San Rafael teen completes Lake Tahoe swim in record fashion – Marin Independent Journal

San Rafael resident Sophia Bell, 17, completed the Vikingsholm Lake Tahoe crossing in a record time, managing the 10.6-mile swim in 4 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds. Bell, a North Bay Aquatics club swimmer, took on the challenge of her first marathon swim earlier this week. The Vikingsholm crossing is the shortest of three swims considered to comprise the Tahoe Triple Crown.

Bell’s time is the fastest for a female and only about 6 minutes shy of the overall record.

The first hour of the swim is done in the darkness and the event’s website cautions that the swim typically takes anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. The swim begins at Cave Rock in Nevada and finishes up at Emerald Bay on the California side of Lake Tahoe. Competitors are not allowed to wear wet suits and are not permitted to touch the support boat. Food and water are tossed to the swimmer during the race.

Bell, who is committed to swim for UC San Diego, began her crossing at 3:34 a.m. with a support crew in a boat nearby, including her dad, Scott, who kayaked the entire time with her. North Bay teammate Alessia Root and her father, Stephen Root — both of Mill Valley — were part of the support team and swam with Bell for an hour each.

Bocce

The best women’s bocce players from throughout California converged August 6 for a regional doubles tournament in San Rafael, and a Marin pair emerged on top. Julie Nunes of San Rafael and Jolene Kramer of San Anselmo, both representing the hosting Marin Bocce Federation, won the United States Bocce Federation’s women’s doubles competition by compiling a 6-0 record.

Nunes and Kramer defended their 2021 title at the event, held at the Albert Park facility. They defeated reigning national champion Emi Fuji of Stockton and Martha Crosley of Martinez in the final, 12-9. There were 16 teams entered with players from bocce clubs in Martinez, Stockton, Antioch, Los Gatos, Felton, Lompoc, Grass Valley, Santa Barbara, and others.

Nunes, a bocce player for 17 years, is a retired nurse and risk management director. Kramer, a 10-year player, is a chemical engineer and business owner who has won two national bocce championships. In June, she won a bronze medal at the U.S. Bocce Federation’s precision shooting championships.

Job openings

Novato High School is advertising for candidates to fill openings for coaches for varsity girls swimming, junior varsity boys basketball, freshman boys basketball, JV girls basketball, varsity girls lacrosse, JV boys and girls lacrosse, varsity boys and freshman girls volleyball. For more information, email Michele Smith at MSmith1@nusd.org.

• San Marin High School is advertising for candidates for a JV girls soccer head coach. For more information, email Shawna Hettrich at shettrich@nusd.org.

• Redwood High School is advertising for candidates for a assistant coach for boys cross country. For more information, email Erin Feely at efeely@tamdistrict.org.

• Archie Williams High School is advertising for candidates for a varsity girls lacrosse coach. For more information email Leah Noble-Christoff at lnoblechristoff@tamdistrict.org.