Lee Launches North Coast to Relay Win

A thrilling anchor leg from Australian Dolphin Kyle Lee has headlined the action on Day 3 of the Australian Open Water Championships, with the West Australian producing an inspired final lap to steer North Coast to Gold in the Open Mixed 4x1500m relay.

Lee capitalised on the foundations laid by his North Coast teammates Jack Wilson, Chloe Truscott and Rosie Wilson to seal the victory for the Perth based club.

The tactics and strategy typical of the mixed relay format were again on display in Busselton, with North Coast opting for the female-female-male-male order which ultimately paid dividends.

Lee had a considerable margin to draw back at the beginning of his leg but timed his run to perfection, employing his powerful kick to find clear water in the final straight and coast to victory in front of a home crowd.

The visiting Japan team of Riku Ezawa, Kaito Tsujimori, Ichika Kajimoto and Miku Kojima placed second ahead of Yeronga Park’s team of Dougal Richmond, Chelsea Gubecka, Jacqueline Davison-McGovern and Kai Portas and the Westside Christchurch squad of Max Coten, Josie Page, Bianca Monaco and Byron Kimber.

In the earlier race the UWA West Coast team of Javier Marginet, Yohanna Jackson, Alice Massey and Benjamin Manning made it a West Australian relay double with Gold in the Mixed 14-15 years 4x1500m event.

Risabh Arcot, Nicholas Marcher, Abbie Clay and Miriam Gauld of Revesby Workers placed second ahead of the Scarborough Beach team of Eleanor Flowers, Kaitlyn Brown, Nicholas Kryachok, and Lucas Fazari.

Tomorrow’s fourth and final day of racing at the Australian Open Water Championships will see competitors take to the water in the 5km events.