(l-r) Alex Kostich, 25-time Coral Reef swimmer; Erik Huuki, five-mile male winner; and Jill Lancaster, five-mile female winner

The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort Celebrates the 27th Annual Coral Reef Swim Race Results

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands (November 15, 2023) – The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, situated on the picturesque shores of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, proudly served as the finish line of the 27th Annual Coral Reef Swim on November 12, 2023. An international field of nearly 200 swimmers participated in the five-, two-, and one-mile open-water swims.  The races began at various locations on the island, with the five-mile race beginning at Buck Island Reef National Monument. The two-mile competition started at Pull Point, and the one-mile swim at Shoy’s Beach. The three races ran concurrently and ended at the palm-shaded shores of Mermaid Beach at The Buccaneer.   Five-Mile Race Winners Eric Huuki, 22, from Pipersville, PA, led the field of males in the five-mile course, with a winning time of 1:47:33. Ricardo Valdivia, 58, from South Miami, finished on Huuki’s heels in 1:47:40, while St. Croix’s Kaeden Gleason, 16, finished third in 1:47:43. Coral Reef Swim Race 25-time participant and 21-time winner Alex Kostich finished fourth in 1:47:48.   Female five-mile winners were Jill Lancaster, 49, from Barrington, RI (2:15:37), followed by Allison Keller, 47, from Charlotte, NC (2:17:20), and Lisa Hibberd, 60, (2:17:47), from Tortola, British Virgin Islands.   Two-Mile Race Winners Cole Cullinan, 13, from St. Croix, beat out other swimmers in the two-mile event with a time of 52:06. Second place was claimed by Bryan Mason, 48, from neighboring St. Thomas (54:21). St. Croix’s Matias Porporato, 31, finished third (56:18).   Lexie Kelly, 36, from Laguna Beach, CA, had the women’s and overall first-place winning swim in the two-mile event (49:57). Second place in the women’s race went to Morgan Garner, 16, from St. Croix, and the third spot was won by Emily Rose, 30, from McClean, VA (1:04:22).   One-Mile Race Winners Swimmers from St. Croix swept the one-mile male event. Daryan Maynard, 15, claimed the top spot with a winning time of 22:46. Nick Crikelair, 15, (27:30) placed second, and Scott Fortier, 29, had the third-fastest time (28:56). Maynard won the one-mile race in 2022.   The female one-mile race was won by 14-year-old Kyleigh Rychlik from Maple Valley, WA (23:59), who also had the winning time in 2022.. Maynard’s sister Diella Maynard, 13, earned second place in the female category, crossing the finish line with a time of 26:16. She was the second-place winner in 2022. Rachel Todebush, 19, from Miami, finished third (26:30). Established in 1996 by Elizabeth Armstrong, owner of The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, and her friend Kim Rice Sanford, the Coral Reef Swim Race has become one of the Caribbean’s premier open-water events.   For the complete list of swimmers and more information about the event, visit www.swimrace.com and www.thebuccaneer.com.

About The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort Celebrating more than 75 years of Caribbean hospitality, The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, located on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, blends timeless charm and elegance with modern luxury. Over the years, The Buccaneer has received high honors from the travel industry and earned a multitude of “World’s Best” accolades. Guests receive an enduring promise to meet and exceed the highest standards of taste, elegance and discerning preferences.   The resort’s mission is for every guest to return and become part of The Buccaneer family. Team members provide world-class service and work towards ensuring that every visitor becomes an ambassador for St. Croix. All rooms are designed and furnished to be an intimate retreat surrounded by the beachfront beauty of St. Croix. Each room features a patio or balcony to experience spectacular views and cooling breezes. For more information visit www.thebuccaneer.com.

Marketplace Excellence, 1812 Front Street, Suite 1814-3F, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 | www.marketplaceexcellence.com