Polak retains title in thrilling finale as Worth family storm the Castle

Polak retains title in thrilling finale as Worth family storm the Castle

All in wetsuits, mother and father Philippa and Richard touched home first in their respective age groups while daughter Hannah took two category top awards, both by just three seconds from fellow Tigers SC member Elizabeth Atkinson – in the women’s 12 to 16 section and women’s over 12 class in the 1.5k race.

Hannah’s brother Harry finished in the same time as Thomas Atkinson in the men’s 12 and over and men’s 12 to 16 age group, but Atkinson was awarded first place on the judge’s decision.

‘It was a good event and some close finishes, both for first place in some sections and lower down the order in others,’ said coach Ailie Paterson of event organisers Jersey Swimming Club.

‘Unfortunately entries were a little down because of the Weekender music festival and swimmers away at Coniston. But conditions were perfect, although we did have a couple of swimmers stung by jellyfish.’

Calligo Tigers Swimming Club’s Cameron Polak was first swimmer home to retain his men’s 12 and over title and win the the men’s 12 to 16 race from Jersey Swimming Club’s Christopher Carnegie.

Victoria College student Polak said: ‘I was happy to win, but my time was down on last year because my distance and stamina has gone because I’ve only trained once a week due to GCSEs.

‘I’m taking part in the round St Aubin’s Fort swim at the weekend [on Sunday from 7 am] and I’m hoping to retain my title there.’

Polak, who begins his Gibraltar Island Games training this week, won JSC’s Begg Family Perpetual Trophy last year after winning all three JSC races – Castle to Harbour, Green Island to Havre des Pas and Round St Aubin’s Fort.

JSC’s Janina Howell improved her performance of third a year ago, to win the women’s 12 and over non-wetsuit class in the Castle to harbour swim in 26 minutes and 57 seconds – a 23-second improvement on last year.

Howell, a 38-year-old English Solicitor, said: ‘I went in to try and beat last year’s time and I achieved it.

‘I did not expect to win and had last year’s winner [Olivia Pollard] been swimming I would have finished at least a minute behind her.

‘You also need a lot of luck on the day. I had a bad swim in a half Ironman in Vichy the previous weekend and with my children watching I wanted to do well and enjoy it at the same time.’

Organisers thanked the various boat crews who supported the 61st staging of the annual event.

  • Full results inside Wednesday’s JEP
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