The weather didn't seem to discourage the 500 competitors in Race 13 of the Takapuna State Beach Series on Tuesday night.
Blustery winds gusting well over 15 knots made it challenging for the 1km ocean swimmers.
North shore youngster Jackson Cropp mastered the conditions despite the strong head winds. Croppled the pack home in 12m 20", 18 seconds ahead of Sean Newcombe with New Zealand triathlete Torenzo Bozzone back in third.
Johanna O'Connor clinched her second win of the series coming in with a time of 12m 44". Danielle McKenzie placed second with Nicole Rosewarne back in third.
In the Womens 5km run Tara La Grange kept her perfect record making this her 13th win of the series. She looked in control from start to finish taking out 1st place in 20m 28". In the men's division Cam Bennett surged to the front in the final leg to lead the field home in 18m 14".
The 3km stand up paddleboard race was a real thriller this week. Jeremy Stephenson ranked 5th in the world, led the field on the first lap but was overtaken by NZ windsurfer JP Tobin in the final leg. Tobin came in with a time of 18m 02" followed by Jeremy Stevenson and Troy Mcasey.
Annabel Anderson paddled strongly in the conditions finishing closely behind the men winning the women's race with ease in 18m 20". Stacey Smith finished second with Vesna Radonicj back in third.
Tim Mclaren held his own against Garren Cooper in the 5km Surf ski paddle finishing one second ahead of Cooper in 27m24" with Oskar Stielau back in third.
