Dolphins Best in West as Rotto Records Tumble

Powerful performances from a number of Australian Dolphins have headlined one of the country’s most iconic swimming events, as a series of records were smashed at the 33rd Rottnest Channel Swim.

 

Open Water stalwart and Dolphins Athlete Leader Bailey Armstrong smashed the Male Solo record, while Griffith University club teammates Mack Horton, Cody Simpson, Bowen Gough and Josh Edwards-Smith combined to set a new record in the Male teams event.

 

The Dolphins took full advantage of yesterday’s pristine conditions, spearheading their respective fields through the 19.7km course from Cottesloe Beach to Thomson Bay on Rottnest Island.

 

Fresh from his impressive campaign at last month’s Open Water Championships in Busselton, Armstrong blitzed the field to shave 11 minutes off the previous Male solo record and finish in 3:48.11, ahead of Australian 5km Champion Kyle Lee in second. 

 

Despite their lack of open water experience, the team of Horton, Simpson, Gough and Edwards-Smith came into the event with high expectations, and they certainly delivered.

 

Horton led off with a strong opening 1500m leg to lay the foundations, before the team’s carefully considered interval and changeover strategy kept them well ahead of record pace.

 

The quartet were rarely challenged as their greatest competitor remained the clock – one they ultimately defeated to finish in a new record time of 3:33.49, bettering the previous mark by three minutes. 

 

The victory took on extra significance for Perth local Edwards-Smith, with his father skippering the support boat central to the team’s record breaking effort.