THREE women who work in Skipton have formed three-quarters of a relay team that has just succeeded in swimming across the English Channel.

Craven District Council swimming coach Christine Bradley and Skipton Building Society employees Lucy Mallinson, of Appletreewick, and Claire Humphris, of Bradley, joined Doncaster's Leon Fryer to swim from Dover to Calais – though they actually reached the shore of France just north of Dunkirk, having swum double the distance they were anticipating!

The shortest distance possible is about 21 miles, but the team found they had actually swum 42 miles when they made dry land, thanks to the action of tides, currents and the famously choppy waters of the Channel.

Christine, of Silsden, said: "Obviously, we knew it was going to be very hard, but we were surprised to find we had swum so far – we thought it would be more like 27 miles or so.

"The 'Channel chop' was difficult and the water temperature was about 15 degrees. Setting off in the dark was very challenging – we started at 1.15am. But seeing the sunrise made it all worthwhile."

The strict rules for Channel swims allow participants to wear only a standard swimsuit, goggles and a cap – definitely no wetsuits.

Back-up for the team was provided by a few crew members on a small sailing boat, and the entire effort was monitored by a representative of the Channel Swim and Pilot Federation. Each swimmer did a one-hour turn in the water, not being allowed to touch the boat at any time. Food and drink was passed down on a line. Changeovers had to take place in the water so there was constantly someone in the sea.

Christine added: "The time on the boat was worse than being in the sea – it is moving so slowly and the swell was causing some seasickness. We went through some jellyfish, too, but their stings weren't too bad – like nettle stings really.

"There was a fantastic sense of achievement when we finished, even if we had swum far further than we'd intended."

Each team member has been raising cash for various charities. And Christine said she was so taken by the experience she will be attempting a solo swim in September next year.

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