June 3, 2006

FORT MYERS BEACH, FLA. - North Carolina swimming recruit Chip Peterson, who will enroll as a freshman at UNC in two months, swam to a convincing victory in the 5K race Friday at the 2006 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

In the men's race, Peterson, of Carteret Currents proved to his competitors why he is considered one of the world's foremost open water specialists.

"During the first 2K, I decided if I couldn't make a break, then I wanted someone else to take the lead," Peterson said. "Scott Kaufmann took the lead just before the halfway point and picked up the pace."

Peterson plotted his strategy for the last part of the race based on the conditions he experienced during the first loop of the course. With slight off-shore currents, two-foot swells and wind chop, Peterson wanted to make sure he was in good position going around the last turn buoy.

"I could tell that (going in first towards) the last buoy would (prove to be a) big advantage," Peterson said. "It was sort of like when you are the first person going from breaststroke to free in the IM."

Peterson picked up the pace into the last buoy, and with a quick 90-degree turn towards the finish, established an insurmountable distance between him and his competitors. His final time was 53:10.

UNC assistant coach Catherine Vogt is Peterson's club coach and a member of the U.S. National Team staff. She conducted clinics for open water swimmers in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla. Wednesday and Thursday.

--Release courtesy of USA Swimming web site.