Weather delays Channel relay bid

Thursday 1st September 2005, 12:00AM BST.

THE cross-Channel relay bid by seven Jersey swimmers was called off on Thursday morning because of high winds and rough seas.

The team – Sally Minty-Gravett, Ian Jones, Sarah-Jane Sterling, Ilse Eiselen, Anthony Smith, Lucy Biard and Bill Aston – had planned to leave Dover for France at 9.45 am.

But they were forced to abandon the attempt when the skipper of their guard boat declined to go out in winds of Force 5 to 6 increasing.

‘Conditions weren’t good at all,’ said Minty-Gravett.

‘It’s disappointing but there’s just a chance we’ll be able to go tonight.

If not we’ll look at having a go next year.’ All the swimmers except Aston have completed successful solo crossings this summer and Minty-Gravett thought their relay crossing would have been a first.

The team’s sponsors Colin Stewart (C.I.) Ltd have agreed to hold over the cash for a bid in 2006.

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