Ward wins in marathon swim

A HIGHTON swimmer has taken top honours in her first international event.

Rachel Ward was the first female over the line in the 36km solo open swim at the Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli in Italy.

The event is one of the longest-running professional marathon swims, and sees hundreds of participants swim from the Marina Grande in Capri to the Naples seafront.

Ward spent more than nine and a half hours in the Mediterranean, rolling her arms over and over in between short food and drink breaks on her way to victory.

The two-time Pier to Pub champion said she was rapt with her result.

“It was amazing … It was a long-term goal, with over a year or so of training put into it.

“I’d never swum that distance before, but I got inspired by a fellow Pier to Pub organiser … It sounded like fun and was a great challenge and something a bit different.

“The swim itself was amazing … It was definitely a step up to go to the 36km. I actually had to learn how to swim slower, but to go longer.”

On top of her accolade of winning the women’s category, Ward finished second overall, a feat she was incredibly proud of.

“I beat all the other men coming in, which was fantastic,” she said.

“Really my goal was to just finish and not to place or be competitive in that way … I had no expectations or idea what to expect.

“It was only because my brother was on the guide boat that he told me I was in second place. It was great that I ended up being competitive as well.”