August 3, 2003 A.C. swim returns to international circuit By BILL LeCONEY Staff Writer, (609) 272-7187, E-Mail The Atlantic City Around the Island Marathon Swim is back on the international circuit and featuring a top-flight field of professional and amateur swimmers. The 221/2-mile (37-kilometer) swim, set for Saturday, has returned to the FINA World Cup marathon swim series after a one-year absence. Twenty-five professionals, including defending men's champion Igor Majcen of Slovenia and defending women's champion Shelley Clark of Australia, will contest the unique and demanding course through the rugged ocean surf, shifting inlet tides and grueling back bays. "The field looks strong, and the water is warming up," race director Mike Giegerich said. "We're still trying to scrape up some money for the purse." The purse for the race is currently at $20,000, but Giegerich said he would like to increase that amount to $30,000. The Around the Island swim is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The swim traces its roots to a pair of Atlantic City lifeguards, Ed Solitare and Ed "Dutch" Stetser, who accepted a $200 wager in 1953 that they could not successfully circle the island. The race expanded to include top international swimmers such as Dutchman Herman Willemse, who reeled off five straight victories from 1960-1964, and dominant Californian Paul Asmuth, who won seven times between 1980 and 1987. It was discontinued for several years in the late 1960s and early '70s, but revived after former Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan made a solo trip in 1978. The course begins at 9 a.m. at Gardner's Basin at the north end of Absecon Island, proceeding out of the inlet and around the island in a clockwise direction. After completing the ocean leg (approximately 10 miles) swimmers will return to Gardner's Basin via the back bays of Longport, Margate, Ventnor and Atlantic City. As the swimmers make their way around the course, they are greeted and cheered by spectators at key points, including the Longport jetty, the docks behind Margate and the Dorset Avenue Bridge in Ventnor. Homeowners along the inland waterway in Ventnor hold parties to cheer the swimmers on. The ocean temperature usually varies from 65-75 degrees. This summer, the ocean has been unusually cold due to upwelling, but Giegerich said it has warmed up considerably in the last few days. Each swimmer will be accompanied by an escort boat during the race. Depending on weather and water conditions, swimmers should finish approximately seven to nine hours after the race begins. The Around the Island Swim is the only FINA-sanctioned event in the United States. Defending World Cup champion Petar Stoychev of Bulgaria, who won last week's 32-kilometer race on Lake St. Jean in Canada, will return to Atlantic City. The only American professionals in the swim are Emily Watts and Sean Weaver. Perennial marathon competitor Claudio Plit of Argentina is also scheduled to swim. The amateur field is led by defending champion Cara Manlandro of Wildwood, who finished the 2002 race in nine hours, 52 minutes and 22 seconds. On Thursday, there will be a "Meet the Swimmers Night" fund-raiser ($10 per person) at St. George's Pub in Brigantine. For more information, contact Jean Jenkins at (609) 272-8821, or Lynn and Tom Devine at (609) 646-4069. On Friday, a "Twilight Cruise" ($25 per person) is set to leave Gardner's Basin at 7:45 p.m. For information, call Carol at (609) 641-8808. Any individuals or businesses that would like to help sponsor the Around the Island Swim should call Mike Giegerich at (609) 926-0714, or (609) 204-2873. To e-mail Bill LeConey at The Press: WLeconey@pressofac.com