WITH so many blue flags being awarded for our beaches these days, perhaps it was entirely appropriate for a student of environmental 5 to win the annual Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim, sponsored by The Irish Times, last evening.

Matt Hickmott (25), of the Glenalbyn club, celebrated his first open sea season in triumph and in style.

"The water in Dublin Bay was always too cold for me to swim there," said Hickmott, who puts his success down to endurance built up by training indoors at his club preparing for triathlons, such as the ultimate Iron Man test this year in Germany.

And he only returned to swimming two years ago after almost 20 years out of the sport.

"I will admit I was really cream crackered towards the end. I first realised I was ahead well after the band stand and just kept going. The roars from the crowd helped a lot," he said after beating a field of 158.

Hickmott had a handicap of 10 minutes, and coincidentally contributes much of his success to his trainer at Glenalbyn, one Heidi Kinsella, who happened to be the winner of the women's race.

Frank Chatham of North Dublin came home second to Hickmott with John Keegan of Otter in third place. The fastest time was recorded by Steve Saunders of Trojan. He started on the back marker of 20 minutes and clocked 26 minutes 51 seconds for the one and three quarter mile journey.

John Morton (10) from Wicklow finished a highly creditable filth. Terenure College led by Kevin Williamson took the team prize.

Heidi Kinsella had to battle hard to fend off her Glenalbyn club mates for the women's top spot. Orla Furey and Linda Clarke were close up finishers in the second and third places.

Ireland's world masters champion, Claire O'Dwyer, finished 10th off a handicap of 7.30.