Trans Tahoe Relay - Lake Tahoe USA

Sand Harbour, Nevada

A little while ago I competed in the Trans Tahoe Relay as a member of the ‘International Sharks’ Relay Team.

Set in the pristine, clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe, USA the relay took our team of six through two States – starting at Sand Harbour, Nevada and finishing 12miles or three hours and 19 minutes later across the border in Skylandia Beach, California. The Lake Tahoe district is one of the most scenically aesthetic destinations in the world as you’ll see in the below video. Clear, drinkable water around 14C in temperature, surrounded by a magnificent 360 degree mountainside backdrop that is blanketed in snow during winter, only to reveal a lush pine forest during the summer – bringing the holiday makers and locals down the ski slopes and into the water, swapping their snowboards for wake boards and speed boats.

Lake Tahoe, USA

I was fascinated by the transformation of the landscape between my visit in 2011 to the same time in July 2012. There had been an unusual heavy fall of the proverbial powder as late as Independence day last year which made the experience simply breathtaking. 30 degree ambient temperature, mountain peaks covered in a heavy blanket of snow and a water temperature of 11C. I was pleasantly greeted with a much preferred 14-15 degree water temp and a much barer, baron mountainside this year.

Tahoe City Marina 2011                                                                                               Tahoe City Marina 2012

The race format is fairly straight forward. Each team has six members who swim for 30 minutes each before transitioning with the next team member. Once one rotation has been made, each swimmer completes a further 15 minute leg for the second rotation and then 10 minutes in the third rotation etc. We had one rotation and finished with our first swimmer as part of the beginning of the second rotation.

The team consisted of three Americans – the 2012 Olympic Trials Competitors Vinnie Donnelley and JK Koehler leading off for the first two legs as well as three time Olympic gold medallist Brooke Bennett bringing home the sixth leg. Evgeny Bezruchenko – a previous Open Water World Champion from Russia was the 5^th swimmer and I was in the middle on the 4^th leg. It’s very easy to just jump in the water and go flat out for half an hour, but because the lake is set at 6,000ft above sea level, it’s necessary to ease into the first 5 minutes and then build the rest of the time otherwise the fat lady will start singing to you very quickly as your lungs and head feel like they’re going to burst courtesy of the reduced air density, and your speed diminishes to a crawling pace.

From Left to Right: International Sharks Boat Captain, Michael Sheil, Eric Nilsson, J K Koehler, Brooke Bennett, Evgeny Bezruchenko, Vinnie Donnelly, Bob Placak

In 2011 the team I was a part of secured a win. Naturally I wanted nothing less than this again in 2012 however the Sydney Tattersalls team were very strong. Our team put in a stellar effort to secure 2^nd, five minutes down on the winners but 11 minutes faster than the previous expedition. Unfortunately for us, Team Tattersalls secured the win in the opening stages of the race, making a large gap courtesy of a very in form Codie Grimsey, however we seemed to hold pace fairly evenly as the race progressed. I was very happy with my leg, making some ground on the leaders in my 30 minute stint.

Race Finish - Skylandia Beach, California

Nevertheless, the whirlwind trip of travelling across the Pacifc for 13 hours, driving 5 hours, racing and repeating in reverse all within 7 days was spectacular to say the least. I’d like to thank Bob Placak for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to race in one of the greatest locations in the world for a second time.

Enjoy the below video – a visual recount of my seven days abroad. Be sure to watch in 720p HD to gain full appreciation of this wonderful location!

Take care,