Cruz Halbich stays in charge of open water event

Cruz Halbich, the winner of the inaugural OECS Open Water Championships held in Antigua in 2015, last Sunday on home soil, champed the 5,000m race, put on by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Swimming Federation.

Staged at the Villa beach, Halbich clocked one hour 16 minutes 23.18 seconds, {{more}}beating Tyrel Ragguette into second place. Ragguette’s time was one hour 20 minutes 24 seconds.

Docking in third, at some distance, was Jonelson Compton, whose time over the distance was one hour 35 minutes 37.62 seconds. Halbich won the 1,500m race when it was staged last July at the same location.

Meanwhile, in the shorter 1,500m, also held last Sunday, Dillon Gooding was first to complete the course, in 24 minutes 04 seconds. Trailing Gooding in a close finish was Aaron de Freitas, who timed 24 minutes 05 seconds.

Undaunted by the presence of the male dominated field of swimmers, Mya De Freitas docked in third, in 28 minutes 28 seconds.

Four swimmers participated in the 5,000m and 17 in the 1,500m.

The next Open Water Swim races take place at the Plantation House area in Bequia, March 25.(RT)