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August
15, 2002
Small field to tackle marathon swim
By BILL LeCONEY Staff Writer, (609) 272-7187, E-Mail
ATLANTIC CITY - The field is smaller but the challenge no less daunting
for a group of international endurance swimmers in Saturday's Atlantic
City Around the Island Swim.
A field of nine professionals was confirmed for the annual 221/2-mile swim
around Absecon Island, which begins at 9 a.m. at Gardners Basin. Two
amateur swimmers and seven relay teams will also attempt the marathon
beginning at 8 a.m.
"To an open-water swimmer, you can't dream up a better course,"
said John Kenny, an Atlantic City Beach Patrol member who will make his
fourth attempt. "You've got three inlets, the ocean, the back bays
that wind around ...
"You've got people cheering you on from their decks. You see people
you know riding out on boats, and all the familiar sights. To me, it
doesn't get more scenic or exciting than this."
Kenny, who recently graduated from Cornell University, has enlisted a
familiar figure as his trainer: former Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan,
who took a solo trek around the island 25 years ago to revive interest in
the swim.
Whelan said this year's event retains the swim's tradition, which began in
1953 as a $200 wager between two Atlantic City lifeguards. The swim is no
longer on the FINA World Cup Marathon circuit, but new director Mike
Giegerich was able to secure an $18,000 race purse. Many of the top
international swimmers - including previous champions Stephane Lecat and
David Meca - are not in the field.
"I think (Giegerich) did some wise things," Whelan said.
"When the money didn't look like it was forthcoming, instead of
trying to just scramble around, he decided to run a smaller but still
first-class event, and build for the future."
Kenny is the sole local swimmer competing for the prize money, and the
only American male in the field. Other confirmed professionals are Igor
Majcen of Slovenia, the third-place finisher in 1999; Enrique Alvarado of
Mexico; Andrian Bonomi of Argentina; Tim Conway of Canada; Rafael Perez of
Argentina; Shelley Clark of Australia; Yuko Matsuzaki of Japan; and Gail
Rice of the United States.
"When you get an international field like this, the guys are going to
be pretty fast," Kenny said. "It's not like I'm going to run
away with it. There's still some very talented people here, but it's not
as dense as a world championship race."
Wildwood's Kara Manlandro is one of the two amateurs in the swim, along
with Nick Grossman.
Race officials said good weather is expected for Saturday. An incoming
tide at the Absecon inlet could affect the lead swimmers as they make the
turn for the final leg back to Gardners Basin.
To e-mail Bill LeConey at The Press:
WLeconey@pressofac.com
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