Morrison, Weigand conquer 3-mile swim

Evan Morrison

Evan Morrison

Courtney Weigand

Evan Morrison and Courtney Weigand were forced to combat choppy seas on Saturday to win Saturday’s Semana Nautica 3-mile ocean swim along Santa Barbara’s waterfront.

“That was a tough swim,” Morrison said. “There was, it seemed like, probably a two-foot chop just consistently coming into my head so it’s hard not get a mouth full of saltwater every breath you take.”

Morrison won with a time of one hour, 14 minutes and 30 seconds. Weigand, who competed at the 2008 Olympic Trials for open-water swimming, was second overall in 1:15.57.

While the morning wind added to the chop, the bright sun also caused problems.

“I could see the lead paddler the whole way,” Weigand explained. “I just wanted to make sure I didn’t lose him because I couldn’t see anything. The glare was so bad, the yellow buoys just blended right in. It was hard to see.”

“That’s what makes it fun though. It’s exciting, an adventure.”

Ed Smith placed third and Kristina Hill fourth. Katherine Warren came in fifth.

RESULTS

2012 Semana Nautica 3-Mile Swim Results