2023 Balnagowan OWS Report
The annual North Mackay Sinkers OWS is held on the first Sunday in November each year. This year’s race on Sunday 5th of November dawned with clear skies, zero wind and welcome temperatures in the water, and out. Some 49 swimmers registered for the annual event made up of 33 females and 16 males.
Distances offered were the 1.25 k which included an aided swimmer section (flippers, buoys) a 2.5k distance and the main event a challenging 5k swim that includes the “King and Queen” of the river title. This year the club sponsored new perpetual trophies for the King & Queen events as well as similar trophies for the 14-18 year section.
Results are in and we have 3 new reigning champions in the 5 k event, we welcome Ben Miles as the open age male winner of the 5 k event in a time of 1:21:52. Samantha Sticklan is the 2023 open age female winner of the 5k event in a time of 1:31:04. The sole junior swimmer Zara Richardson was successful in the 14-18yo 5k event with a fantastic time of 1:25:10.
Results are line honour based not age group based. (Full results available below.)
|
5K event |
2.5 k event |
1.25 k event |
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|
Female Place |
Female Place |
Female Place |
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|
1 |
Richardson, Zara(14-18) |
1:25:10 |
1 |
Single, Linda |
40:46 |
1 |
Enright, Toni |
26:58 |
||
|
2 |
Sticklan, Samantha |
1:31:04 |
2 |
Karen, Chandler |
43:11 |
2 |
Guye, Lucy |
28:22 |
||
|
3 |
Shuttlewood, Sarah |
1:39:16 |
3 |
Taylor, Megan |
47:56 |
3 |
Casanovas, Rebecca |
28:26 |
||
|
4 |
Walker, Jody |
1:41:25 |
Male Place |
Male Place |
||||||
|
Male Place |
1 |
Craven, Pierre |
43:58 |
1 |
Stampa, Daniel |
28:13 |
||||
|
1 |
Miles, Ben |
1:21:52 |
2 |
Barrett, John |
54:03 |
2 |
Nicholas, Davis |
28:18 |
||
|
2 |
Dalton, Nigel |
1:41:10 |
3 |
Wonnocott, Murray |
57:24 |
3 |
Chappell, Adam |
31:03 |
||
The event was well supported in and out of the water by swimmers, water safety volunteers and numerous club members assisting to deliver a smooth well-run event. It was fantastic to see regular swimmers at this event as well as a brace of new competitors taking on the shorter and longer distances for the first time.
The club would like to thank the following groups for support both technical and operational. Masters Swimming Qld, Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Rowing club, Mackay Triathlon club, Mackay Canoe Club, Triactiv8 and local and traveling Masters members for delivering services and resources to allow the event to proceed.
The 2024 event is tentatively scheduled for Sunday November 3rd 2024 and the picturesque location is a fantastic place to swim and test your skills.
The club is considering a format change for 2024 as well as contemplating delivering another OWS in a unique location, Stay tuned!
OWS Results:
Open female 5 k winner, Samantha Sticklan (2023 Queen)
14 – u18 yo 5 k winner, Zara Richardson (2023 Princess)
Open male 5 k winner Ben Miles (Oldphins – MSQ, 2023 King)
