The CS&PF would like to extend our congratulations to Sarah Thomas on her four-way English Channel swim. It was an historic and extraordinarily tough undertaking and we know how hard she worked for it. As the saying goes: 'Nothing great is easy.'

Sarah Thomas’s achievement is an inspiration to others and we in the CS&PF wonder whether anybody will ever be able to emulate it.

Her swim has captured the imagination of a world far bigger than the niche environment of Channel swimming. It was an outstanding feat of endurance and triumph over adversity.

In the history of our sport there can be no finer example of courage, determination and mental fortitude than Sarah’s swim. It is, quite simply, the English Channel swim of our age.

Every superlative that has been directed Sarah's way is entirely deserved. This also applies to her support team and to Eddie Spelling, Rob Thompson and Michael Spelling of Anastasia.

It is worth remembering, perhaps, that, in 1926, Getrude Erdele became the sixth person and first woman to swim the English Channel solo. Now, some ninety-three years later, her fellow compatriot has achieved something that would have barely been conceivable in that time.

Congratulations Sarah. We wish you success in your future ventures.

CS&PF Committee

• 1-way time : 11:26:50 (11:26:50)
• 2-way time : 24:07:04 (12:40:14)
• 3-way time : 37:05:20 (12:58:16)
• 4-way time : 54:10:00 (17:04:40)