Alan pipped younger brother Will for the Luckhurst bragging rights
James was jointly introduced by Laure and Robin. (photo: Anthony Wood)
This was the second time James Norton had been the race sponsor, having taken over the sponsorship from Robin, Jeremy and Ingrid Hunter-Coddington. With Rob Ouldcott away tumbling down Alps, it was very fitting that Robin joined Laure Latham to introduce James to the gathered crowd and announce the winners.
James is well known to many in the club, even those that have never met him - James regularly posts the club's daily Tweet containing the water and air temperature plus "contemporary" and "timely" comments on matters of the morning, and of national and international importance. Also, during the various periods of lockdown over 2020 and 2021 it was James that provided literary pleasure with his commentary on the Anna Bardos photos in the email series "Waterbird of the Day".
Champion for the morning, Alan Luckhurst
Well wrapped-up against the "after drop"
Saturday's 110 yards (100m) race was the second of five scratch race distances that decide our club champion.
The championship is swum over a series of five scratch races during winter, spring and summer over varying distances as the water (hopefully) warms up. February 55 yards (50m); early March 110 yards (100m); late March 220 yards (200m); April 440 yards (400m); culminating in the 880 yards (800m) race in July for the honour of winning the Arthur Goffrey cup.
Robin deployed his whistle to marshal the competitors
(photo: Anthony Wood)
The "slow race" started the morning's enterntainment
(photo: Anthony Wood)
10 minutes later, and the fast mob get going
(photo: Anthony Wood)
A big smile from Alan, victor on the morning
Will was a very close second to older brother Alan
Luckhurst 1 and 2
Previous club champion Norman Jones was honoured (and surprised) to be in the fast race. He still emerged with a smile
(photo: Anthony Wood)
And in glorious colour
Some took their breath and had a chat before getting out.
A mellow red for Alan
2nd place Will
Revenge is a dish best served cold - Will awaits a still chilly 25 March and the 200m leg of the championship series
(photo: Anthony Wood)
Third place for a shy and retiring Adam
Fourth place for Nick Hungerford
Daddy Luckhurst also crept into the prizes
A bottle was going begging so John Luckhurst, first in the slow race, was honoured. (photo: Anthony Wood)
Some big Luckhurst smiles on show
(photo: Anthony Wood)
James won last month's Pancake Day race, held Tuesday 21 February
(photo: Anthony Wood)
For more information on James Norton's marathon swimming achievements and background on what used to be known as the "Hunter-Coddington Dash" plase follow this link - Serpentine Swimming Club (report from 2022)
And this one - Serpentine Swimming Club ("The Race we Missed" report from 2021)
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)