VanRutten and Hazen sweep at the 3rd Annual Bonaire Ecoswim

Submitted by Christena Pazos KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE

(November 8, 2003) Saturday morning's scattered drizzles did nothing to lessen Bonaire's underwater beauty, nor did they deter 16-year-old Vincent VanRutten, of neighboring Curacao, from cruising to victory for the third year in a row. VanRutten, who is a national record holder in his country, won both the metric mile in 20 minutes and 28 seconds, and the Deep Blue 5K in 1 hour, nineteen minutes and 33 seconds. The top female finisher and second overall in both events was Lisa Hazen, age 39, from Saratoga, CA, who competed on the open water pro-circuit from '94 to '99. Competing in this event for the first time, the 3-time Waikiki winner and course record holder, finished the mile in 22 minutes and 3 seconds, and the 5K in 1 hour, 25 minutes and 2 seconds.

Over 60 swimmers competed in both the solo and fins divisions of Bonaire's 3rd Annual Ecoswim which offered two separate courses beginning from the pier at Buddy Dive Resort, continuing along protected coral reefs that surround the island and crossing the 800 foot deep blue channel to the uninhabited gem of Klein Bonaire.

From the talented field, English Channel winner ('99) Gail Rice, age 47, of Miami, FL and former World Record holder (50m free) Carol Carr, age 40, of Franklin, TN tied for third overall in the 5k with a time of 1 hour, 30 minutes and 33 seconds. The former Canadian Olympian ('84) Carr and open water champion Rice, raced neck and neck down the stretch, and in a show of great sportsmanship and camaraderie, they stopped one foot short of the finish line and crossed holding hands.

Tim Kennedy, age 47, of St. Petersburg, FL finished 3rd overall in the metric mile with a time of 23 minutes and 45 seconds, then repeated with a 4th place overall finish in the 5k in 1 hour, 32 minutes and 14 seconds. Rounding out the other top five finishers, Barbara Milanese, age 41, of Boca Raton, FL finished 4th in the mile in 24 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Bill Dick, age 57, of Fulton, CA who crossed at 26 minutes and 14 seconds. Silvie Ketelaars, age 19, of Curacao finished 5th overall in the 5k in a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 17 seconds.

In addition to sweeping the two solo events, the VanRutten family brought along new ammunition in the form of two younger brothers, Patrick and Brian. Like his older brother, Patrick VanRutten, age 13, won both the mile and 5k in the fins division with times of 21 minutes and 52 seconds, and 1 hour, 30 minutes and 5 seconds.

Chris Gilligan from Sarasota, FL, daughter of Max Wharton who was the stunt double for Tarzan (Johnny Weismueller), was the top female fins finisher for the mile in a time of 26 minutes and 10 seconds. Top female fins for the 5k was a native from Bonaire, Esther Wiegerink, age 35, in a time of 1 hour and 39 minutes.

Swimmers from all over the United States, Europe, South America and the Caribbean joined to compete in this growing event and to soak up this tiny paradise where families of donkeys roam freely, where there are no traffic lights and whose underwater diversity and beauty is ranked among the top in the world. Samer Salty, age 39, came from London, England to participate in the 5k after only learning to swim freestyle two months ago. Janet Reiser and best friend, Karen Ford, both traveled all the way from Alaska and 8 swimmers make the worthwhile trek from Tennessee. Winners in each of the divisions won wonderful, unique awards that were designed and hand painted by a local artist.

Sponsors of the event include The Victor Swimwear and Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association, BONHATA, whose staff and volunteers, led by Diana Sint Jago, organized all of the local logistics, including boat safety, pre-race dinner at Rum Runners and the awards.

For more information on this and other races organized by Randy Nutt, log on to www.randynutt.com.