The 6th Annual RCP Tiburon Mile
The Tradition Continues
By Robbie Cook
On Sunday, September 19, 2004, CYC Vice Commodore Bruce Powell will kick-off the 6th Annual RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim, with the traditional 9 a.m. shotgun start. He follows in the steps of Staff Commodores John Colver and Ron Roberts who were the official starters the past two years. Fox Sports Network will cover the event on television.
Raccoon Straits will once again be a massive swarm of swimmers as they traverse the one nautical mile swim from Ayala Cove to the Corinthian Yacht Club beach. The annual event will attract nearly 850 swimmers from over twenty countries.
Originally a tradition of the Corinthian Yacht Club from the 1950s, the competition now attracts swimmers of world class and age groups. Returning to defend their titles are Olympic Triple Gold Medalist, Brooke Bennett, and Bronze Medalist Chad Carvin along with Open Water National Team members, John Flanagan and Noa Sakamoto. There will be several fresh from gold medals in the Athens 2004 Olympics, including Natalie Coughlin, Klete Keller, Scott Goldblatt and South African Ryk Neethling. Australians Trudee Hutchinson and Chris Cole, as well as a large contingent of Russian Elite Swimmers will also be participating. World Champion, Sullivan Award Winner and 2004 multiple Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps has also been contacted to participate along with fellow Olympian Ian Crocker.
CYC will be well represented by members in the event. Bob Placak, who in 1979 won a gold medal in the Pan Am Games in the 100 meters butterfly and last month won the 2.7-mile Donner Lake swim, is the event founder and organizer. Jim Tull will be participating for the fourth time. Tom Bauch will be swimming in his second race. Loretta Madden, a veteran open-water swimmer, swam three years ago. David Holscher will be in his third race, having placed second last year in the Mayor's Trophy category for Tiburon-Belvedere residents. 71-year-old Robbie Cook, who swam in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics for Bermuda in the 400 and 1500 meters freestyle, is back in training after a 50-year layoff in his first attempt at open-water swimming. Our multi-talented Harbor Master, Hans Anderson, swam two years ago.
The CYC is a significant supporter of the Tiburon Mile through both participation and volunteers. A large number of members aid in monitoring the swim in rowboats, small motor crafts, and performed services, which assist the event. Included in this group are Ingo Schreiber, Matt Gorton, John and Rosalind Colver, Dick and Jean Slottow, Jeff McQueen and Ron Roberts, all having a hand in the success of the Tiburon Mile.
To date, the Tiburon Mile has raised over $150,000 for the Special Olympics of Northern California and hopes to double this amount in 2004. With 100% of pledges benefiting the Special Olympics the event is sure to be a big splash.
Event organizer and Corinthian member Bob Placak invites all to join together for this unique community event. Be a part of the fun! Volunteer, swim or watch the amazing event unfold before your eyes as a spectator!
Olympians Janet Evans and John Naber will once again lend their support as race commentators for the event broadcast on Fox Sports Net. More than fourteen top restaurants will cater the Swimmers Brunch along the waterfront park in Pt. Tiburon, so please come and picnic with us.
Any member wishing to volunteer boats of any size, contact Christine Wilson at (415) 507-1440, ext 18. For more event information, please visit the event website www.rcptiburonmile.com.