Blueseventy Helix-clad swimmers took the men’s and women’s elite crowns in the Great London Swim today amid over 5,000 swimmers in the East India Docks of London.

Tom Allen and Isabelle Haerle won victories over a stellar field. Isabelle said of her win, “It was always going to be hard to win with Keri-Ann and Cassie Patten in the race and a field of the best girls in swimming. It was a tough race and I had to give it all I had to take the victory.”

Tom, fresh from his win at the Great North Swim in Windermere, understood the speed and tactics necessary to seal his victory. “[Second-place] Dave [Curry] went out quick which surprised me, but I just had to sit close and run a smart race until I knew it was the right time to go. I am delighted to take another win in this Great Swim series and in the great setting of the docklands.”

The 5,000+ swimmers raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, each with their own motivations for finishing their own personal Great Swim.

In the wetsuit wars, blueseventy emerged victorious. Most of the elite field chose to wear the Helix wetsuit. Andy Caine, Elite Athlete Manager, explained, “We leave it up to the athletes regarding the wetsuit they wear. The Helix is the request of the world’s greatest open water swimmers at our events.”

The top 5 elite swimmer results:

1. Tom Allen (GBR) 16:31.22
2. Dave Carry (GBR) 16:35.20
3. Jan Wolfgarten (GER) 16:42.95
4. Richard Charlesworth (GBR) 16:48.29
5. Troy Prinsloo (RSA) 16:54.72

1. Isabelle Haerle (GER) 17:56.39
2. Keri-Anne Payne (GBR) 17:58.67
3. Maaike Waaijer (NED) 17:58.92
4. Cassandra Patten (GBR) 18:02.73
5. Charlotte Wooliscroft (GBR) 18:05.20

Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source