Busy time for Wicklow Swimming Club as races heat up
IT was a hot balmy evening in the harbour for Wicklow Swimming Club’s mid-week swims held on Wednesday as the water was alive with people young and old enjoying the late evening sun that the current heatwave has brought.
21 Intermediates were in the water first swimming a course across the harbour to the pier and toward shore. It was a sealed handicap which resulted in Emma Seckington taking first place. Jacob Fry was second and Saoirse Dolan finished in third. 83 Seniors took to the water competing for the Ral Brien Memorial Cup. They navigated a course out of the harbour and into the open sea. Susan Wilson finished first, followed by Katie O’Neill in second and John Alvey in third.
221 swimmers took to the water to compete on Sunday morning. THE Junior sprints were up first with 61 swimmers competing in the following races; Under 6 Boys: first Tom Doyle, second Elliott Kinsella, third Jasper Baltrusaitis. Under 6 Girls: first Maria O’Dwyer, second Anna Kravchenko, third Aoife Quinn. Under 8 Boys: first Eoin Treanor, second Bill Guinan, third Charlie Carpenter. Under 8 Girls: first Ruth Connolly, second Laura Bentley, third Hannah Tracey. Under 10 Boys: first Luca Gould, second Oisin Kearney, third Ben Fry. Under 10 Girls: first Mei Wilson-Ma, second Lauren Beacom, third Lilliah Carpenter. Under 12 Boys: first Jim, second Carra Hatton, third Neasa Magillacuddy. Under 14 Girls: first Moya Kelly, second Eva Doyle
31 juniors were back in the water for the Junior Challenge. Aisling Doyle was first, with Carra Hatton second and Susie Gurrie in third. 24 intermediates swam for the Shannen May Memorial Cup which was won by Saoirse Dolan. Kirsty Dunne was second and Hazel Bentley was third.
16 Youths competed for the Sophisticuts Cup. Olivia O’Donovan came out on top, with Sadhbh Dolan finishing second and Aimee Bell King third. 94 seniors swam for the 50th Anniversary of the Phil Healy Cup. It was a fantastic race all the way to the finish. Cliona Byrne took first place with Caitriona O’Dwyer coming home in second followed by Deirdre Fitzgerald in third. Prize giving took place in Phil Healys were the swimmers were also treated to a generous spread of food. THE next mid-week races will take place today, Wednesday July 4, starting with the Youths ‘Across the harbour’ sponsored by the Kristiansen Family at 6.45 p.m. followed by the seniors ‘Across the harbour’ sponsored by REA Forkin at 7.15 p.m.. THE races on Sunday July 8 start slightly earlier at 9.45 a.m. for the Junior Sprints, 10 a.m. for the Junior Challenge, 10.30 a.m. for The Town Council Cup, 11 a.m. for the Youths Sealed Handicap and 11.30 a.m. for the Seniors race for the Town Council Cup.