(Willie) Willy-Van-Rijsel, Daily Mail Race, 1950

Cap-Gris-Nez. Daily Mail Race, 1950. (Willie) Willy-Van-Rijsel being greased up for the race.

(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.

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