Kosuke Kitajima’s plans to swim the Waikiki Roughwater swim for the second year in a row. Last year the famed Japanese breaststroke Olympic champions tackled the race and finished within the top 3 in his division.
This race is one of the most iconic races in the open water swimming world. “This is shaping up to be one of the largest Waikiki Roughwater fields in history,” said Kaia Hedlund, race director. “We have over 1050 swimmers who have enter as of the on-line cut off and we’re still taking entries throughout the day at the pre-registration.”
Last year’s men’s champion, reigning Australian 10K champion Rhys Mainstone is back again this year along with fellow Australian Trent Grimsey, who has recently retired from FINA level events, and his brother Ridge Grimsey to lead a strong Aussie contingency. Local men’s favorites include Kacy Johnson who swims for the University of Hawaii. Other swimmers to watch on the men’s side are former Cal swimmer John Dorr and Alex Kostich (who’s won this race 4 times and is competing in his 21st Waikiki Roughwater Swim.
For the women’s field Luane Rowe is the top seed, a woman who’s open water swimming resume includes 3 wins in this race as well as top finishes on the Australian surf lifesaving circuit. Canadian Monkia Eggens along with USMS masters world record holder Katie Glenn will also be among the top in a strong field.
Forecast calls for ideal conditions with a slight favorable current during the race.