Relative newcomer smashes his rivals

Perth City Swim Club member Andrew Donaldson smashed his rivals to win the 2015 Albany Harbour Swim by more than four minutes in pristine conditions at Princess Royal Harbour on Saturday morning.

Having only started competing in ocean swims in the past six months, Donaldson was far too strong for his rivals in the annual 4km race in Albany as he stopped the clock in 46min.23sec to finish well ahead of Mt Barker's Kyle Bario in 50:18.

Bradley Smith (51:15), Michael Swaddle (53:47) and Damien McAleese (54:22) rounded out the top five overall positions.

Donaldson said it was a thrill to win the race at his first attempt.

"It was the first time I had been to Albany and the conditions, they were spectacular," he said.

"In a point to point race you look up and feel like you have travelled nowhere but the water and swim was lovely.

"It was good to have some distance in there, it makes the final couple of hundred metres a lot easier."

The 24-year-old said he was keen to keep competing in open water events around the State.

"It's always fun to do races in fantastic locations, rather than swimming in a pool," he said.

"I am still quite new to the sport but I am looking to try and do a few more of these swims.

"Hopefully I can come back next year."

After being the second female to finish last year, Caitlyn James won the female section of the event this year in a time of 54:36 which placed her sixth overall as well.

Carolyn Gorrick (55:50) and Stephanie Gaudin (56:09) were the next fastest females to complete the swim.

Kieren Jon Lawrenson won the male wetsuit category and Georgina Cameron won the female wetsuit division while Gabriela Canyons were the fastest mixed duo in 1hr.02min.26 and Dana Wildfish (1:09:10) were the first mixed quad team across the line.

The event, which was run by Masters Swimming Albany, attracted 129 competitors and was a huge success according to organiser Kaye Bolger.

"It went very well, everybody who started finished," Bolger said.