California leads way in Ocean Challenge

Advertiser Staff

With a running start, Seiji Iinuma of Japan grabbed equipment and headed for the water at Makapuëu Beach as part of the Surf Rescue Swim competition in yesterday's Hawaiian International Ocean Challenge. Participants swam out 100 yards with a rescue tube to another team member whom they then pulled back to shore. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

California won two of yesterday's four events, and has 117 1/2 points entering the final day of competition today at Kailua Beach. Australia is second with 115 points, followed by defending champion New Zealand (105 1/2) and Hawai'i (78).

California won the swim relay and the surf-rescue swim. In the swim relay, Heidi Hannenian gave California a big lead in the women's leg, and the other six members of the team held it the rest of the way.

In the surf-rescue swim, the California tandem of Anthony Vela and Blaine Morgan captured first place. In that race, one partner has to play "victim" 100 yards off shore, while the other swims out for the "rescue."

Australia won yesterday's other two events. World champion Dean Gardiner won the 4.3-mile kayak race and Heath Collie won the 3.4-mile paddleboard race.

GOLF

Hapuna pair leads on Maui: Hapuna Golf Club's Kevin Carll and Ron Castillo Jr. shot opening-round 68s to take a one-stroke lead yesterday at the Maui Open at the Village Course at Kapalua.

Maui Country Club's Brad Bowen is in second.

Kapalua's Jonathan Galarita, Makena's Brian Sasada, Hilo Municipal's Kevin Hayashi and Wailea's Eddie Lee are two shots back at 70.

GYMNASTICS

Wong wins: Elyse Wong of the Kokokahi Gymnastics Team won the uneven bars at the San Juan International Gymnastics Festival held May 25-27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The 16-year-old also placed second on the floor exercise en route to a fourth place finish in the all-around.