Woman conquers Apolima Challenge

07 April 2018, 12:00AM

Bronwyn Copeland is the overall winner of the Apolima Strait 2018 Challenge.

It was the worst of conditions for the 4th Apolima Strait swim. Three swimmers pulled out mid-way through the swim due to tough conditions. 

Supporters on boats were not immune from difficulties as many became sick from the heaving seas as a result of 25-knot winds in the Strait. 

The battle to the finish required calculating will and strength to get across the line. 

For the first time, Apolima Strait has produced its first female overall winner when Bronwyn Copeland was first across the line in Friday's race. 

Early race leader Noelani Day, of Tonga, was caught up in a trough 4kms from home and ended up going nowhere for a while. The 14-year-old finished strongly once she got inside the reef. 

Andrew Cave finished second and the first male home. 

He was followed by former Manu Samoa High Performance coach Dave Edgar. Other finishers were Alice Sagar, Su Scott and Jacques de Reuck who became the oldest person to swim the Strait at 66 years of age.

07 April 2018, 12:00AM
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