By Randy Nutt
NETHERLANDS, Antilles, November 14. THE Seventh-Annual Bonaire EcoSwim field of 107 participants, its largest ever, was greeted by sunshine, beautiful skies, and crystal clear waters.
This year's course was new, going north taking the swimmers around a barge, over spectacular and lively reefs, colorful tropical fish, and several sea turtles. Jimmy Welborn 52, from Chattanooga, Tenn., won the 10K in 2:51:13 with 32-year-old Kristi Lee from Idaho taking the 5K in 1:18:12. The 1K and 3K champions ranged in ages from 12-year-old Christiaan Zweers (1K) to open water tough man Doug Hellerson (3K), age 61.
Competitors represented more than 15 U.S. states as well as a large contingent from Venezuela and Bonaire. In addition to the event, swimmers were active socially with the traditional sunset cruise on board the Samur. Also, well attended were celebratory dinners at Capriccio with the best wine cellar in the Caribbean, and several nighttime snorkeling trips under the stars.