I have a theory that the swim might well have got shortened is they had taken the temperature from the middle of the lake not the side. The temperature was supposedly the same as last year only this year I couldn't put my head into the water for more than about 5 seconds in the netire swim and my vision was going weird by half way. I think a cap or a cowl may well be called for (since I am unashamedly a wuss wioth cold water).

Having said that, the whole event is lovely. Gorgeous lake to swim in, lovely bike on (mostly) quiet roads round the new forest and a run partly on quiet roads and partly on firm tracks in same said forest. Can't be beat.