Record numbers for the Cape Paterson Aquathon

The Bass Coast Summer Series of events kicked off at Cape Paterson in remarkable fashion last Sunday with a massive rise in entries from previous years for their Aquathon.

For an event that has never had more than 200 competitors it was amazing to see a new record of 311 participants signed up for either the individual or relay categories.

Especially pleasing to see there were 75 locals competing in the individual categories which also meant more than 50 per cent of the individual competitors were visitors to the Bass Coast Shire.

This bodes well for registrations for the remaining events in the series – the San Remo Channel Challenge on February 10 and the Cowes Classic on March 2.

It is hoped these remaining events in the Bass Coast Series will also see higher than usual numbers of participants and the events may even see an aggregate number that approaches the 1500 mark.

These summer events run by the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club, the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club and the Phillip Island Football Netball Club have become an increasingly important part of the Bass Coast Shire's calendar of events.

"The team from Cape Paterson, led by President Ray Rust, should be rightfully pleased with their efforts last weekend," said Ron Nicholson, organiser of the Channel Challenge.

"It was also good to see Jarrod Evans, head coach of the Triathletes from the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and a highly regarded coach with Triathlon Australia, bring a team of five young triathletes down for the event and also compete in the Masters Division himself.

"Jarrod found himself finishing between two highly talented local Masters' competitors – Justin Tilley and Mark Rowe – and the three of them finished in the top ten of overall competitors.

"This team from the VIS will again be lining up at San Remo for the Channel Challenge in just over two weeks' time and we're now even more hopeful that they can break the record of 635 and even push the magical 700 competitor mark."

Results

It was an intense competition for the overall winner's prize at Cape Paterson with only three seconds separating Callum McLusky and Chris Deegan at the finish.

They were the only two competitors to break the twenty-minute mark and finished well ahead of the rest who were led by O/40's local, Justin Tilley, in third place.

With times of 18 mins 55.8s and 18 mins 59s it was a great finish for spectators and officials to witness as they matched strides along the route.

The first Open Female home was Zoe Clarke, and she had a great race with a top five finish, and the first Junior Female home was Kiara Mooney from the VIS in eighth spot overall.

The first Junior Males in were both local competitors – Ayden Fawaz from the Woolamai Beach SLSC and Callum McLeod – and they were only separated by five seconds at the finish.

Sarah Smith was the first Masters Female home while Paul Taylor and Janice Stephens were first in the Male and Female Veterans' Categories.

Justin Tilley, in third place overall, was the first local to finish again while Tiarnie Ellingworth was the first Local Female home and Abbey Clarke was the first Local Junior Female to finish.

"We now look forward to the rest of the Bass Coast Series of events with bumper crowds of competitors and spectators expected at San Remo and Cowes," said Ron.

"There are already close to 300 competitors registered for the Channel Challenge and 100 for the Cowes Classic."

San Remo Channel Challenge: Saturday February 10, 12.15pm.

Cowes Classic: Saturday March 2, 2.00pm.

Little Penguin Dash (Juniors): Saturday March 2, 10.30am.