ARMIDALE’S Jay Kennedy took honours in the 2km Copeton Freshwater Swim on Saturday, but it was Barnaby Joyce who stole the limelight.
The New England MP stripped down to his swimmers and battled his way through the water to finish the 2km event in about 47 minutes – about middle of the pack.
One wag in the crowd said he was glad Mr Joyce didn’t don “budgie smuglers” like his cabinet colleague Tony Abbott.
Despite some of the jokes at the MP’s expense, particularly as he came out of the water looking for oxygen, Mr Joyce’s performance was considered excellent for a man of his age and size.
Ballina’s Julian Aenishaenslin and Caniaba’s Madeline Nilon asserted their dominance at the Copeton Freshwater Swim.
Aenishaenslin completed the men’s 5km swim in a time of 1hr.07.41 and Nilon the women’s 5km swim in 1hr.15.
Kennedy, from Tilbuster near Armidale, and Ellie Camilleri, from Tamworth, won the New England Mutual 2km swim events in 28.03 minutes and 30.26 respectively.
Ironman Ky Hurst proved a perfect ambassador, providing plenty of tips and encouragement for the newcomers to open water swimming as he swam with them in the 600m event.
