Ideal swimming conditions along with sunny skies and warm temperatures made for some very fast swimming at event one of the ground-breaking Aqua Sphere Powered 3.8km long Swim Series.

Well over 200 swimmers took to the water at South Cerney, near Cirencester on Sunday July 5th to test themselves over an accurately measured course, based on the official Ironman swim distance.

After setting a cracking pace and breaking early from the bunch, Tim Room emerged as the overall winner in an exceptionally fast time of 46 minutes 30 seconds. Not far behind in second place was veteran Sean Kinsey, also in a very fast time of 47mins 15 secs. Third place went to Geoff Twinning in 48 mins 14 secs.

The women's race was a keenly fought affair with the top four women all finishing within 30 seconds of each other. Jessica Wooddisse was first out of the water in a very fast time of 51 minutes 12 seconds. Right on her heals was Diane Lee who finished just two seconds behind her in 51.14. Junior competitor Nicole Walters had a great swim to finish third overall in 51.33.

An exciting start to what promises to be very competitive series. The second event in the series at Box ends on July19th promises as keenly contested and will no doubt produce more fast swimming.

Race three in The Aqua Sphere Powered 3.8km long Swim Series throws up a whole new challenge when it takes place in the sea off Bournemouth. The overall series winners will then be crowned after the final event which takes place at Dorney Lake on September 6th.

For more information on the swims series or to enter visit; www.votwo.co.uk .