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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 12, 2002

Rust, Moran circle island off Kailua Beach to win ocean race

By Mike Tymn
Special to The Advertiser

Winning an ocean swim doesn't always mean moving through the water with the speed and grace of a dolphin. There are times when it's better to maneuver like a crab.

"I crabbed it around the island," said Kenny Rust, a 42-year-old lifeguard captain, after winning the Kailua Popoi'a 1.75-mile ocean swim at Kailua Beach yesterday morning. Rust was referring to Popoi'a Island, otherwise known as Flat Island.

While most of the swimmers swam wide around the island, Rust went over the rocks next to it and pulled away, winning by nearly a minute-and-a-half in 31 minutes, 56.7 seconds. Clint Trocchio, 26, was second in 33:21.9, while Felix Gmuender, a 53-year-old visitor from Switzerland, was third, another five seconds back.

Samantha Moran, a 16-year-old Waipahu High School junior, finished fourth overall in winning the women's race in 33:47.1.

"We really beat up on each other going around the island," said Moran. "The waves were pretty huge out there."

Esther Iseppi, a 43-year-old Swiss, finished runner-up in 33:59. Kristin Simunovich, 18, was third in 35:17.4.

With 85 swimmers, the race got under way at 9. A pack of seven matched strokes for most of the first mile. "The wind was against us but the current was with us going down, and so it felt pretty easy," said Rust, who began edging away after making the turn around the first buoy and heading for the island.

Rust appeared to have about a 20-yard lead as the swimmers disappeared behind the island. When Rust emerged on the other side of the island, his lead had more than doubled.

"Coming in, the current was like 'ugh,' " Rust said.

"I played it safe and took a middle route around the island," Moran said.

Several competitors were using the race as a workout in preparation for the United States Masters Swimming National Short-Course Championship at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. The four-day event begins Tuesday.