Records tumble as Obaid Al Jesmi and Tracy Barbar clinch Mina Mile titles
Over 225 swimmers take to the open seas to compete
Local National swimmer and the eldest of the Al Jesmi brothers from ADNOC Abu Dhabi, won the title for a second time in 3 years at the 3rd Mina Mile Open Water Swimming Race, which took place on Friday morning at the Mina Club at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina. Pushed all the way by his younger brother Faisal (16), Obaid crossed the finish line 25 seconds ahead of Faisal and 39 seconds ahead of third place youngster Cody Duncan (14). Tracy Barbar, the first woman to finish and in seventh place overall with a new course record for the woman’s mile, had a bit more breathing space between herself and Maria Moussievska in second and Kimberley Hall in third.
Organised by Super Sports Event Management Services, the Mina Mile is now established as an annual event on the swimming calendar of most competitive and social swimmers in the UAE. The third Mina Mile competition saw individual athletes and relay teams compete head to head in the Arabian Gulf waters in front of Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina in Dubai, UAE. Swimmers and Teams from Dubai Swim, Dubai Tri Club, Active Sports Academy, Sharjah English Speaking School, ADNOC Abu Dhabi, Hayya Club, Le Royal Meridien Dubai, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Shangri La Abu Dhabi and various other individuals and institutions made up the 225 strong field.
As temperatures soared, competitors ran splashing into the cool waters, as friends and family members watched on from the beach front. The race course, sheltered by The Palm Jumeirah and the Marina, offered pristine, flat and calm waters all day, ensuring all swimmers a safe and enjoyable swim.
Sponsored by ARENA and Sun and Sands Sports, with co-sponsors including Nestle, Pocari Sweat, Connector Magazine, Club Mina and Dubai Tri Club, the main event of the one-day swimming festival was the Mina Mile, a one mile (1600 metre) swim, divided into four male and female aged categories.
Kimberley Hall (24.01) and Faisal Al Jesmi (21.48) recorded new course records in the 18 years and under event for girls and boys respectively. Maria Moussievska (23.35) and Obaid Al Jesmi (21.23) emerged from the waters victorious in the 19-30 years category, Tracy Barbar (22.50 - new course record) and Noel Kirkaldy (24.10) took top places in the 31-45 years heat, while Petra Faber (28.02 new course record) and Martin Hodge (26.47) were the winners of the 46 years and over race.
A number of other swim races were also held at the Mina Club annual swimming event, including a combined 200 metre swim for those aged 12 and younger which was won by Jasmin Brennan in a time of 3 minutes 38 seconds. A two category male and female 800 metre swim for ages 16 and under, won in new course record times by Faisal Al Jesmi (11.23) and Sophia Rodd (12.24) and the 17 and over event, also won in new record times by joint men’s winners Konstantine Bushmelev and Saeed Al Jesmi in 11.29 while Moe Aung secured the ladies win in 12.48.
The relay races proved a lot of fun for all junior and senior schools, swim clubs, companies, individual teams and families. The relay races saw teams of four swimmers competing over an 800 metre course, with each team member having to swim 200 metres. The 12 years and under was won by Dubai Swim Teenies, 13 to 16 years saw Dubai Swim Teenies 2 emerge victorious while the Open relay was won by the Al Jesmi brothers.
“The Mina Mile is now an annual event that many competitive and social swimmers look forward to. Not only does it give the swimmers a chance to measure their swimming abilities in the open seas, but also against the best in their age group. It also provides a fun day out for all the family,” said Warren van der Merwe, managing director of event organiser, Super Sports.
“We are thrilled with the response to this year’s event and hope that the Mina Mile will continue to be enjoyed as a great sporting event for many years to come,” he added.
All entrants received an event t-shirt and all those who finish their respective events received a finishers medal as well. First, second and third place finalists in all events received prizes, vouchers and sponsored products to the value of over AED 15,000 from Sun and Sand Sports / Arena, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Pocari Sweat, Connector, Dubai Tri Club and Nestle.
Results of all events:
200m – 12 years & Under
1. Jasmin Brennan 3.38
2. Marcus Bell 4.03
3. Alice Kirkaldy 4.04
800m – 16 years & under Boy’s
1. Faisal Al Jesmi 11.23 new course record
2. Ahmed Ali 11.43
3. Neal Thomson 12.08
800m – 16 years & under Girls
1. Sophia Rodd 12.24 new course record
2. Gemma Sammut 12.56
3. Pinja Vilaharju 12.58
800m – 17 years & over Men
1. Konstantine Bushmelev 11.29 new course record
Saeed Al Jesmi 11.29 new course record
3. Noel Kirkaldy 12.10
800m – 17 years & over Ladies
1. Moe Aung 12.48 new course record
2. Margarita Vishivestkaya 15.48
3. Mar Ann Nillas 15.54
MILE LADIES OVERALL
1. Tracy Barbar 22.50 new course record
2. Maria Moussievska 23.35
3. Kimberley Hall 24.01
MILE MEN OVERALL
1. Obaid Al Jesmi 21.23
2. Faisal Al Jesmi 21.48
3. Cody Duncan 22.02
MILE 18 AND UNDER GIRLS
1. Kimberley Hall 24.01 new course record
2. Carina Rodd 26.00
3. Simone Madigan 31.00
MILE 18 AND UNDER BOYS
1. Faisal Al Jesmi 21.48 new course record
2. Cody Duncan 22.02
3. Maxence Adam 22.03
MILE 19 TO 30 YEARS LADIES
1. Maria Moussievska 23.35
2. Kerry McMaster 25.12
3. Jessica Robertson 28.35
MILE 19 TO 30 YEARS MEN
1. Obaid Al Jesmi 21.23
2. Ben Parnell 22.32
3. Saeed Al Jasmi 22.55
MILE 31 TO 45 YEARS LADIES
1. Tracy Barbar 22.50 new course record
2. Niamh Carr 24.30
3. Christie O’Higgins 26.04
MILE 31 TO 45 YEARS MEN
1. Noel Kirkaldy 24.10
2. Upal Shantha 25.48
3. Seah Kiat 26.21
MILE 46 YEARS AND OVER LADIES
1. Petra Faber 28.02 new course record
2. Joy Wehlburg 30.52
3. Jean Lineham 32.38
MILE 46 YEARS AND OVER MEN
1. Martin Hodge 26.47
2. Behzad Ahadpour 27.20
3. Frank Rice 28.41
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