3:04:52, 7:03 per mile pace).

Team TBB's Erika

Csomor of Hungary, a two-time ITU World Duathlon Champion and 4th at the Ironman World Championship in 2009, finished 2nd. Fellow blueseventy athlete Kim Loeffler of the USA rounded out the podium. This is the second Ironman win in 2010 for the Sports Beans/NTTC team. Ben Hoffman won Ironman Lake Placid in July.

TeamTBB's James Cunnama capped off an amazing season that saw his first major win (Alpe D’Huez Triathlon), first full-distance win (Rev3 Cedar Point), first 70.3 title (Austin) and now his first Ironman title on Saturday.

He did so after suffering a flat on the bike that cost him time, but made up the ground with a smoking fast 2:43:09 marathon. Portuguese pro Pedro Gomes finished second and blueseventy stud Dirk Bockle backed up a top-ten finish at Ironman World Championships last month with a 3rd place in Florida and showed off that ITU form in the gulf by winning the swim.

Deventio girls are swimming faster in blueseventy

We’re not just about the Olympics and World Champs and all that razzmatazz (word of the day - try and get that in a facebook update!). Anywho – we heard about some great success from three pretty sharp swimmers from the Derventio eXcel swim squad who clocked some great results at the UK School Games which took place in Sunderland.

Evie Keane (16), Emily Allsopp (16) & Jodie Hawksworth (14) were all part of the England Central Team who won the overall swimming title after a very close fought 2 day programme and a highly dramatic final event; which saw the leaders by a very close margin, England North, being disqualified and handing the title to the Central team .

The three Derventio girls all performed exceptionally well in their NeroTX suits, with each of them taking medal places. In the individual events, Jodie was in top form in the breaststroke, bagging the silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m; Emily also took bronze in the 200m backstroke. In the relays, Evie swam excellent legs in both the 4 x 100m & 4 x 200m freestyle, ensuring her team secured silver medals in both events.

The Sainsbury's UK School Games is an event for the UK's elite young athletes of school age. About 1600 athletes compete across ten sports in a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games (but with more chaperones I’ll bet).

L-R: Emily Allsopp, Evie Keane, Jodie Hawksworth