Stone was timed in 19 minutes and 31.11 seconds, well ahead of Emma Twigg of New Zealand (19:58.99), in becoming the event’s first repeat winner since Anne Marden (1991-93).
“I felt headwinds the whole way,’’ Stone said. “I think the fan support made a huge difference. I heard them almost the whole way. There were a few big clusters throughout the course and they happened to be where the headwind was at its worst.
“I had a great race. I only hit one buoy wrong side, and that startled me. Other than that it was a very strong race and I kept pushing the whole way.’’
But Stone, who also won in 2008, minimized the accomplishment of consecutive wins.
“Last year was an odd year because a lot of competitive people weren’t here, but they definitely were in this one,’’ Stone said. “But it almost didn’t feel like repeating because of that.’’
Stone is working toward Olympic qualification.
“That’s the goal,’’ Stone said. “I’m making a big push this year, each week I’m training and working toward getting there. This is one steppingstone, and it seems like a big one for me.’’
Stone spoiled Twigg’s chance to complete a Kiwi singles’ double, as Mahe Drysdale took a decisive victory in the men’s race.
“I think it is very difficult to get all your lines right,’’ Twigg said of the course. “I think Gevvie took the inside line to the Powerhouse bridges, and that took quite a bit out of me.
“I’m disappointed a little bit, but it was a vast improvement on my previous couple years. I had absolute shockers, so I’m slowly getting the course right, and maybe next time I’ll be able to challenge a little bit more.
“Last time I was here, I was in the eights on Sunday when it was snowing, so I’ve seen everything. It’s a great [race], but I haven’t won it, yet, so I have to keep coming back.’’
Drysdale (17:57.33) finished well ahead of Michael Sivigny (18:25.52).
“It was a good race for me, especially the first sort of two-thirds broke really well, then I sort of ran out of gas,’’ said Drysdale, who recently won the singles in the World Championships. “That’s always been my weaker part, the first half of the race.’’
