The weather was slightly cooler than the women's race due to the drop in humidity from 74% to 60%, a lower water temperature (84°F to 82°F) and a slightly greater wind. As the group of 22 men lined up in their positions, it was clear this race included the Who's Who of American open water swimming:
- Chip Peterson, the 2005 World 10K Champion, and multi-time national 5K and 10K champion.
- Noa Sakamoto and John Flanagan, former Waikiki Roughwater Swim winners and top Grand Prix finishers, both representing their home state of Hawaii.
- Mark Warkentin, a World Cup winner, two-time 25K national champion and multiple California ocean swim winner.
- Fran Crippen, a Pan American Games and Pan Pacific Swimming 10K champion.
- Scott Kaufmann, a highly regarded competitor who has represented the US at the 2005 and 2007 World Swimming Championships
- Chad La Tourette of Mission Viejo and Josef Kinderwater of WSY Swimming who both attended recent Open Water Select Camps and are tough up-and-coming young competitors.
- John Kenny, a multiple National Open Water Team member and top 25K swimmer.
Before the race, there was tension in the air. The usual laid-back atmosphere of open water swims gave way to a level of seriousness and focus more typical of Olympic Trials, pool-style. The swimmers checked out navigational lines in warm-ups and walked down the lakeside to the race start. Everyone knew, based on the results of the women's race, that the race was up for grabs for those who were patient and tactical enough to outwit and out-sprint their competitors.
The field started off strong, heading straight into a slight surface chop and slight morning sun's glare. Swimming past numerous multi-million-dollar mansions surrounding the lake, the field formed into a classic European pack with everyone jockeying positions, hitting feet and hands, muscling around or away from others. Many of the pre-race favorites quickly found themselves in the front of the pack: Fran Crippen, Chip Peterson, Chad La Tourett and Noa Sakamoto.
But, there was one conspicuous absence: Mark Warkentin. Where was Mark? Pulling up the rear. Was this the same Mark who likes to lead? Sure was, swimming calmly and smoothly at the caboose.
Despite Mark's position, he was still no more than 10 meters away from the leader. Fran was frequently joined in the front by 3-4 other competitors in a classic "4-wide" (4 swimmers swimming stroke-for-stroke and side-by-side to one another), followed by another 6-wide and yet another 7-wide. The spectacular stack of athletes was similar to the packs that are so often found at European or FINA open water races.
Around the athletes went the first set of 3 large turn buoys, along with audible grunts and groans heard by observers on the head referee's boat and media boat. By the latter half of the first 2.K loop, Indiana's John Koehler had taken the lead from Fran, Noa, Chip and Chad…followed immediately by 20 competitors, all swimming aggressively and all who were not about to let John get too far away.
Then, John let loose with a large splash of his kick. He didn't appreciate those behind him tapping, tapping, tapping on his feet. Gradually, one of one, swim caps started to come off and the pack of closely shaven heads were all swimming and eyeballing each other under the surface. A whistle was called before the end of the first loop by Sid Cassidy, the head referee, as the competitors continued to swim in close proximity to one another, frequently invading each other's space.
Before the end of the first loop, John was overcome by yet another quickly formed 4-wide and the ever-present 6-wide along the second line behind the leaders. And, where was Mark Warkentin lurking? In the back, patiently bidding his time. Stroke counts during the course of first 2.K loop were Fran at 36 and 37, Chip at 40 and 42, Chad at 34 and 34, and Noa at 40 and 40.
Throughout the second loop, the field continued to surge and lay back at different times and in various formations of 4-wides, 6-wides and an occasionally impressive 8-wide. It was still early and still anyone's ball game. All of the swimmers seemed to know their relative positions and the need to continue drafting.
A little over 3K, Noa decided to temporarily take the lead after getting heavily jostled around in the middle of a 6-wide. With a swimmer willing to take the lead, a Mission Viejo duo, Fran and Chad, comfortably settled in behind Noa, thankful for being able to ride in his wake.
Then, just as soon as Noa was in the lead, did another 5-wide form right behind him, followed by another 5-wide. Some observers thought the group looked like an overcrowded warm-up pool during an age-group meet. Others likened the race to a heavyweight boxing match where the swimmers would occasionally throw a jab, only to glance off the shoulder of his competitors.
Then, Noa was on his back, slowing down to let others pull the train. Fran, Chip, Chad, Noa…each was taking his turn to shake the group and fight for some clear water. Meanwhile, competitors like John Flanagan, John Kenny and Scott Kaufmann remained right in the middle of the back, like Mark, just bidding their time. 3K - 4K - 5K - back-and-forth - surge and slow - lead, draft, fall-back. Chip was wisely swimming towards the front, always at the fringes, generally with only one swimmer at his side. Less-experienced swimmers would battle competitors on both their left and right shoulders. Before the 5K turn buoys... (read more of the Open Water Swimming Trials race report)
Strategy Pays Off - Men's 2007 World Championship Open Water Swimming Trials
Finish Report - Men's 2007 World Championship Open Water Swimming Trials
After The Race - Men's 2007 World Championship Open Water Swimming Trials
