St Croix Coral Reef Swim Race, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Updated 3/3/09

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SWITZERLAND'S JULIEN BAILLOD WINS
13TH ANNUAL ST CROIX CORAL REEF FIVE MILE SWIM;
TWO MILE SWIM INAUGURATED
2008 Race Results and Finish Line photos

St. Croix, USVI (October 22, 2008) --- Clear blue and pink skies and calm seas set the stage for one of the most beautiful open-water swims in the world on October 19, 2008 in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. Attracting 116 swimmers of all ages and abilities from around the globe, this year's race added an inaugural two-mile event to complement the five-mile swim, in its 13th year.

This year's five-mile winner, hailing from Lausanne, Switzerland, was 28 year old Julien Baillod. Baillod, gold medallist in the 2008 Swiss 10K Open Water Championships and sixth place finisher in the 2008 European 10K Open Water Swimming Championship, crossed the finish line flush with cheering on-lookers and the wafting sounds of steel pan music in a time of 1:46.59.

One minute and one second behind was nine-time Coral Reef Swim winner Alex Kostich, 38, of Los Angeles, in a time of 1:48.00. A Pan American Games gold medallist in the 1500 meter freestyle, Kostich put one minute, 13 seconds between himself and third-place finisher Fran Crippen, 24, 2008 US National Open Water Champion and 2007 Pan American gold medallist in the 10k open water swim in Rio de Janiero. The first woman to cross the palm-trimmed finish line at The Buccaneer resort was 5th place overall winner, Kaela Pettitt, 17, from Washington (2:12.43). The youngest swimmer was 14-year-old St Croix native Bryson Mays, who finished seventh. (2:16.03) The oldest swimmer, a 73 year old from New York, competed in his seventh Coral Reef Swim.

Thirty two-mile swimmers completed a course along the scenic shoreline through the St Croix East End Marine Park. First-place winner Kevin Hensley, 23, of St Croix set the mark for the new race at 49.26. Susan Kasimer from Virginia set the women's record at 1:09.26. Awards were provided for both distances in several divisons and age-groups at a lively beachside awards banquet at The Mermaid Restaurant at The Buccaneer.

Created and organized by Elizabeth Armstrong, general manager of The Buccaneer, the Coral Reef Swim has grown from a local event in 1996 to one attracting an international crowd that includes top swimmers such as Sydney Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman, Amanda Beard, Margaret Holtzer and Rowdy Gaines. But the race is just as attractive to more casual swimming aficionados who revel in the swim's beauty and festive atmosphere. Armstrong commented, "We are especially flattered by the great number of swimmers who return to The Buccaneer year after year to participate. The waters off St Croix are perfect for open water swimming, and the social events that surround the race make it fun for all. This year we again attracted a diverse group, such as San Antonio's Trinity University swim team and Florida's John Ceralo, who swam the English Channel. One five mile swimmer was six months pregnant. Our new two-mile distance, swum concurrently with the five-mile swim, allows first-timers and those who are more comfortable with the shorter distance to experience our beautiful Caribbean waters and be a part of a world-class event."

Proceeds from the swim benefit The Nature Conservancy, which was instrumental in establishing the St Croix East End Marine Park. The race is sponsored and hosted by The Buccaneer, a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Hotels of America. Detailed 2008 results are posted and full information on the October 18, 2009 race will be available soon. Information on hotel packages for the 2009 race are available at www.thebuccaneer.com.

Can't get enough of St. Croix?

Join athletes from around the world for various events on St Croix including the Caribbean Classic Triathlon, an Olympic distance triathlon consisting of a 1500 meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run. Visit StCroixSports.com for more information on this race as well as many fantastic others.

East End Marine Park

East End Marine Park, the first territorial park in the U.S. Virgin Islands, will protect the largest island barrier reef system in the Caribbean. Legislative approval recently made the area an official park. Extending from the high-water mark out three miles (4.8 kilometers), it encompasses 60 square miles (155.4 square kilometers) of offshore coral reef and other marine habitat.

The park includes about five square miles (13 square kilometers) of "no-take areas," which are off limits to any fishing and harvesting. A turtle refuge will extend about a mile (1.6 kilometers) into the Caribbean Ocean from the shoreline of the island's primary hawksbill and green turtle nesting beaches on Jack Bay, Isaac Bay and East End Bay.

Location
The appropriately-named park encompasses the last six miles (10 kilometers) of the eastern end of St. Croix. It includes about 12 miles (20 kilometers) of coastline.

For more information visit East End Marine Park.

HomeSt. Croix 2 & 5-Mile Coral Reef Swim Race 2009

Coral Reef Swim Race, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

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St. Croix 2 & 5-Mile Coral Reef Swim Race 2009