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SSC to host Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series
Saipan Swim Club members’ last competitive meet was the 2020 Meek & Mighty Ocean Swim in February last year that saw Jinnosuke Suzuki, pictured here, top the open water swim. (Mark Rabago)
The Saipan Swim Club will be holding three open water swims beginning July 10 that will serve as a qualifier for the 2021 FINA World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this coming December.
Called the Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series, it will be sanctioned by the Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation and aside from SSC swimmers, members of the Swimming Center Tsunami Saipan have also been invited to join.
The July 10 race will be held in the waters off the West Coast Restaurant and 500 Sails beach and will have seven races—20m for beginners, 50m for intermediate, 100m for advanced, 500m open, 1,000m open, 1,500m open, and the 1,000m World Championship qualifier only for selected swimmers. An awards ceremony will be held after the race. The second and third parts of the Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series will be held on July 24 and Sept. 25.
SSC coach Richard Sikkel said the Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series will mark his club’s return to competitive action since the Meek and Mighty Swim way back in February 2020.
“I expect all swimmers to put in 110% of effort and challenge each other to swim faster. Since this is the first in a three-race series I am hoping that as organizers we can work out all the kinks so that we can have a smooth running race that sets a high standard and fair conditions for the swimmers. As for the swimmers, I expect them to feel out the competition and give them a goal to train toward,” he said.
Registration and more information about the Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series can be accessed via https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=245400&fbclid=IwAR3XlL3pWz_18fuf8eqNeOf3RkxLeKQGqwFqONkY1IJuxvNKskwAlx-ItS4.
