The 2025 Alexandra Challenge Cup saw a record-breaking turnout as athletes, volunteers, team personnel, and supporters braved the hot weather at Molyneux Aquatc Centre over the weekend. This fantastic two-day competition attracted over 170 swimmers from Otago and neighbouring regions, with many trying new events, competing in their first meet, or achieving qualifying times for upcoming events.

One of the standout performances of the competition came from Fergus Kindiak (Kiwi), who broke the Otago Male 9 Years & Under 200m Freestyle record. Fergus clocked a time of 2:41.78, shaving over six-tenths of a second off the previous record set in 2015 by Samuel Petrie (Oamaru). Congratulations, Fergus, on securing your first Otago Age Group Record!

The Alexandra Challenge Cup offers a Skins event where the top six from each group compete in elimination 25-meter races until only one swimmer remains. Congratulations to the following Skins winners

• Female 9 Years & Under: Iliana Peniamina (Kiwi)
• Male 9 Years & Under: Fergus Kindiak (Kiwi)
• Female 10-11 Years: Georgie Wellington (Neptune)
• Male 10-11 Years: Sam Morris (Wanaka)
• Female 12-13 Years: Sophia McClintock (Wanaka)
• Male 12-13 Years: Arlee Williamson (Swim Timaru) 
• Female 14-15 Years: Milly Lietze (South Otago Sharks)
• Male 14-15 Years: James Soal (Oamaru)
• Female 16 Years & Over: tied Sophie Winter (Alexandra) and Heidi Winter (Alexandra)
• Male 16 Years & Over: Liam Rees (Kiwi)

Club trophies are awarded based on the total points accumulated by the top six athletes in each age group, gender, and individual event throughout the competition. These points are combined to determine the club with the highest overall Junior and Senior points. Kiwi ASC claimed the Junior Challenge Cup (11 years and under), while Alexandra Swimming Club secured the Senior Challenge Cup (12 years and over). Congratulations to the winners!   

👉 Click here to view the full results from this competition

Swimming Otago thanks everyone who helped make this competition a success. It was great working alongside Alexandra Swimming Club to organise and deliver the event. A special acknowledgement goes to their hardworking committee, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, our fantastic group of technical officials, all the volunteers who served as timekeepers or in other capacities, and the generous sponsors who made the meet possible. Thank you all for your invaluable contributions—meets like this would not be possible without your help!

Congratulations to all who took part in this competition. We hope you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you poolside again soon!

Looking for your next racing opportunity? Don't miss the Makos Junior Festival from Friday, 7 to Sunday, 9 March at Moana Pool in Dunedin. Entries close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, 18 February. Don't miss out!

Interested in becoming a Technical Official? Visit our web page, or for more information, email us at admin@swimotago.org.

Article added: Sunday, 16 February 2025