Australian swimmer Chloe McCardel recently crossed the English Channel for the 35th time – surpassing the men’s record for the most crossings from England to northern France. The 35-year-old left Dover about 5am (AEST) before reaching France in 10 hours and 40 minutes.
Prior to the 35-kilometre swim, McCardel’s tally for Channel crossings was equal to British swimmer Kevin Murphy’s men’s record, which was set in 2006. Her successful attempt means only one swimmer has crossed the channel more times than she has.
McCardel, who has crossed the channel four times in recent weeks, is still eight swims short of equaling Alison Streeter’s women’s record of 43 crossings. The Melbourne-raised Sydneysider already holds multiple world records, including the longest unassisted ocean swim in the Bahamas.
Tszyu too good for Horn
Boxer Tim Tszyu and his team are already planning their next move after an emphatic victory over Jeff Horn in Townsville on August 26. Tszyu was dominant from the opening round and it was clear he had taken giant strides between fights as he toyed with Horn for eight rounds before it was stopped before the ninth.
Looking every inch a world-class fighter in the mould of his legendary father Kostya, the 25-year-old IBF Australasian Super Welterweight and WBO Global Super Welterweight champion has now won 16 consecutive fights.
Tour alters podium presentation
The Tour de France is ceasing its tradition of having two hostesses handing out prizes on the podium, opting for a gender-equal ceremony, the race director said in late August.
“You used to see the champion flanked with two hostesses, with five local representatives on one side and five sponsor representatives on the other,” Christian Prudhomme told reporters. “Now, it’s going be different, with one local representative and one representative of the yellow jersey sponsor, with one host and one hostess for the first time.”
The Tour de France started in Nice on August 29.
South Sydney makes a statement
South Sydney has not kept a club scoreless since Round 11 of 2014 against the Sharks, which was the last year the Rabbitohs won the premiership. Rugby league reporter John Lanzky says Souths’ emphatic 38-0 victory over Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium on August 27 is a sign the team is on track for glory in 2020.
Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds combined brilliantly. Rookies Steven Marsters and Jaxson Paulo created opportunities throughout the game. Latrell Mitchell caused havoc in the first half before suffering a hamstring injury and spending the remainder of the night on the bench with ice strapped to his leg. Sadly, Mitchell will now miss the rest of the season.
The win was Souths’ first against a top-four side this season – and a clear statement of intent. Next up the Rabbitohs face the Storm at ANZ Stadium, the Tigers at Bankwest, then the Bulldogs and Roosters. If the team keeps playing this well, anything can happen – even dancing in the street come late October!
