Popular Mt. Lavinia two-mile sea swim on Sunday

Leslie FERNANDO

The swimmers from Dolphin AC, Ambalangoda, Prajapathi Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda, Sri Devananda College and P. de S. Kularatne Vidyalaya also from Ambalangoda who are famous for long distance swimming are expected to carry away major honours at the prestigious 72nd Mount Lavinia two mile sea swim on Sunday March 1 which starts from opposite the Mount Lavinia Hotel at 8.30 a.m.

The 72nd swim is conducted by the Interim Committee of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) and sponsored by Master Divers Marine and Under Water Services and co-sponsored by Mt. Lavinia Hotel. The Mt. Lavinia Hotel will provide all facilities to SLASU.

According to the Kiran Atapattu, Secretary, Interim Committee of SLASU and key member of the Organising Committee, a record number of 456 swimmers including 56 juvenile boys and girls will take plunge.

Kiran added that the Minister Maithripala Sirisena, President, SLASU and the organising committee thanked the sponsors for their support and assistance in helping to conduct this popular two mile sea swim which is still the 'Blue Riband' of long distance swimming in Sri Lanka.

Kiran further said that swimmers from Royal, St. Joseph's College, Police, Sri Lanka Army, Air Force, Rainbow AC will also offer stiff opposition to the swimmers from Ambalangoda in the men's team championships and men's aggregate highest points score trophies.

The first two mile sea swim was in March 1939 from a point opposite Boswell Place Wellawatta. Nine swimmers were told to go and swim the two miles identified by David Vast. All nine turned up at the beach opposite the Bathing Pavilion of the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

They were in this order Buster Schofield (Otter AC), R. H. Collins (Colombo Swimming Club), Frank Swan (Otter AC), Grey Roszkowski (OAC), I. M. Ward (CH & FC), D. Evarts (Kinross Swimming Club), E. Steinwall (KSC), S. H. Mihlar (KSC), Guy A. Thaideman (OAC). Frank Swan won it. Geoff C. Marks of Fishtail Aquatic Club, Mutwal holds the record winning the open two-mile sea swim Mt. Lavinia for nine successive years. Geoff first won it in 1952 and continued till 1960 - a great feat from the swimmer from Mutwal.

Douglas V. Arndt formerly of Otter AC won for six successive years 1946 to 1951. K. P. N. Pathmadeva (Devananda College, Ambalangoda) has won four times 1972-1975, R. M. Pradeep Chandrika (Devananda College) won five times 1991 to 1995, Ajith Weerakkody (Devananda College and Sri Lanka Navy) four times 1998-2001. The swim for women started in 1957 and Tara Bolling (Julian's mother and late F. C. de Saram's eldest daughter) has won the swim six times 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964 and 1965. R. M. Dhammika of Devananda College won it in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1991 while Upeka Samarawickrema of St. Bridget's Convent won it from 1994 to 1997 four times. Last year Pasindu Thamalsha of Dolphin AC, Ambalangoda won the men's race (42.49 secs) while Chalani Darshani of Prajapathi Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda won the women's event (47.41 secs).

The Trophies are on offer are Tomlinson Challenge Cup (Men's Champion), Dr. H. T. Anthonis Challenge Cup (Women's champion), The Mt. Lavinia Hotel Challenge Cup (Men's team championship), The Half Past Nine (HPN) Challenge Cup (Men's aggregate highest points score), Inter-Services Championship Trophy, Bata Challenge Cup and Diana Challenge Cup (boys youngest swimmer), B. G. A. Wilson Challenge Cup (girls youngest swimmer), Colombo Mayor's Challenge Cup (women's team championship), Otter AC Challenge Cup (oldest men's swimmer), Panadura AC Challenge Cup (oldest women swimmer) and Bank of Ceylon Challenge Cup (Disabled swimmer).