Students win English Channel open-water relay against Cambridge

Cole Mason (2024, MSc Nature, Society and Environmental Governance) and Madelyn Letendre (2024, MSc Clinical and Therapeutic Neuroscience) won the open-water English Channel relay against Cambridge on Friday 11 July. They competed in a team with four other Oxford swimmers, battled the harsh conditions of the channel to retain the trophy for Oxford and most importantly, raised money for the Ocean Conservation Trust.

Cole has kindly provided a summary of the relay below for the Hall community:

“In the late-night hours of July 11, the Anastasia left the docks at Dover with sights set for Calais, carrying six Oxford swimmers and two Teddy Hall postgraduates. Madelyn Letendre, reading for an MSc in Therapeutic and Translational Neuroscience and Cole Mason, pursuing an MSc in Nature, Society, and Environmental Governance, represented Teddy’s for the biennial Oxford vs. Cambridge relay across the English Channel. Founded in 1998, this year marked the 14th occasion of the event. Six swimmers per university pledge to alternate swimming one-hour lengths through the cold waters until the coast of France is underfoot, in addition to committing to raising funds for charity in the months leading up. This year was swum in support of the Ocean Conservation Trust, an organisation pursuing a positive, people-centred approach toward ocean restoration and protection. The team was gratefully supported by the crew of the Anastasia, who assured a safe passage, diligently logged the group’s swim, and made sure the attempt conformed to regulations.

A longtime swimmer, Madelyn Letendre hails from Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she specialised in long distance freestyle. She attended the United States Air Force Academy where she continued her swimming career and developed an interest in the mental health of military servicepeople. Cole Mason of Fort Collins, Colorado, grew up swimming and continued his athletic career at Williams College, focusing primarily on long distance freestyle and IM. Academically, he is interested in decarbonisation and public land governance. Both will be staying at Teddy Hall for a second year, pursuing the Master of Public Policy and continuing to swim on the Oxford Blues. Their relay team was rounded out by fellow Oxford University Swim Club members: Eve Hewlett of Hertford College, Joshua Robinson of Magdalen College, Milo Holland of Magdalen College, and Samuel Nichols of Corpus Christi College.

At 11:42pm, Joshua ran down the beach of Dover against his Cambridge opponent to kick off the long swim. With a full moon and calm seas, the conditions were ripe for a speedy crossing. Upon the end of the first hour, Joshua had established a solid lead against Cambridge’s Pathfinder, and Milo was set to swim. The duo faced the team’s first swarm of jellyfish upon their transition, Joshua taking the brunt of the stings. Milo took over with a high-tempo swim as the team on deck began alternating taking naps and cheering him on as he passed the 15-, 30-, and 45- minute marks. Cole took on the third leg in the choppy, dark waters of the central channel, leaning heavily on his years of distance training, and keeping his eyes locked on the boat light with each breath. At 2:42am, Madelyn jumped in behind Cole to take over, swimming strongly as the first glimpses of dawn textured the sky:

“Madelyn is swimming well, she has found her sweet spot besides Anastasia…. The sky is starting to lighten up, sun rise is still a way off but the moon is amazing.” (Observer Liaison notes in the Swim Log)

Sam swam a strong, sustained leg as he pulled the group further ahead of Cambridge, a lead the team would look to hold as they passed the halfway point. At the end of his hour, Eve’s long-awaited swim came as the sun crested the horizon. She was the last member of the team to hit the water, her steady pace pulling the sun further into the sky. It was the end of the sixth hour that meant the first swimmers of the relay were gearing up for a second swim. Joshua and Milo put in two more good efforts, with Cole taking on what would be the last full hour. Working hard to put the team in a good position to finish, Madelyn prepared for the last dash up the rocky shore of France:

“Cole is done in, he has given it his all. Brilliant swim. Madelyn is going down the ladder to the platform. Madelyn in, Cole out so slick, And she is off!”

After fourteen minutes of hard swimming, Madelyn came in with the waves at Cap Nez landing. From the safe depths of the water, the team cheered as she triumphantly mounted a rock and enthusiastically pumped her fists in the air. 9 hours and 14 minutes, the fastest relay crossing of the Channel recorded this year.

Madelyn, Cole, and their teammates celebrated the crossing with sun-bathed naps on the boat back to the United Kingdom, and are grateful for a safe passage and excellent support crew. Swimming across the channel was a memorable experience and achievement the six swimmers are proud of, and of course, they are beyond pleased to keep the trophy safe in Oxford for the next two years. In total, the group was able to donate just over £2,800 to the Ocean Conservation Trust. They share this victory with all those who supported the organisation, and the group encourages readers to support and donate to the organisation. Happy swimming!”