Nearly 250 athletes take part in the first sea swimming Ly Son Cross Island tournament on May 28. (Photo of organisers) In its inaugural race, nearly 250 athletes, locals and foreigners, swam in the middle of the sea paradise and overcame ancient craters and millions of years of volcanic sediment as well as diverse coral reefs.
They were guided by a special corridor made of national flags from the start to the finish of the three-category competition entitled Ly Son Cross Island.
Khoa Sun and Nguyen Thi Thu Trang won the men's and women's 5km, respectively.
Vo Tri Trung and Tran Thanh Binh were winners of the men's and women's 2km classes.
Nguyen Dang Khoa and Dang Linh Giang topped the men's and women's 1km divisions.
"Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated today, especially to Trang and Vi, my two incredible female opponents. It was an absolute honour to be on the podium with you both. Thank you so much to the organisers and to the Ly Son government for allowing such an awesome event to take place! Today was amazing!" Maxine Margaret Sutton, who finished second in the women's 5km, posted on the event's facebook page.
"A great swim at Ly Son Islands. It is a tough route between two islands and I met with an ocean current in the middle of the way that forced many swimmers to face DNF (did not finish) status. But it was really a memorable competition," said Luong Ngoc Duy, who took part in the men's 5km. "About Ly Son, no words can describe the beauty of the sea and island. It was so wonderful, the people are friendly, food is delicious, garlic beer, garlic wine served with seaweed salad is the best. Despite my third place overall, I was very satisfied and happy to be able to swim with people."
“I had a special visit to the island. The amazing swimming route, the crystal clear water beach, coral reefs and fish. There are ocean currents and jellyfish but they are a fun part of sea swimming. I will be back to swim on Ly Son next season," said 5km-route participant Nguyen Van An from Hai Phong.
"The highlight of the swimming route is the corridor of the national flags. Swimming while watching the national flag waving made me very proud, feel secure and love our sea and island more," said swimmer Nguyen Truong Son from Hanoi.
According to Le Van Ninh, vice chairman of the Ly Son District People's Committee, the local authority and staff of the Green Path Joint Stock Company inspected and evaluated the route last year. They then decided to organise the event after months of preparation.
Ninh believed that sea swimming will be an annual event and a special experience tourism product of Ly Son./.
VNA
