A pod of 6 dolphins kept the crowd entertained as the first swimmers approached the last buoy. I think they were dolphins… Thomas Evans, Marcus Hall and Brenden Hall (Paralympian) are the first three to hit the beach - only a short run to the finish… Thomas Evans wins 20-29 category in 25:30 – Marcus Hall wins 13-15 category in 25:32. Brenden Hall approaches the chute – Jack Burnham chasing… Brenden Hall – 30 metres to go, falls – 2m short of the line. Jack Burnham closes, Brenden LEAPS in the air – leaves his crutches – and hops for the line. Jack finishes second in 13-15 category in 25:59 – Brenden Hall 3rd in 13-15 category in 26:00. More on Brenden Hall here

I got caught up in the sheer ‘guts’ of this effort - forgot the camera – and applauded… totally missed Adrian van der Zant, 2nd in 20-29 in 27:03. I turn back to the race… There’s a familiar face – already in the chute - rip off 10 shots -  and actually get one in focus… John Polson takes 3rd place in 20-29 category in 27:40. Don’t know why he’s puffed – he’s not taking the pictures…

Click any one of the thumbnails (below) to enlarge, then scroll. More photos under ‘Continue Reading’

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13 Pros started - results below. Faces in the crowd… John Polson, showing his disdain for the camera and Coach Chris Laing from Science of Sport, getting ready for the teams event. He can coach – but he can’t spell… Click any one of the thumbnails (below) to enlarge, then scroll. More photos under ‘Continue Reading’

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Our thanks to Nicolas Favan in Noumea for these pictures, we will concentrate on Australian & NZL competitors. Most of these pix were shot in vertical format, and are cropped here, purchases will be supplied in full frame. So, where was our man while all this was happening? Nicolas found him, sitting in the gutter, muttering something about a valve extender (see last image). Click any one of the thumbnails (below) to enlarge, then scroll. More photos under ‘Continue Reading’.

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