Willy Van Rijsel at Folkestone pool, signed photo

(Willie) Willy Van Rijsel

(Willie) Willy Croes Van Rijsel, Amsterdam.

Willi Van Rijsel swam in the 1950 Daily Mail Race, 4hrs 10mins, and covered 7 1/2miles before retiring from the swim; the pilot boat was Rose Marie II. Willi was 33 years old at the time of the swim.

She made two previous attempts in 1949; the first on the 29th of July when she swam for 14hrs 15mins. Started at Cap-Gris-Nez and finished 2 miles off shore between Dover and St. Margarets – she was sick and cold. Her other swim she again failed, after starting at Cap-Gris-Nez and swimming for 16hrs 52mins – she was sick several times and unable to take much food and was within 2 miles of Dover when she gave up. Her pilot was John”Pop” Burwell and the boat the ”June Rose”. Her trainer was Ted Temme whom she later married.

From the Sam Rockett collection. A Black and White photograph.

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