THERE were 16 club members in the annual Troutbeck Bridge Swimming Club's Cross Lake Championship including a number who were adding a whole new experience to their swimming careers.

Starting from the western side of Windermere in Bark House Bay and finishing at Millerground, the one mile crossing takes approximately 25 minutes in normal conditions and requires a fair amount of open water training to adjust to the lake's varying conditions and water temperatures, which on this occasion were almost perfect.

With a fine evening the water temperature had risen to just over 60F and with a slight breeze from south to north, the swimmers were able to make good progress throughout.

Safety boats quickly picked up their respective swimmers as they established a steady rhythm over the first quarter-of-a-mile.

Paul Langhorn, 15, took off at a blistering pace, however, and took an early lead.

Former champion Tina Jackson endeavored to chase him down, while John Jackson, another strong contender, also kept well in touch with the two leaders.

Showing little sign of cracking under the pressure, Langhorn led at the halfway mark and on the run for home continued to hold off the challenge of the Jacksons.

With very little drift or swell the race began to take on the look of a sprint finish.

Meanwhile, tucking in behind the leaders were Robert Hodgson, last year's champion Heather Clough and Sue Aitken and all fighting to stay with the gruelling pace.

Coming in sight of the shore, the lead swimmers all upped the tempo, but Langhorn fought off all their attacks and with a brilliant sprint to the line seized the Overall Championship at his first attempt, in 22mins:50secs.

He also took the Men's Championship and the medal for the first Junior making it a clean sweep.

Former champion Jackson had to be content with the runners-up place in 23:41 and the Ladies Championship.

John Jackson was third overall and second in the Men's Championship, in 24:06s.

Clough took second in the Ladies Championship in 25:57.

There was an outstanding performance from 13-year-old Andrew Williamson who was second in the Junior Championship in 31:56. Many of the swimmers are now looking forward to the 2k Open Cross lake later in the year.