It was an action packed weekend for the swimming community- a 5k swim and two clinics for younger swimmers.

The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) was pleased to host international swimmer Emily Brunneman. Emily was named the USA Swimming Female Open Water Swimmer of the Year by CSCAA Scholar All-America in 2010 and more recently, her experienced career has lead her to be selected as the Unión Americana de Natación (UANA or the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas) athlete representative for the open water technical committee. Also, on hand lending his expertise was Denny Ryther, Chairman of UANA.  Denny heads a committee responsible for the preparation and execution of competitive and safe international open water swimming events. These two individuals held two clinics for young swimmers focusing on open water technique and skill sets swimmers should look to achieve to be successful in distance swimming.

Together with 49 other swimmers, Emily competed in the 35th Annual Pirates Week 5K swim, sponsored by KPMG. It was a beautiful morning on Seven Mile Beach with lovely conditions for the swim. Competitors ranging from young swimmers hoping to compete internationally were given the opportunity for some great experience navigating markers and contending with a slight current, to an older contender who never swam in an open water race and who was thrilled to compete in the four loop swim.

Emily maintained pace with local swimmers John Bodden and Eddie Webber for the first two loops pulling slightly ahead by the third loop.  She won the race in a time of 1.05.10.  Second and third place was well fought between John Bodden and Eddie Weber with John (1.06.41) edging out Eddie (1.06.42) by 1/100 of a second.  Rory Barrett rounded out the top 3 male finishers in a time of 1.10.59. Completing the top three females finishers were Catriona MacRae (1.11.11) and Ria Plunkett (1.12.51).

Commenting on the race, Emily Brunneman said, “This morning was a beautiful race and very well run!  I saw a sea turtle, two huge stingrays and my favourite fish!”

Representing KPMG at the swim was Tim Achtstatter.  Tim, a Director with KPMG, who is very involved in the swimming community, volunteered as a sea marshal and was on hand to present the awards to the swimmers.  Commenting on the event, Tim stated,

“KPMG is immensely proud to partner with CIASA, as we share the same vision, passion and determination for swimmers to excel. The development of the 5K swim has done extremely well over the years and we promote the growth and enthusiasm for this event and those who have participated.”

Race Director and CIASA Board Member, Sandy Hew commented, “Together with our sponsors, KPMG and Pirates Week, CIASA is proud to continue the tradition of the Pirates Week 5K swim.  We also would like to thank Ann Stafford who has kept a wonderful history of swimming to include the 5K races.  The original 5k swim held in 1980, organized by Raglan Roper, started at the George Town dock and finished at Galleon Beach (now the Westin/ Villas of the Galleon).”

Full results are posted on www.ciasa.ky .

The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) is a volunteer, not for profit association dedicated to furthering the interests of all aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands. CIASA is the recognised Governing Body of aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands and is a member of FINA, UANA, CCCAN and the CIOC. For more information on CIASA please visit www.ciasa.ky .