A FIRST-time solo swimmer, a surf lifesaver and a swimmer who recently had a kidney removed all came in for honours at the 2012 Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday.
Jarrad Lawford’s first solo attempt at the 19.7 km swim, which he finished in 4 hours, 29 minutes and 22 seconds, earned him first place in the men’s competition.
Surf lifesaver Jess Walker, who crossed in 4 hours, 44 minutes and 06 seconds, topped the women’s field. It was the Gold Coast resident’s sixth attempt.
Said Walker:
“My first attempt took me eight hours when I was 13. To finally get the first is just awesome.”
Importantly
for the surf lifesaver, she also took home bragging rights after
beating her brother Ben, who first challenged her to the swim nine
years ago.
Jackson Carmine was second in the men's competition 4 hours, 31 minutes and 36 seconds.
In third place was Jeremy Brooke-Smith, whose achievement was made all the more impressive by the fact that he had a kidney removed 18 months ago. He finished in 4 hours, 32 minutes and 29 seconds.
Race favourite Paul Laver was forced to pull out of the competition with only 4kms to go after suffering from dehydration.
Paul Blackbeard and Paul Vivers, who stopped the clock at 4 hours, 21 minutes and 08 seconds, won the pairs competition.
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