Pirates Week 37 th Annual Open Water 5K as sponsored by KPMG

Pirates Week 37 th Annual Open Water 5K as sponsored by KPMG

George Town, Grand Cayman:

Saturday, 11th November, 2017:-

It was a beautiful Saturday morning on Seven Mile Beach with ideal conditions for competitors to race in the four loop swim. The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) was pleased to host international swimmer Stephanie Horner for this special event. Together with 37 other swimmers, Stephanie competed in the 37 th Annual Open Water 5K, sponsored by KPMG.

Stephanie kept the pace with local swimmers John Bodden, Liam Henry and Alex Dacers. She pulled ahead of the pack to win the race in a time of 58:14. John Bodden edged out the rest of the first pack to place second overall (1.03.55). The remainder of the top finishing pack, Liam Henry (3 rd , 1.04.18), Alex Dacers (4 th , 1.04.41) followed by Jordan Crooks and Zachary Moore. Not far behind this group were the second and third womans swimmers, Avery Lambert (2nd, 1.07.32) and Raya Embury-Brown (3rd, 1.08.13), followed by Elana Sinclair and Stephanie Royston.

Stephanie Horner is from Canada and is a freestyle and butterfly specialist. After having won four medals at the 2007 Pan American Games, Horner competed for her native country at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, and at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Horner also made the 2011 Canadian World Championships team, qualifying in the 400-metre individual medley event at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai, China. In 2016, she was officially named to Canada's Olympic team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in the open water swim event. In April 2017, Horner was named to Canada's 2017 World Aquatics Championships team in Budapest, Hungary."

Technical Director, Bailey Weathers, explained why CIASA hosts international swimmers, “In addition to supporting our sponsors by providing a wider audience to Cayman swimming, swimmers like Stephanie Horner really engage with our younger athletes. They provide strong role models and help keep our swimmers motivated.”, he added, “with Stephanie’s experience, she is able to share the bigger picture and what it takes to get there”. Stephanie Horner and Bailey Weathers conducted Open Water clinics for CIASA members the day before the main event with a focus on turns and passing for experienced swimmers and safety and starts for swimmers who were new to open water competitions.

CIASA President, Michael Lockwood stated, “I would like to acknowledge the swimmers who competed in this event and distance for the very first time. Well done on your achievement of this challenging distance." Michael added, "CIASA would also like to congratulate Mr. Frankie Flowers for completing the 5k Sea Swim at 70 years old. He was our oldest competitor and is an inspiration for all swimmers".

KPMG is the headline sponsor for the Pirates Week 5k Sea Swim, which is included in its annual sponsorship package for CIASA to support the goals of the organization. Caymanian swimmer and Olympian, Laura Butler, representing KPMG presented CIASA with a check for CI$15,000 prior to the event. The check was received by CIASA Technical Director, Bailey Weathers, Stephanie Horner and a swimmer from each of the three swim clubs on Grand Cayman. KPMG representative, Samantha Hennings, presented the awards and trophies at the completion of the sea swim.

Sheenah Hislop, KPMG Partner, stated, “KPMG is immensely proud to partner with CIASA, as we share the vision, passion and determination for the swimmers to excel not only in their sport, but to cultivate such positive achievement and inspiration into their real life experiences. We are happy to support CIASA in their efforts.” The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) is a volunteer, not for profit association dedicated to furthering the interests of all aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands.

CIASA is the recognised Governing Body of aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands and is a member of FINA, UANA, CCCAN and the CIOC. For more information on CIASA please visit www.ciasa.ky

Images for the Sea Swim, Clinics and KPMG sponsor ship check presentation can be downloaded from the link:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/KaveLpsdkUdAZJZu1