Swart won the women's race in 25 minutes, 3 seconds, while Sakamoto was the first male finisher in 23:32.

"I just swam it conservatively," said Swart, a Kaiser High School grad and a sophomore-to-be at University of San Diego. "I wasn't trying to swim all out because we're tapering for Senior Nationals."

Swart, 18, won for the second time and Sakamoto, 17, the third time in the four-race North Shore Swim Series '03.

Both will miss the series finale, the Surf & Sea North Shore Challenge Aug. 9 because of Senior Nationals, dropping them from contention for the series title.

"I just enjoy coming out and swimming some of the races," said Swart, who also missed the July 12 race because of a meet on the Mainland. "Winning is not important to me."

Swart, who beat runner-up Katie Clewett, 19, by 1:48, added that she enjoys the ocean races because they pose more challenges than pool swimming.

"Whoever knows the ocean the best has an advantage," said Swart, an NCAA honorable mention All-American in the 400 IM.

Nicole Hagi, 14, finished third in 27:16.

The women started the triangular-shaped course 10 minutes before the men. The course was changed this year, starting just outside the jump rock.

Competitors swam diagonally across the bay to the first buoy, turning past it on their left sides. The course took them back across the bay and a left around the outer rock on the west side. They then swam through a 15-foot gap between the outer rock and the rock next to it.

"It was hard to swim through because there was a lot of waves compared to the rest of the race," Swart said.

From there, swimmers made a right turn around the final buoy, about 27 yards out in front of the lifeguard tower, and finished with a short run up the beach.

"It was fun," said Sakamoto, who will be a senior at Punahou School. "We were in a tight pack going around the second turn (rocks).

"I thought that would be a good chance to take the lead."

He beat Adam Apprill, 21, by 29 seconds. Pat Foley, 23, finished third in 27:16.

"He's very strong mentally and physically," Swart said of Sakamoto. "He is just awesome at these ocean swims."

Sakamoto returned the praise.

"She beats me sometimes," said Sakamoto, a prep All-American. "I break down a lot during practice."

Despite constant rain, visibility was still clear and conditions were flat.

"There was a lot of fish out today," said Sakamoto.