Congratulations to Kristy McIntyre who successfully completed the 20km Rottnest swim today in sweltering and lumpy conditions "allegedly similar to last year" said one punter at the race.
Kristy was 48th in the women's category. Of the approximately 270 swimmers in the solo division, Kristy finished in 176th place overall in what the local Perth newspapers described as "hot temperatures". A quick peek at Perth Now conirmed that "hot" for the swim was 38C. So perhaps Kristy did her acclimatisation for the race in a Bikram sauna?
Kristy was ably supported by fellow Serpentine club member Mark Fabik with Cliff as their boat pilot. Kristy's time for the race was seven hours 26 minutes and 32 seconds. While it can't be directly compared with previous years, Kristy was faster than Tory Thorpe's 2015 time of 8:14.3.1 who they both crewed for last year.
Unlike 2015, this year's race was not marred by capsized boats and 'wildlife' freely swimming at the halfway mark, but she did not finish unblemished. One jellyfish managed to wrap itself around Kristy's face and neck during the swim. And using her own phrase she chose to "Man up Princess" and did not squawk once at her future husband on deck.
In the relay category, Rhys Bradley made it a family affair as "Team Bradleys" with four swimmers from the same family did the swim in six hours and 24 minutes.
Great solo swim for Kristy and relay swim for Rhys.
Yours swimmingly
[John Tierney]
