Practice pays off for jet-setting Katrin Buchta at Hong Kong Open Water Swimming Series

German jets into city to participate in event before flying back to her home in Beijing

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Japanese swimmer and multi-Hong Kong recorder holder Mika Yamaguchi swam 21:40.61 for the gold medal. Photos: Richard Castka

Published: 5:00pm, 13 May 2018Updated: 10:35am, 14 May 2018

It takes the average person 20 to 25 minutes to walk a mile but Katrin Buchta swam 1.7 kilometres – slightly more than a mile, in 23 minutes, and 26 seconds in the Hong Kong ASA Panasonic Open Water Swimming Series at Tai Mei Tuk on Sunday.

To be able to compete in the event, Buchta flew from her home in Beijing, and was heading back to the airport mid-afternoon.

“I flew in on Friday night after work so I arrived at the hotel at about 11pm. I will fly out at 5.30pm today as I have to be back at work tomorrow morning,” said the tall, blonde haired swimmer, who works as an interpreter at the German embassy in Beijing.

The Hong Kong ASA Panasonic Open Water Swimming Series took place at Tai Mei Tuk.

“I love swimming. I used to live in Guangzhou but was transferred to Beijing last year, but I didn’t want to give up open water swimming so I travel to Hong Kong and other Asian countries quite regularly to compete,” Buchta added.

“I’m also a triathlete but I had knee surgery for a meniscus injury last year so I can’t take on the bike and run events this year, especially as I prefer longer distance events such as Ironman.”

Buchta’s time of 23:26.31 saw her finish second in the 45-49 age group behind Japanese swimmer and multi-Hong Kong recorder holder Mika Yamaguchi, who swam 21:40.61 for the gold medal.