Andrea Nelson has won her third Idit-a-Swim title, swimming 975 laps in the Haines pool in nine days.
Nelson’s finish included swimming 275 laps – about 7.5 miles – in a single day, Feb. 10.
A 37-year-old museum employee and former team swimmer, Nelson said she wore fins for a lot of the event. She credited second-place finisher Bill Annis for her fast time.
“He pushed me harder than I ever would have pushed for that. I wouldn’t even think to push that hard, but he goes in several times a day and swims continually. I had to step up,” Nelson said.
About 10 swimmers are participating in the race. Resident Fred Gray was closing in on third place this week, and most of the other swimmers are about midway along the course, said pool manager RaeAnn Galasso.
New pool programs include a women’s masters swim group, led by Haines Dolphins assistant coach Diana Mallory, at 11 a.m. on Monday and Friday; Aqua Zumba, led by Deana Stout, 1 p.m. on Thursday and noon on Saturday; and “Yoga Flow,” a form of hot yoga led by Julie Vance 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
The pool recently added several exercise machines, including an elliptical, treadmill and rowing machine, Galasso said.