In the male pro division, defending champion David Dellow was in a three-way battle for the lead with Casey Munro and Marino Vanhoenacker.

Munro held an 11 second lead over Dellow into the bike transition at Westport Park after an enthralling 3.8 kilometre battle as they traded strokes.

Vanhoenacker was just a further three seconds behind.

With near-perfect conditions greeting them, athletes dived into the Hastings River with the water temperature hovering around 20 degrees.

It was warmer in than out.

After the first leg, Dellow, Munro and Vanhoenacker could barely be split as they headed into the transition area.

Port Macquarie’s Mitch Robbins was about 30 seconds further back in another cluster of four that included former winner Paul Ambrose.

In the women’s, Anabel Luxford led the way with a significant break out of the water.

Laura Siddall started her quest for back-to-back Ironman Australia Port Macquarie titles with a strong swim leg.

There is still a long way to go.