BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FRENCH tri-athlete Oiivier Marceau yesterday (Mar. 27) set a new record for the StarMile2.5 Nevis-St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim.
Marceau, who broke the previous record of 1:05:21 set by Rhian Purdy in 2009, was the first to cross the Tri Star finish line at Reggae Beach from a field of 112 swimmers in a time of 58:09 minutes.
Marceau and world renowned tri-athlete Chris Mc Cormack were almost head to head fighting for an epic finish, but Marceau crossed the finish line one second ahead of him. However, it was evident that Marceau could have chipped some seconds off his 58.09 record-breaking time, but he waited near the finish line for Mc Cormack so that they could have almost crossed it together. Many spectators viewed this act not only one of sportsmanship but also that of a very close friendship between the two tri-athletes, who have competed together in several international events.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Marceau expressed his satisfaction in winning the event and setting a new record, adding that “it was well-organised” and gave kudos to Winston Crooke, the organiser.
“It was a great swim! Chris and I swam together a few times coming across but got separated because of the currant, but overall it was a great event.”
Completing the swim in ninth spot was 10-year-old Daryl Appleton of Antigua. This was the third year for young Appleton who told SKNVibes that he was pleased with his performance.
“It’s my third year and each year I seem to be doing better, and I am just happy to know that I can finish among the top swimmers,” he said.
Arguably, the oldest participant was 66-year-old Barry Wilson of Switzerland who received a virtual standing ovation when he exited the water at Reggae Beach.
Unlike past events, this year’s swim had included a number of professional athletes who are participating in the St. Kitts and Nevis Triathlon Federation’s Tri Star Triathlon, of which the swim was the first of the three disciplines that will conclude on Saturday (Apr. 2).
Sadly, host island Nevis had one participant in Jervan Swanston, who stated shortly before the event started that he did not have a clue what he was getting into, but he intended to complete the course. However, after several minutes in the water, a cramp-affected Swanston was forced to take a boat ride, but he bravely got back into the water to complete the course some 20 minutes from the finish line to a rousing applause.
Two other participants were also forced to take boat rides, but, unlike Swanston, the boat took them all the way to the finish line.
The 2.5-mile swim, which started at Oualie Beach in Nevis and ended at Reggae Beach in St. Kitts, attracted participants from France, USA, Great Britain, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, Antigua, South Africa, St. Kitts and host island Nevis.
