Jan Van Hemsbergen
Jan Van Hemsbergen Holland who swam in the Daily Mail Festval of Britain race from France to England in 14 hours 30 minutes on August 16th 1951. He was the eleventh male to finish, fifteenth overall in the race.
He had previously swam many races in Holland since 1929. 1931 to 1933 he was the Netherlands National champion for 400 and 1500 metres Champion Amstel race (2 Kms). 1948 and 1949 he trained for the Channel, repeatedly swimming 15 kms. 1950 he swam 40 kms in twelve and half hours.
He was determind to be the first Dutchman to swim the Channel. He was puny and sickly as a child and his physician prescribed swimming to build his body.
From the Sam Rockett Collection. A Black and White photograph.
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