Seven times a winner
LONDON Olympian Melissa Gorman claimed her seventh Noosa Blue Water title in commanding style, while Brisbane ocean water specialist, Trent Grimsey dominated the 2km Noosa Blue Water swim on Saturday morning.
After a week of rain, Noosa turned on a superb day with perfect water conditions for the Blue Water Swim and Paddle events.
In the women's field, Olympics-bound Gorman, showed class, and admitted that the win didn't come easy.
"It wasn't a breeze out there today, although I felt like I had a really great race and it was good to come away with a win.
"The rest of the girls were by my side almost the entire time, and I couldn't break away from them, it was hard," said Gorman.
Gorman, who made history t by claiming her seventh Noosa title, rates the Noosa Blue Water swim events as one of her favourites on the race calendar.
The Grimsey brothers once again produced a clean sweep of the Open Male category.
Eldest of the Grimsey team, Trent crossed the finish line in first place ahead of younger brothers Codie and Ridge, in second and third place respectively.
"Everything went to plan and having that wave at the end got me the win. I'm super fit at the moment so I knew it I set a good pace the others would struggle to keep up," said Trent.
The competition between the three brothers was intense with little love lost in the heat of battle.
"We train together so I know how their fitness is tracking, and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses.
"There's a bit of rivalry so it's great to come away with a win," added Trent.
The open water specialist is heading over to Italy in June to race in the World Masters Swimming event.
Later this year Trent plans to take on the challenge of swimming the English Channel and attempting to crack the world record.
"I've got a few more races before I head over to swim the English Channel in September. My next big race is in Italy in June," Trent explained.
"The record for swimming the English Channel is 6 hours 57 minutes, so that's the record I am going for."
The Noosa Paddle kicked off the festival, attracting a solid field in all categories offered - stand-up paddles, outriggers and surf skis.
Martin Kenny was the first across the line in his surf ski, clocking the fastest time in the 20km Noosa Paddle event.
Kenny is in preparations for his 18th Molokai Channel Crossing which is the world championships of ocean paddling, where he finished in second place in the 2002 competition.
Ironman legend Grant Kenny and son Jett Kenny were also competing in the paddle event.
"There was a bit of Kenny family rivalry going on but it was such a great day to get out on the water," Kenny said. "It's always good to come away with a win."
