Experience counts, is the clear message from the Bay of Islands Classic swim, the penultimate event in the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series, which took place on 18 March in Paihia. At 49 years old, Brent Foster surprised swimmers less than half his age with a victory in a time of 41:04 for the 3.3km race.
Brent is clearly a versatile athlete. In 1986 and 1990 he represented New Zealand in the pool in two Commonwealth Games. He was a member of the winning New Zealand team at the World Lifesaving Championships and he also once set the course record for the swim section of the New Zealand Ironman and in 2008 he was World Aquathlon Champion.
In the women’s race, Stefannie Gillespie was first back in 44:04, This was her second win of the series.