THERE was a dramatic finish to this year's Pier to Pier Race on Saturday.
Maidenhead's Alastair Bingham led a group of four frontrunners home, finishing the 63rd annual race in 31.36 minutes.
David Stannard from Reading was second in 31.43 minutes and the Isle of Wight's Aidan Pierce was third, in 31.48 minutes.
Katie Shepherd from Trinity Swimming Club was the fastest lady, in 37.09 minutes, and the Isle of Wight Marlins Club's Lindsey Shenton was the first Island woman home, in 38.03 minutes.
Race safety officer Bob Cooper said: “Yet again we were blessed with perfect weather and sea conditions and the 76 swimmers all had good swims.
“I thank all the kayakers and canoeists, the lifeboats crews from Sandown and Ryde and the Shanklin deep sea fishermen for their assistance in making sure there was the required safety cover.
“It is proposed to hold the 66th Pier to Pier on Saturday, August 11 2018, starting at noon.”
• See Friday's County Press for the full report and photos.