Dover Harbour
Saturday, 18 June 2011
This was the sixth year we have held the Champion of Champions event in Dover Harbour. There are always significant tidal flows, and the water temperature is generally below 14oC, so the event is therefore challenging for many competitors.
This year the water temperature was 13oC, around the norm for the middle of June, and the air temperature was 15oC, but the problems came from storm force winds that arrived as forecast and persisted during the day of the swim. With forecast 43 mph gale force winds, an early morning conference established that the normal course (around a square 1 mile circuit) could not be used, as conditions would not be safe along the more exposed parts of the circuit. So a triangular (1 mile) circuit was set up, in the lee of the Prince of Wales pier. This was successful in protecting the course from the main force of the westerly gale, but the sight of the furious white water of the Channel beyond the harbour entrance was sobering.
The day gave a difficult enough environment for the swimmers, but, for the safety cover and for the event officials, combatting the conditions presented problems of a different order. First, the race officials’ vessel, was exposed to the wind, and despite many efforts could not hold its position, with consequent difficulties in lap counting and swim timing. Second, safety and support craft found it physically exhausting maintaining their positions along the course.
After a late start, necessitated by the modification of the course, the five mile swim was held, and, for some swimmers, the distance covered exceeded five miles, as they (during the first hour and a half) chased the race officials’ vessel to complete their laps. After this event a decision was taken to omit the three mile swim, in order to ensure adequate safety cover could be maintained while swimmers were in the water, and to go straight to the final 1 mile swim. This 1 mile swim was successfully concluded with an exciting racing beach finish.
During the day there were many exceptional swimming performances in terms of both speed and endurance. The 5 mile swim was won by Harriet Tuck in a time of 2:19:04. Second was Nicola Fraser in a time of 2:19:11, and third was Chris Malpass in a time of 2:20:05. The fastest time for the 1 mile swim was Chris Malpass’s 20:25, and Harriet was second fastest, in 20:32, only 7 seconds behind. Katie Mould, the day’s only junior, completed her 1 mile swim in 25:04.
A total of 50 swimmers attempted the 6 mile event, with 36 successfully completing the full course. 6 swimmers, having completed the 5 mile swim, did not enter the 1 mile swim; and 4 of those who retired from the 5 mile swim, entered and completed the 1 mile swim. In addition, 8 swimmers entered only the 1 mile swim, of whom 7 completed.
Harriet Tuck was the fastest swimmer of the 6 mile event, and, with an overall time of 2:39:36, she won the ladies’ Champion of Champions title for 2011. Two other swimmers nearly matched Harriet’s performance. First, Chris Malpass, less than a minute behind and with an overall time of 2:40:30, retained the men’s Champion of Champions title that he had won in 2010. Second, Nicola Fraser had an overall time of 2:40:47, and was only just over a minute behind Harriet. Finally, Peter Ingham endured the conditions longer than anyone else, and completed the 6 mile event in 4:26:41. Congratulations to these and all swimmers who achieved personal goals. And for those who retired, we hope to see you again in 2012.
The weather conditions were such that the event came close to being cancelled. In the end, the day provided both an endurance event in the 5 mile swim, and an enjoyable 1 mile swim. Let us hope that next year, on 16 June, the full 9 mile Champion of Champions event can take place.
The event could not have taken place without assistance from many quarters. I would like to thank Vista Leisure (for the splendid facilities of the new Dover Sea Sports Centre), the Dover Life Guard Club (especially for assistance on the day of the event), and the Port of Dover. I would also like particularly to thank all involved in providing the safety and support cover for the event, and finally I would like to thank the BLDSA President, Beverley Thomas, and all the BLDSA event officials for their dedicated and professional support.
Leslie
Du Cane
Swim Secretary
To see Photographs of the event click on the PHOTOS button
Results
