South African swimming sensation Natalie du Toit – considered the country’s best open water swimmer – has once again proved her talent by winning the 2007 Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge.

The race – which is held in Plettenberg Bay on the 28 th of December every year – took place in ideal conditions with gentle tailwinds and a low- to moderate swell.

“Before the start, Natalie said that she wanted to beat last year’s winning time of one hour and five minutes – and she sure did that,” said race director Mark Collins of event organisers Magnetic South. “In fact she clocked 55:13 to beat the first man home and last year’s winner – Bryan Difford – who finished in 59:21.

“It was an absolutely blistering performance from an enormously inspiring athlete.”

Ms. du Toit lost the lower part of her leg in a scooter accident less than two years before qualifying for the finals of the 800 meter freestyle event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. She took part in this year’s Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge – swimming without the aid of a prosthesis – as a gesture of support for the Sabrina Love Foundation, which raises funds to help children living with disabilities in Plettenberg Bay.

“Although it’s only five years old, the Sabrina is an event that’s already rich with tradition,” said Mr. Collins. “One of those traditions is the beach walk which is organised to provide moral support for the swimmers – and while 123 competitors took part in the swim, 152 people walked along Robberg Beach cheering them on.”

Other races on the day included a 10 km beach run (which was won by Wendell Mac Callum in 35:04 and Monica Nel in 46:48) and a 15 km paddle, which went to Graham Bird in 1:19:10 and, in the doubles, to Andrew Beveridge and Alexis Lyon – also in 1:19:10 . The Nippers paddled a 6 km course on their surf-lifesaver’s Malibus (Emma Dreyer 54:23; Richie Bryant 54:45) and the children’s 600m swim was won by Nicole Strydom in 5:25 and Jason Collins in 6:23.

“Above all, the Sabrina Love Ocean Challenge is about people helping people,” said Mr. Collins, “and besides Natalie, the races were supported by celebrities such as Derek Watts of Carte Blanche, Comrades King Bruce Fordyce and Duzi King and international G4 Challenge Champion, Martin Dreyer.

“In total 463 people participated this year and all entry fees went directly to the Sabrina Love Foundation – a situation made possible by a generous sponsorship from international family wealth advisers, Stonehage.”

Full results at www.magneticsouth.net ; more information about the Sabrina Love Foundation at www.sabrinalove.co.za