8 BRIDGES 2012

Stage 3. Mid-Hudson Bridge to Newburgh Beacon Bridge Wednesday: Good luck and a following breeze to all swimmers on today's segment, 13.2 miles. Results for Stage 3: Mid-Hudson Bridge to Newburgh Beacon Bridge (13.2 miles) Grace van der Byl 3:42:31 Rondi Davies 3:45:15 David Barra 4:10:59 Devon Clifford 4:22:58 Suzie Dods 4:50:50 Ricardo Grossman 4:58:20

8 Bridges Hudson River Swim 2012 (the longest stage-swim event in the universe!) Stage 2, 19.8 miles (Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge to Mid-Hudson Bridge) Results: 1. Grace Van Der Byl 5:28:45 2. Rondi Davies 5:37:30 3. Lisa Neidrauer 5:47:05 4. Janet Harris 6:31:19

8 Bridges Hudson River Swim 2012 (the longest stage-swim event in the universe!) Stage 1, 18.3 miles (Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge) Results: 1. Grace Van Der Byl 4:31 2. Rondi Davies 4:39 3. Hannah Borgeson 5:04 4. Leonard Jansen 5:45 5. Jaimie Monahan *7:21 (*includes a storm interruption)

These times suggest why I won't be swimming a leg of 8 Bridges in my lifetime. Again, it's impressive that all of each day's swimmers have made it through, negotiating tide changes and picking a course carefully to do so. It looks as though Friday is a rest day, with the swim resuming Saturday at Bear Mntn Bridge and heading toward Tappan Zee. :banana: We've learned that as the tide changes, so does the ,most favorable route. The kayaks and boats are constantly looking for the best water to swim through. Since the Hudson river is also a commercial shipping lane (we are obligated to yield to commercial traffic), it is not always possible to get the swimmers into the fastest water... and the best route also varies with the swimmers speed. Today was set aside as a "rain date" for stages 1-4. Fortunately, we have had pretty good weather so, today we rest! I'll be swimming tomorrow... Stage 5 is unfinished business for me.

Sat. Stage 5. Bear Mountain Bridge to Tappan Zee Bridge (19.8 mi) 4 swimmers splashed; all completed the swim, a meandering, at times narrow, at times very open course past (or through) Indian Pt, Haverstraw Bay, Hook Mntn. This is a difficult segment that must be completed within an ebbing tide; the navigators (with some aid from willing Coast Guard) worked hard to find the best current disposition and channels, bringing swimmers on a broad S course on the Tappan Zee approach. Here is Rondi's very detailed blog post about the day: www.8bridges.org/.../ Sun. Stage 6. Tappan Zee Bridge to George Washington Bridge (15.7 mi) 6 women splash for this penultimate leg, 2 in their 60s. :) Go, Cougars! Highlights to be glimpsed from the waterline include Piermont Marsh, Pallisades, Yonkers, Spuyten Duyvil. A touch of salt crept into yesterday's swim; today the water will be saltier, and so more buoyant. Along with a current assist from ebb tide, this should help counteract the bit of wind and chop swimmers have worked through all week.

Monday - Last day! Stage 7. George Washington Bridge to Verrazano Narrows Bridge (18.6 mi) 6 swimmers splash today, for the last time on a glorious adventure. I'll quote from Rondi's post on expected conditions and course: Swimmers will splash at 8:30 am on the eastern side of the Hudson River and hug the shore for the first two hours to protect themselves from the flooding tide. When the ebb begins, swimmers will cross to the western, or New Jersey, side of the river passing close to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, and will swim under the shadow of Lady Liberty. Swimmers will also have great views of Governer’s Island and the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges of the East River. The current assist with draw the weary swimmers to the Verazzano-Narrows bridge with a maximum speed 2.7 knots which is significantly faster than we’ve experienced in previous stages. In addition, the Atlantic Ocean mixing with the Hudson’s waters will create cooler (70˚F), saltier conditions. Weather conditions include a high of 86˚F and winds from the WNW at 12 mph. This is a tail wind – woo hoo! :applaud: July 1 WSJ story about 8 Bridges (mit Fotos): online.wsj.com/.../SB10001424052702304299704577501012085660788.html And they're all through! A lovely, splashy visit to Lady Liberty by today's 6 and the close of an inspiriting marathon swim! I'll bow out now and leave this thread to the organizers to comment.

Monday - Last day! Stage 7. George Washington Bridge to Verrazano Narrows Bridge (18.6 mi) 6 swimmers splash today, for the last time on a glorious adventure. I'll quote from Rondi's post on expected conditions and course: :applaud: July 1 WSJ story about 8 Bridges (mit Fotos): online.wsj.com/.../SB10001424052702304299704577501012085660788.html And they're all through! A lovely, splashy visit to Lady Liberty by today's 6 and the close of an inspiriting marathon swim! I'll bow out now and leave this thread to the organizers to comment. Thank you for keeping this thread updated VB! I have been a bit "occupied" this week. The course we followed for stage 7 was quite different than last year's. A stronger ebb, meant faster predicted finish times. Additionally, we had lots of eyes across the width of the river watching for the river watching for the dead water for splash time. THE BEST PLANS ARE FLEXIBLE ONES (will be my new mantra) After a week of hard work and sleep deprivation, I am exhausted but glowing from all the positive feedback. Grace is indeed amazing, and Rondi did so much of the legwork, organizing, group communications, etc.... AND swam the whole enchilada! The highlights of stage 7 are many... but a few stand out for me: 6 swimmers were guided by 6 kayaks and 8 boats through Manhattan. 4 radio channels and cellphone communication were used to keep the field informed of the headings, check on swimmers, and keep a safe distance from the abundance of commercial and recreational traffic. It was an honor to be a part of that armada. Martin Tarucky who just a few weeks ago became a US citizen got to swim past the Statue of Liberty... the most iconic land mark of 8 Bridges also signals that swimmers are in the home stretch. I was close by Amanda Hunt's finish. Janet joined her in the water for the last couple of miles to the Verrazano. There will be flood of pictures, blogs and articles hitting the web in the next few days, and I look forward to seeing/hearing/reading everyone's perspectives. Peace.