A Warrnambool Swimming Club youngster took out the men's category of The Tony Ryan Memorial Swim for the second year in a row.
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Sebastian Christie-Crane, originally from Hamilton, took out the 1.2 kilometre full-course swim in 18.19 minutes on Saturday at Warrnambool Beach.
The 19-year-old took his opportunity to cross the line first in the second leg of the Shipwreck Coast Swim Series.
He was second across the finish last year behind Warrnambool's Sophie Thomas but Thomas didn't compete on Saturday.
"I just had to take it out, lead the whole way and make sure no one was near me," Christie-Crane said.
The teenager was last year's open male series winner.
He now looks forward to Swimming Victoria's long-course country championships which begin in Warrnambool on Friday.
Karsten Forsterling was the second male across the line in 18.27 minutes with Thomas Spafford not far behind in 18.40.
Ballarat's Ebony Ebenwaldner was the fastest female in 19.12 minutes.
The 40-year-old was coming off a great swim in the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club's Pier to Pub.
She finished second in the 40-49 age group.
Ebenwaldner was pleased to cross the line in tough conditions at Warrnambool.
"It was a little bit rough today, as you can probably see there's quite a lot of chop out there," she said.
"It was pretty difficult to see from the last buoy to the finish."
Ebenwaldner and her family regularly enjoy their summer holidays in the south-west and she has family in Koroit, Terang and Warrnambool.
Ingrid Cavarsan was the second quickest female in 19.51 minutes followed by Alyssia Jenkins in 20.30 minutes.
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Thomas Hay took out the Port Fairy leg a fortnight ago in a time of 14.49 while Alyssia Jenkins was fastest female in 17.02.
The final leg of the series at Port Campbell will be held on Sunday February 2 at 11am.
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