One of the world's best open water swimmers has entered round one of the State New Zealand ocean swim series in Paihia this Saturday.
24 year old Australian Trent Grimsey, who broke the world record for the English Channel in September, will swim in Paihia.
He conquered the Channel, one of the world's great ocean swims, in 6 hours and 55 minutes, shaving two minutes of the old record.
Grimsey is in top form, having won this year's FINA open water swimming grand prix circuit. He's also a three-time Australian open water champion, and the current New Zealand Open Water 10km champion.
But he won't have it all his own way, with younger brother Codie, also in the field along with New Zealand number one Kane Radford.
Codie Grimsey, 22, is an up and comer. He's also won Australian titles, and has had prior success in New Zealand, winning the 2010 King of The Bays, on Auckland's North Shore.
Radford, also 22, who won three races in last year's State New Zealand series, is the best of the local hopes. He's motivated to put the disappointment of missing this year's Olympic Games behind him.
"I was gutted not to make London. The State Paihia Classic will be a good gauge of where I'm at", he says.
In the women's, Taranaki's Charlotte Webby looks the swimmer to beat. She won one of last year's races, and placed in another two.
"I'm in a heavy workload at the moment, swimming 55 to 65 kilometres a week", she says.
"I'm excited about this one. It's a straight line race and one of my favourites."
Another to look out for is Lower Hutt's Courtney Carson. She's just 15 years old, and is stepping up to the elite level after winning the junior title last season.
The 3.3km State Paihia Classic begins at Russell at 9:30am on Saturday morning, with the competitors swimming to Paihia.
The other rounds include Auckland's iconic State Harbour Crossing on December 2nd. The other four races are held in Wellington, Akaroa, Mount Maunganui and Takapuna.
For more information: www.oceanswim.co.nz.
