winning the annual Trunk Island race, breaking the record in the process.

A total of 263 swimmers emerged from the waters of Harrington Sound with Tassa shaving over half a minute off the previous best time of 16 minutes, eight seconds for the 1,365 metres distance from the island to the Palmetto Bay Hotel in Flatts.

The youngster touched home in 15:32, more than a minute ahead of second place finisher Kevin Insley (16.33) of local club Sharks.

Defending champion Richard Stent (16:36) was third despite bettering his winning mark of 17:14 from last year.

Dynamo and Harbour Swim Club dominated the top spots, each with four members in top 10 positions. Harbour's Trevor Ferguson (17:05), who was fourth, was their number one finisher while Olympian Geri Mewett (17:42), Sean Smatt (17.44) and another Olympic athlete Jenny Smatt (17:47) were eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.

However, Dynamo showed themselves to be a class above, also taking first female honours. In that category, Sabra Brannon (17:34), seventh overall, managed to hold off her rival Smatt. Brannon's teammate Claire Smith (17:59) was third.

A tight race concluded the Masters category with Duncan Newby (18:52) outlasting Jim Hinton (18:55) in a very close finish. Newby wound up 17th overall, while Hinton was two slots back in 19th.

In the 12 and under section Trevor Nelson (19:31) won out over Michael Hanson (19:41), Jessica Sousa (22:16) splashed in first among the 10 and under competitors from Devananda Smith (24:38).

Richard Jones (34:11) was the first to emerge among those eight and under, with Erica Frith (59:03) second.

JERRY TASSA -- Won yesterday's Trunk Island Swim in record time.