Swimstarsmakeasplash at tough open water race
SUPER swimmers made a splash at the world’s toughest open water adventure race.
In his first ever open water event, Welsh international swimmer Dan Jones climbed to victory, along with reigning women’s champion Jennifer Davis at the Red Bull Neptune Steps in Glasgow on Saturday.
More than 600 competitors took to the Maryhill Locks on the Forth & Clyde Canal for the ultimate test of physical and mental swimming strength.
It was definitely not an event for the faint-hearted, with the racing thrilling and at times, frantic. Driving rain and a dip in the chill factor meant that competitors were faced with a snappy water temperature of just three degrees.
As the three-time champion Mark Deans was absent from this year’s lineup, the competition opened up and paved the way for a new champ to be crowned.
An intense morning of racing kickstarted the day with a men’s field that included Olympic triathlete Gordon Benson, TV presenter Steve Backshall and swimming strongman Ross Edgley. With the weather worsening, the women’s heats saw action just as aggressive with a field consisting of Olympic Bronze medalist Cassandra Patten and last year’s champion Jennifer Davis.
Jennifer eventually triumphed in the final with a time of eight minutes and 17 seconds, beating Caitlin Bower in second place and Lilyella Craw-Seaman in third.
Jennifer said: “My gameplan was to stay calm, and not panic.”
Dan took home the men’s title in a seven minutes and 19 seconds. The Welsh international put his win down to overcoming the fear of swimming into cold water and support from his family.
He said: “Considering I only do pool swimming and the temperature in there is normally about 26 degrees, to drop to three degrees is quite a jump.”
The top three was rounded off by Andrew Horsfall-Turner and a joint third of Daniel Fisher and Ashley Hogg.