The St Lucia Amateur Swimming Association (SLASA) successfully hosted the Fourth Annual Soufriere Open Water Swimming Challenge on Sunday in conjunction with the Soufriere Marine Management Association in the Soufriere Bay.

The main sponsor was Anse Chastanet Resort and Jade Mountain with additional sponsorship provided by Paradise Springs Water.

With over 40 swimmers coming from the ranks of the competition pool trained athletes from Castries and a very impressive contingent from Vieux Fort and swimmers from Soufriere, there was competition aplenty to entertain the crowd. There was great atmosphere with good representation by members of Baron’s Drive Youth Organization in Soufriere, headed by Felicia Clauzelma.

The Open Water races included the 1 kilometer event plus the pier-to-pier (100 metres) which provided the most entertainment with all the swimmers participating. While all the Castries competitive swimmers dominated, the Soufrierians were also impressive with most completing the course in respectable times. The event highlighted the depth of talent in the coastal towns and the need to provide programs for these talented athletes. During the 1 km event, there were kayaks for safety cover.

The full results in order of finish are as follows. One km swim-12 and Under Girls: Eden Crick & Sofia Spiegelberg (both Sharks, Castries) 28:18.00.

One Km Swim-12 and Under Boys: Mark Emmanus, SFF, Laborie, 18:52.72; Joshua Healey, SFF, Vieux Fort, 20:04.22; Stephan Emmanuel, SFF, Vieux Fort, 22:48.78; Quentin Ragot, SFF, Vieux Fort, 23:48.00. One Km Swim-13 and Over Female: Siona Huxley, Shark, Castries, 17:13.97; Bailey Spiegelberg, Sharks, Castries 18:45.58; Tonisha Mason-Emanus, SFF, Soufriere, 20:27.53; Vanessa Eugene, SFF, Soufriere, 22:38.10; Evelyn Day, Sharks, Castries, 23:09.07.

One Km Swim -13 and Over Male: Joshua Adjodha, Sharks, Castries, 15:11.00; Jamie Peterkin, Sharks, Castries, 15:12.55; Joshua Runako Daniel, Sharks, Castries, 15:35.94; Jordan Augier, Sharks, Castries, 15:41.36; Julien Brice, Sharks, Castries, 15:44.39; Jon-L Innocent-Dolor, Sharks, Castries, 15:44.86; Gaellen Brown, Sharks, Castries, 18:18.62; Nathan Malazier, SFF, Vieux Fort, 22:36.96; Ian Francis, SFF, Vieux Fort, 23:47.29. One Km Swim-Masters: David Moyston, SFF, Vieux Fort, 24:54.96.

Two-Pier Sprint (approximately 100 m). Eight and Under Boys: Leon Alfred, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:53.81; Ian Spiegelberg, Sharks, Soufriere, 3:06.07; Tyrone Paul, BDYO, Soufriere, 3:12.31; Kayode Riviere, SFF, Soufriere, 3:17.25; Rawl Clauzelma, BDYO, Soufriere, 3:35.91; Noah Mathurin & Ethan Peter, BDYO, Soufriere.

Nine to 10 Boys: Christian Foster, RACERS, Castries, 2:12.15; Shalom Leon, SFF Soufriere, 2:21.80; Jarnell Butcher, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:25.40; Shahid Joseph, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:29.53; Keon Charlemagne, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:29.53; Jordan Lamontagne, SFF, Soufriere 3:26.94

Ten and Under Girls: Gabrielle Marshall, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:00.70; Eden Crick, Sharks, Castries, 2:17.37; Jasmin Healey, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:29.38; Yolande Ambrose, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:42.25; Crissie Josephine, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:57.38; Nichelle Paul, BDYO, Soufriere, did not finish.

Eleven to 14 Boys: Joshua Adjodha, Sharks, Castries, 1:23.75; Gaellen Brown, Sharks, Castries, 1:33.41; Christian Andrew, SFF, Vieux Fort .99; Alex Felix, BDYO, Soufriere, 1:45.30; Rashawn Cyril, SFF Soufriere, 1:47.84; Eric Foster, RACERS, Castries, 2:24.11; Tevin St. John, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:24.40; Dalfyh Paul, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:57.76; Johnny Butcher, BDYO, Soufriere, 3:01.60.
Eleven to 14 Girls: Evelyn Day, Sharks, Castries, 1:31.18; Bailey Spiegelberg, Sharks, Castries, 1:33.74; Naomi Helleman, SFF, Vieux Fort, 1:53.98; Jahny Fontinelle, SFF, Vieux Fort, 1:54.94; Antonia Joseph, BDYO, Soufriere, 2:06.72; Joelline Saunders, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:08.25; Marie Burke, BDYO, Soufriere, did not finish.

Fifteen and Over Boys: Julien Brice, Sharks, Castries, 1:13.04; Jon-L Innocent-Dolor, Sharks, Castries, 1:16.25; Darren Francis, BDYO, Soufriere, 1:45.30; Kenny Nicholas, BDYO, Soufriere, 1:47.30; Ian Francis, SFF, Vieux Fort, 2:00.83.

Fifteen and Over Girls: Siona Huxley, Sharks, Castries, 1:26.88; Vanessa Eugene, SFF, Vieux Fort, 1:48.20. Trophy for Fastest Male – Two Pier Sprint, Julien Brice; Trophy for Fastest Male – Two Pier Sprint, Siona Huxley. Six year-old Ian Spiegelberg was the youngest to tackle the Two-Pier Sprint.