Photo by Claudia Gardner
Lucea's Cross the Harbour 2007 swim champion Derrick McIntosh (left), is congratulated by meet organiser Othneil Pryce, shortly after passing the finish line on Wednesday.

Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

LUCEA, Hanover:

Seven-time entrant Derrick McIntosh of Montego Bay, St. James, outswam seven other contestants to lift the Hanover Chamber of Commerce's Annual Cross the Harbour Swim Championship in Lucea on Wednesday.

McIntosh clocked 22 minutes and 54 seconds to complete the one-mile race across the Lucea Harbour ahead of fellow Montegonian, Desmond Chin, who timed 30 minutes and 34 seconds, and third place finisher, 18-year-old Brad Solarge of Lucea, who clocked 32 minutes and three seconds.

McIntosh, who is a watersports manager at the Breezes Montego Bay resort, told The Gleanerthat he had been training since last year following his third-place finish at the meet held back then.

"I have been entering 'Cross the Harbour' since the 1980s and I usually come fourth, fifth and third last year, so I am happy that it has finally paid off," he said.

McIntosh claimed for himself the championship trophy plus the first place cash prize of $25,000, while Chin received $10,000. Third place finisher Solarge received a mobile phone and a $10,000 cash award for being the top Hanoverian in the race.

Also participating in the race was French visitor Virginia Montet, who was also the lone female contender she ended up at the bottom of the tables, she received $10,000 for being the first female.

Eleven-year-old Sullivan Ricketts of Britain was also a contender in the race, but she only managed to complete half the distance.