Contributed by Charlotte Brynn, NE-LMSC Open Water Chair

Results      Photos              

LAKE MEMPHREMAGOG, NEWPORT, VERMONT -  With a variety of distances to choose from, a sandy start and finish, and fresh water, Kingdom Swim 2016 was a perfect event for first timers and seasoned veterans. This year, New England swimmers flocked to the waters of Lake Memphremagog, and they were in good company; approximately 150 swimmers and about 140 kayakers participated. They travelled from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Ireland, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Quebec. Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington State, and Wisconsin.

The weekend kicked off with a Pizza Cruise on the Northern Star, with motivational speaker Craig Dietz, 41, from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, also known as the Limbless Waterman. He delivered a powerful talk, and on Saturday, completed the longest swim of his life, the 10 km marathon course in a time of 4:12:35. Craig used a flipper attached to his left leg stump and undulated on his back.

After a terrific Pasta Dinner on Friday evening, swimmers were ready to take to the Lake. Kingdom Swim included the 15.9-mile (25 km) Border Buster, the USMS 10-mile Open Water National Championship, a non-championship wave of the 10-mile course, a 6.2-mile (10 km) race, as well as 3.1-mile (5 km) and 1-mile races.

For the first time this year, the event featured a pig roast in the evening. The event featured live music and a raffle to win entry to various swims, including Swim the Suck, Swim the Kingdom Week, and the Cork Distance Training Camp.

Big thanks to Bob Fernald, event referee, and Phil White of Kingdom Games and his volunteers who made this such a memorable event. The common thread in talking with swimmers post swim was, “I can’t wait to return to the North East Kingdom.” Congratulations to all those who swam, and enjoyed all that Open Water Swimming has to offer - good natured swimmers, beautiful scenery, and the camaraderie of enjoying the outdoors together, whether it be for competition or recreation. Top results can be found below, and full results are posted here. Additionally, registration is already open for 2017!

Border Buster - 15.9 Mile

Swimmers crossed the border into Canada and swam back to the USA. The overall course winner was Charlotte Brynn, 50, of Stowe, VT in 7 hours, 55 minutes, 46 seconds. Bill Shipp, 56, of Mitchellville, MD was second in a time of 8 hours, 18 minutes, 47 seconds. Ned Denison, 58, was third, finishing in 8 hours, 48 minutes, and 31 seconds.

NEW ENGLAND Female FINISHERS - SKIN

On the women's side, New England swimmers were a force, with 6 swimmers competing:

1.        7:55.46           Charlotte Brynn        50       Stowe VT

5.        9:19:06           Kellie Latimer            30       Norwood, MA

6.        9:21:10           Daniela Klaz               24       Jamaica Plain, MA

7.        9:21:10           Hillary Rodriguez       28       Jamaica Plain, MA

9.        9:45:06           Julie Burnett               50       Stoneham, MA

10.       10:36:54       Paula Yankauskas         61       Hyde Park, VT

NEW ENGLAND Male FINISHERS - SKIN

3.        9:03:10         Patrick McDermot       51       Salem, NH

4.        10:04:18       William Larkins           22       Freeport, ME

5.        10:42:19       Ian Grimmer                47       Middlebury, VT

10 Mile Non Championship – WetSuit

FEMALE

1.        4:57:48       Gabi Redford        49       Annapolis, MD
2.        5:08:33       Elaine Scholtz       54       Campton, NH

MALE

1.        5:07:35       Herve Hamon          54       Norwalk, CT
2.        6:01:31       Thomas Whalen       50       St. Louis, MO

6.2 Mile (10 km) - Skin

Female

1.        2:32:25       Jen Olsen                 45       Millis, MA
2.        2:36:22       Alana Aubin             26       Watertown, MA
3.        2:54:16       Katharine Owen       37       Arlington, MA

Male

1.        2:14:39       Eric Nilsson                   29       Weston, MA
2.        2:30:03       Mark Loftis                    56       New York, NY
3.        2:31:25       Christopher Cowley       24       Brookline, MA

6.2 Mile (10 km) - Wetsuit

Female

1.        3:08:47       Melissa Ossanna          47       Bar Harbor, ME
2.        3:34:30       Tamara Takoudes        46        Needham, MA
3.        3:48:17       Maria Beconi              53        Bedford, MA 

Male

1.        3:06:02       Michael McGurk       56       Sudbury, MA 

3.1 MILE (5 km) - SKIN

Female

1.       1:17:45       Merin Troutman       42       Mystic, CT
2.       1:30:13       Emily Boerger           21       Kingston, MA
3.       1:31:50       Hilary Sullivan          35       Roslindale, MA

Male

1.        1:33:05       Lawton Harper        49       Center Conway, NH
2.        1:34:36       David Bentley         48       Winchester, MA
3.        1:39:36       George Boerger       55       Kingston, NY

3.1 Mile (5 km) - Wetsuit

Female

1.        1:17:34       Laura Delorey          53       Westminster, MA
2.        1:34:46       Francine Amyot       52       St-Romuald, QC
3.        1:38:34       Kay Thomas            49       Duxbury, MA

Male

1.        1:18:52       Bruce Mohl        70       Bonita Springs, FL 

1 Mile - Skin

Female

1.        0:23:54       Renee Reiser         49       Annapolis, MD
2.        0:26:45       Julie Wolf              31       Hoboken, NJ
3.        0:31:59       Jennifer Olaru       45       Dorset, VT

Male

1.        0:23:38       Andrew Grannell       69       Annapolis, MD
2.        0:27:01       Andre Cote                55       Lévis, QC
3.        0:27:17       Matthew Marcy         48       Bluemont, VA