Swimming: Radford races to third in close finish

Nathan Capp wins the State King of the Bays. Photo / Simon Watts / BW Media

Rotorua swimmer Kane Radford has finished third in the final race of the national State Ocean Swim Series - claiming third overall on the series ladder.

The State King of the Bays, the final race of the series, was held at Takapuna on the North Shore at the weekend.

But the day belonged to Nathan Capp (Tauranga) who won the $5000 prize for winning the final race and the series on Saturday.

Fresh from his record-breaking feats at the New Zealand Open Swimming Championships last week, Capp claimed the national Ocean Swim Series title after a thrilling finish in the season-ending race.

One of four swimmers with a chance to claim the overall title and the $5000 first prize heading into the final event, it was Capp who was out of the blocks the fastest in the most challenging conditions faced by the swimmers this season.

Driving rain and choppy seas made navigation tough, but the 22-year-old seemed unfazed as he rounded the first mark four body-lengths clear of his nearest challenger.

However, he was soon caught and a five-strong lead group quickly formed, gradually pulling away from the field.

By the halfway mark, pre-race favourite Yasunari Hirai had worked his way to the front and, as the leaders approached the final mark, the Japanese Olympian looked to be the man to beat. As they rounded the last marker, Hirai and Capp were neck and neck, with New Zealand Open Water champion Radford and series leader Philip Ryan hot on their heels.

As the quartet hit the beach it was Capp who was quickest, sprinting across the sand to claim victory by five seconds. Hirai edged Radford for second.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Webby (New Plymouth) is also $5000 better off after claiming the overall series victory in the women's event. Webby had to settle for second behind Emma Robinson (Wellington) on Saturday but still took out the series.

- 2015 State King of the Bays results: Men: Nathan Capp (Tauranga) 29:54, Yasunari Hirai (Japan) 29:59, Kane Radford (Rotorua) 30:00. Women: Emma Robinson (Wellington) 31:59, Charlotte Webby (New Plymouth) 31:59, Stefannie Gillespie (Dunedin) 33:09.