Nedlands swimmer takes Rottnest line honours
Tim Hewitt has taken line honours at this year's Rottnest Channel Swim.
In what organisers described as near-perfect conditions, an exhausted Hewitt completed the gruelling 19.7km event in 4 hours 41min. 35sec.
It was a logical progression for the Nedlands-based swimmer, who finished third in 2009 and second last year.
Hewitt was followed by a fast-finishing Oliver Wilkinson.
Ross Briggs, Chris Guard, Sean Noone and Ricky Smith of "20km Any Day" were the first team to hit Thomson Bay in 4:36:59.
Louise Stevenson, 29, was the first female to finish - and third overall - reaching the island in a time of 4:56:42.
Simon Le Couillard and Heidi Gan were the first-placed duo, hitting the beach in a time of 4:57:28.
An estimated 2300 competitors battled an unusual north-north-west swell. But light offshore winds made for ideal swimming conditions.
The first solo swimmers jumped into the water at Cottesloe Beach at 5.45am. Groups followed every 15 minutes until 7.30am.
Picture: Ray Raab, Seven News
RESULTS
SOLO
Tim Hewitt (4:50:49)
Oliver Wilkinson (4:56:27)
Louise Stevenson (4:56:42)
Jaime Bowler (5:00:12)
DUO
Team Stryker (Heidi Gan and Simon Le Couilliard) (4:27:29)
Webhil (Gram Hill and Rowan Webb)
TEAM
20km Any Day (Ross Briggs, Chris Guard, Sean Noone and Ricky Smith)
CHARITY CHALLENGE
Statewide Oil Slammers (David Locke, James O'Toole, Todd Pearson and Greg Tate)
