Arms Galore!

By Robin Schaefer

Working closely with the Corinthian Yacht Club, Ingo Schreiber as the faithful liaison, RCP Events, Inc. with Corinthian member Bob Placak (and the Town of Tiburon) again successfully orchestrated the annual RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim. Growing in popularity and with an increase in the number and the quality of its registered entrants, the event attracted 630 swimmers from seventeen countries, 200 volunteers, and at least 1,000 spectators.

Building on the previous years' experiences, event organizers relocated the registration, massage, food, first aid and stage to the Tiburon waterfront park. The combination of Olympic and World Champion athletes, a view of the San Francisco skyline with the Golden Gate Bridge visible in the backdrop, and with professional and efficient management, this swim has established itself as a premier, international open water swimming event.

The all-star swimming cast and guests began to arrive in Tiburon a few days prior to October 6th to "dazzle" Marin county youngsters and adults by sharing swimming "tips" and open-water "strategy" during a two hour RCP Tiburon Mile All-Star Olympian and World Champion Swim Clinic. After attending this clinic, a participant, although training for the swim for months in advance, was even more prepared for the chilly water and the competitive swim. Legend has it, that the original 1950's participants that swam in the historic Corinthian Yacht Club race prepared for the very same chilly waters with no more than a few beers!

The untold secret of each and every participant that entered the bay to swim the infamous Raccoon Strait is, in actuality, hard work and determination. The goal of each swimmer is to swim the one nautical mile in the most energy efficient manner with a technique that can be best described as "buoyant like a cork". Many of the modern day entrants count on their extremely competitive spirit to put them in the running for the $30,000 in cash and prizes that await first, second and third place winners. Swimmers this year ranged from 11 to 77 years old and included two Special Olympic athletes! USA sports personality, John Naber, and Olympic gold medallist and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, Dara Torres, provided race day commentary for FOX Sports TV. Ryk Neethling, Mark Leonard, John Flanagan, Chad Carvin, Evgueni Bezroutchenko, Brooke Bennett, Lindsay Benko, Edith Van Dijk, Cristina Teuscher and Amanda Beard are a few of the Olympic and World Champion swimmers that competed. To everyone's disappointment MGM Movie Star, Esther Williams, had to cancel her guest appearance. South African Olympian Ryk Neethling repeated last year's victory and New York Olympian, Cristina Teuscher, upset Olympic Champion and RCP two-time winner, Brooke Bennett.

Corinthian Yacht Club's John Colver was the official shotgun starter for the "mass" start at Ayala Cove. The favorable tides and the calm 63-degree water became the turbulent home to an endless span of swimmers stroking their arms and kicking their legs! The view was breath taking. During the swimmers' 20-60 minute stay in the bay waters, Matthew Gorton, Dick Slottow, Hans Anderson, and other countless boaters provided valuable assistance to a swimmer if required or necessary.

The event was a great success! Community support and the cooperation from local businesses and various organizations deserve a thank you! Over $15,000 was raised for Special Olympics! Your support made a difference! Thank you.

Visit the RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim website at www.rcptiburonmile.com for photos, race results and detailed event information. Call the Race Hotline at (415) 721-9990 for next year's race details and to volunteer.

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