Saunders wins roughwater swim

Punahou graduate Ryan Saunders won Sunday’s 32nd Possibly Annual Hawaiian Christmas Looong Distance Invitational Rough-H2O Swim, finishing the 4.33-mile course from San Souci Beach to Ala Wai Harbor and back in 1 hour, 35 minutes and 41 seconds.

Saunders, a 21-year-old American University student who arrived home on Saturday, led a field of 44 that braved challenging waters, the flash-flood advisory and the ensuing rain storm.

Twelve-time winner of the event Rick Heltzel, 56, was second (1:41:40), with former University of Hawaii swimmer Steve Allnutt, 24, third in 1:42:30. Former UH swimmer Taylor Ritenberg, 20, was the first female and fifth overall (1:44:32), with Nalani Kaun, 32, second (1:50:52) and Victoria West, 32, third (1:52:33).