THREE Bournemouth area swimmers returned with gold medals after joining 400 of the world’s bravest – and some would say maddest – swimmers at the annual UK Cold Water Championships.
The water temperature at London’s Tooting Bec Lido was a cool 3C – but that was not enough to deter members of East Dorset Open Water SC, who entered the spirit of the occasion by donning Edwardian costume for the relay.
In fact Ali Budynkiewicz also dressed Edwardian-style for her individual breaststroke heat and still managed to reach her age group final, which she won by 0.03sec.
Medals also went to Bev Murray, who won gold in the 30yds freestyle and bronze in the breaststroke, and Claire Haywood, who came first in her freestyle event and also reached the breaststroke final.
Annie Richardson just missed on the medals in both her events.
Phil Richardson and Mark Vides both completed the strength-sapping 450m endurance swim in under 10 minutes.
Dave Rimmington, Ray Budynkiewicz and Bournemouth Spartan Keith Cummings just missed out on the men’s frontcrawl finals.
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