Swimming

Nearly 250 athletes take part in the first sea swimming Lý Sơn Cross Island tournament on May 28. Photos of organisers

HÀ NỘI — The open sea swimming competition on Lý Sơn Islands was highly appreciated for its organisation and preparation as it was held for the first time in Quảng Ngãi Province last weekend.

In its inaugural race, nearly 250 athletes, locals and foreigners, swam in the middle of the sea paradise and overcame ancient craters and millions of years of volcanic sediment as well as diverse coral reefs.

They were guided by a special corridor made of national flags from the start to the finish of the three-category competition entitled Lý Sơn Cross Island.

Khoa Sun and Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang won the men's and women's 5km, respectively.

Võ Trí Trung and Trần Thanh Bình were winners of the men's and women's 2km classes.

Nguyễn Đăng Khoa and Đặng Linh Giang topped the men's and women's 1km divisions.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang won the title in the women's 5km class.

"Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated today, especially to Trang and Vi, my two incredible female opponents. It was an absolute honour to be on the podium with you both. Thank you so much to the organisers and to the Lý Sơn government for allowing such an awesome event to take place! Today was amazing!" Maxine Margaret Sutton, who finished second in the women's 5km, posted on the event's facebook page.

"A great swim at Lý Sơn Islands. It is a tough route between two islands and I met with an ocean current in the middle of the way that forced many swimmers to face DNF (did not finish) status. But it was really a memorable competition," said Lương Ngọc Duy, who took part in the men's 5km. "About Lý Sơn, no words can describe the beauty of the sea and island. It was so wonderful, the people are friendly, food is delicious, garlic beer, garlic wine served with seaweed salad is the best. Despite my third place overall, I was very satisfied and happy to be able to swim with people."

“I had a special visit to the island. The amazing swimming route, the crystal clear water beach, coral reefs and fish. There are ocean currents and jellyfish but they are a fun part of sea swimming. I will be back to swim on Lý Sơn next season," said 5km-route participant Nguyễn Văn An from Hải Phòng.

Khoa Sun finished first in the men's 5km category.

"The highlight of the swimming route is the corridor of the national flags. Swimming while watching the national flag waving made me very proud, feel secure and love our sea and island more," said swimmer Nguyễn Trường Sơn from Hà Nội.

According to Lê Văn Ninh, vice chairman of the Lý Sơn District People's Committee, the local authority and staff of the Green Path Joint Stock Company inspected and evaluated the route last year. They then decided to organise the event after months of preparation.

Ninh believed that sea swimming will be an annual event and a special experience tourism product of Lý Sơn. VNS