Race Day Post 2

Michelle Santilhano of California (originally from South Africa) made it out of the water first in a time of 7 hours and 10 minutes. I forgot to mention earlier they are swimming in a 50 meter pool so the Quintuples have 190 laps to do and the Deca athletes have 380 laps to do. Wayne Kurtz was second out with a time of 7 hours 33 minutes. Andreas Buscher of Germany is third with a time of 8 hours 17 minutes.

I am standing at the timer side of the pool, about in the middle and lazily looking out at the water and all you see are arms swimming in the water in ten different lanes. I don’t think a picture could capture that sight.

Wanda - part of Stephen Johnson's support crew holding up his binkie - to remind him no crying during the race. This table shows a typical support table with the food/gels/fluid/chemicals etc needed to compete in a race like this.

What is also interesting is all the different languages being spoken at different times. German – Queen’s English, American English, French English, Spanglish, Hungarian, French, Sweedish, Mexican Spanish as well as Castillian Spanish (from Spain).

Elke Streicher of Germany just came out of the water fourth place in 8 hours 47 minutes.

The place seems to be quieting down for some reason and only four people have gotten out of the water.

Arthur is next to get out, he has about 9 laps left and then Silvia is twenty behind him. As for the Deca athletes, Michael Gaertner of Germany is in first with 282 done and Beto Villa of Mexico is next with 265 followed by Carlos Ochoa of Spain with 253 and then Neil Kapoor of England with 247. The rest are down in the 220 range.

Mary - who is Arthur's Puckrin (England) wife, making bread and butter for when he gets out soon. She didn't have jam to go with it but oh well. He just got out at 9 hours 56 minutes.

Will post more later this evening.