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Natalie du Toit: Breaks cold-water swim’s
22-year-old record — proving that nothing can limit her freedom
27 Apr 2009
CAPE TOWN —
Paralympics champion Natalie du Toit overcame a
three-and-a-half-hour delayed start, sea temperatures of 13°C
and a tough field of local and international swimmers to win the
eighth annual Cadiz Vista Nova Freedom Swim from Robben Island
to Bloubergstrand on Sunday afternoon.
In so doing, Du Toit broke the women’s record for the fastest
swim between the island and Blouberg’s Big Bay, a distance of
7,5 km characterised by cold water, strong currents and other
challenges thrown up by the elements.
Over 270 swimmers (solos and relay swimmers) entered the race
with about 250 finally taking to the water on Sunday afternoon.
The event raises funds for the Vista Nova School for children
with special needs.
It is widely regarded as one of the most extreme sea swim races
in the world due to the cold water, which can lead to
hypothermia, and the shark-infested waters.
It was initially scheduled for Saturday, but rain, wind and
adverse sea conditions led to a postponement. On Sunday, the 10
am start was delayed when heavy fog caused safety concerns.
The race finally got under way at about 1.40 pm when the fog
lifted and swimmers were able to see the route clearly.
Du Toit and 22-year-old open water swimming sensation Tyron
Venter immediately set the pace.
Du Toit, whose left leg was amputated below the knee in 2001,
narrowly won in a time of one hour, 35 minutes and 45 seconds,
less than a minute in front of Venter.
Du Toit broke the record for the fastest woman to have completed
the route, which had stood for 22 years.
She said afterwards that conditions were ideal and that
delighted as she was to have won, she felt privileged to have
participated in an event that raised funds for the children of
Vista Nova School.
Venter, who has won the men’s division for three years in a row,
said he enjoyed the swim and looked forward to next year’s
event, which organisers say will draw a field of close to 400
local and international extreme swimmers.
Solo swimmers participate in only a swimming cap and costume
while some relay divisions allow for wetsuits.
Four development relay teams participated and a team from Paul
Roos Gymnasium won the schools’ relay competition.
The youngest swimmer was 15-year-old Robert Mason, who finished
the race in one hour, 50 minutes and six seconds.
Veteran long-distance swimmer Theo Yach completed a record 54th
Robben Island channel crossing.
The event sponsor is Cadiz Financial Strategy Group, while OTC
Pharma, which produces multi-nutrient Marcus Rohrer Spirulina,
was the sub-sponsor.
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Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, Swimming
has been one of the main sports of the Paralympics. As in
the Olympic Games, competitors measure their skills in
Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Breaststroke and Medley
events. In 2008, athletes from more than 80 countries
practice the sport, with male and female competitors having
either a physical disability or blindness/visual impairment.
Athletes are classified based on their functional ability to
perform each stroke. Swimming is governed by the IPC and
co-ordinated by the IPC Swimming Technical Committee, which
incorporates the rules of the International Swimming
Federation (FINA). The FINA rules are followed with a few
modifications, such as optional platform or in-water starts
for some races and the use of signals or ‘tappers’ for
swimmers with blindness/visual impairment; however, no
prostheses or assistive devices are permitted.
Competition Description
A FINA standard eight-lane 50m pool is required for
competition at the Paralympic Games. Events are conducted as
heats for eight competitors per class and with the fastest
eight swimmers per class competing in the finals. There are
various forms for swimmers to start their race; in the
water, a dive start sitting on the starting platform or the
typical standing start.
During a Swimming event, swimmers who are blind are required
to have an assistant to help him/her as he or she approaches
the swimming pool end wall, either to make a turn or for the
finish of the race. This process is called tapping and
performed by a "tapper". These swimmers are also required to
wear blackened goggles in all their events.
History
Swimming has been part of the Paralympic programme since
the first Games in Rome in 1960. During the Games in Sydney
2000, 352 men and 216 women from 62 countries participated
and more than 200,000 spectators attended the Swimming
events over nine days of competition. The level of the
athletes' performances at the Paralympic Games have
constantly improved over the years as a result of more
intense and efficient training methods.
Sports Equipment
Swimming suits: The clothing for
swimmers is a bathing suit. It is forbidden for athletes to
use anything that may aid the swimmers speed, buoyancy, or
endurance.
Other equipment: Swimming caps and
protective eye-goggles are permitted. The goggles protect
the swimmers' eyes as well as improving their vision in the
water.
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