Last year’s winner of the annual King William’s College Derbyhaven Bay swim is celebrating after retaining her title in 2009.

Sophie White, 15, came home in a time of 15 minutes – almost a minute faster than the runner-up, Sam Fry, and nearly two minutes ahead of the fastest teacher taking part, Mike Hebden.

This year, 27 pupils (13 boys and 14 girls) and eight members of staff took part in the half-mile Derbyhaven Bay swim.

The event was a handicap race until 1890; 2009 is the 112th time the swim has taken place since results began to be recorded in 1891.

Sophie received both the Winner's Trophy and the Joanna Crookall Trophy which is awarded to the first female finisher. Sam’s runner up time meant both swimmers recorded faster times than they have done in previous years.

Twins Murray and Voirrey Acheson, swimming for the first time, finished in seventh and eleventh place respectively.

Three members of staff finished well behind the rest though, including Father Huw Mordecai who spent a record 42 minutes in the water!

Dr Sarah Welch, Principal of King William’s College, commented 'This was my first Derbyhaven Bay Swim and I would like to say congratulations to the pupils and staff who took part and braved the large number of jelly fish in the sea.

'It is quite a spectacular event to watch and something which takes a lot of courage to compete in. I am very proud of all of our competitors.'