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A Win In The Caribbean

My time here in Nevis, West Indies, got off to a great start with a win at the Star Mile 2.5 swim on Sunday. The race involved a 2.5mile swim from Oualie Beach, Nevis, across the channel to Reggae Beach, St Kitts. Lining up on the start line on the white sandy beach at 8am on Sunday, it was hard to believe that less than 24 hours earlier I’d been at Gatwick Airport.

The swim was unlike most triathlon swims in that it was a point-to-point race with only four buoys across the 2.5mile stretch to help guide you. Once out of the bay, the swell picked up so much that it was impossible to pick out the buoys. With no other competitors in sight, I was soon left wondering whether I was heading for Puerto Rico rather than St Kitts.

An hour is a long time to be rolling about in the waves, especially when it feels as though for every stroke you take, the ocean is beating you back three. Irrational fears about sharks, sea monsters and all sorts started creeping into my brain, but fortunately I was just about able to keep focusing on all the stroke technique pointers I’ve been working on with Dan Bullock at Swim for Tri recently. I was also very glad to have these Blue Seventy beauties.

I can’t tell you how pleased I was when I not only saw Reggae Beach come in to view but also the finish line. Wahey! I ran up the beach to see only Chris McCormack (two-time Ironman World Champ) and Olympian Olivier Marceau had beaten me across the water. First female, third overall and my time of 62mins means I also took the record for fastest female for the cross channel swim. And I wasn’t eaten by a shark. Result!

Huge thanks to Winston Crooke and all the TriStar guys for such a top event. Thoroughly recommend it.

The main event here – the TriStar 111 triathlon – takes place this Saturday. Can’t wait!

Happy training all
EK