In summary, the fact remains and always will do, that on July 16th, 2011, I swam the entire 28.5 miles around Manhattan Island in 9 hours and 28 minutes on butterfly. I feel that what has transpired has been somewhat bizarre and some feel it can really be described as churlish. Even prior to the swim, I felt it unreasonable that I was even made to raise money for their charity, since I mentioned that I was raising yet again more funds for Rainbows Children’s Hospice.

"I was told months before by NYC that I would be the first female to swim Manhattan Island on butterfly and in other NYC communications to myself and other members, it also outlined again that I was going to be the first SWIMMER (let alone just female) to swim the entire 28.5 mile course on butterfly, and that I was attempting to break the COURSE RECORD for butterfly. Strange now considering NYC say they ONLY recognise freestyle not other strokes and how certain parts of the NYC website have actually been removed or are 'conveniently' inaccessible

The fact is that I swam legal and traditional butterfly the entire way, without breaking stroke except when feeding. My arms cleared the water all the time even in the ‘rough waves’ at the end. During this time there was no forward movement caused by my arms and legs, only by the currents in the River. I was observed by the NYC impartial observer, Hsi Ling, allocated to my butterfly circumnavigation by NYC Swim themselves. I was also accompanied by a kayaker again allocated by NYC with their official on it. The large boat that directed me was allocated to me by NYC swim. Even the race official’s  boat with the most prominent member of NYC swim on it, joined us at various stages and was there for the last stint down the Hudson River.

I started at the same place as all the other relay swimmers that day and finished the same place as they did by touching the buoy at the end, at which time the NYC officials stopped their watches and the crowds applauded. I complied with all NYC rules and regulations; I received a Trophy from NYC Swim at the presentation that same night on which was inscribed TOP FEMALE BUTTERFLY.

A couple of days later I received a certificate of achievement in recognition of my butterfly swim from IMSHOF. The fact is that according to records held by the NYC observers and other organisations,I am the only woman and only person  to have swum it butterfly which makes it the fastest and only true and proper traditional butterfly swim around Manhattan Island New York.

It is the opinion of many that what I achieved that day on butterfly was a first in the world. Whilst it is now made clear that NYC do not recognise other strokes – hence to them not a world first (record) – to millions of newspaper readers in the world and watchers of television, it IS a world first. The media said it was a world record, many millions of others also see it as a world first and it subsequently went worldwide.

NYC Swim have sought (unsuccessfully) since my Manhattan butterfly swim to deny me of my achievement.

I feel that this has been blown out of all proportion and all because of the word ‘record’.

There are so many interpretations of that word itself. You can make a record of its definitions!

As a result, many are of the opinion that the events happening currently are attempts to not only discredit me, but that of a well respected organisation (Channel Swimming Association)  that I am proud to be part of and one that has been going since 1927. Many may feel that events that are happening in the run up the 2012 MIMS entry procedure can only be termed as ‘bad’ and ‘unfavourable’ propaganda. Further it is the opinion of many that it is totally unfair that CSA swimmers are now (no longer) allowed to use their Channel swim as an event entry simply because of this dispute, which many may consider to be simply churlish on the part of NYC Swim.

At the end of the day, this is all because of the use of the word record and world record by the media. I really do not care if NYC recognise it as a world record and I accept that. NYC Swim have tried everything under the sun to deny my swim, even resorting,without success, to 'legal communications' and further suggestion that I do not hold any world records in relation to various swims I have done. In fact they have tried to have various other world records that I hold removed from my own website.The fact is that when I swam Manhattan Island on 16th July, 2011 I became the first female, the fastest female, the only female on butterfly. Technically, I am the youngest butterfly swimmer, the oldest butterfly swimmer, the oldest and youngest UK female butterfly swimmer to have done it on butterfly– I could go on as there are many records! Many world firsts in fact. There are many many many world records eg. World Record for the biggest greasiest berger. I am sure there are no special ‘Burger Ratifying Associations’ yet it is still a world record.