DONEGAL LONG-DISTANCE swimmer Anne Marie Ward is in the running to be made World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.
Ward is leading the online contest which finishes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, with over 40 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Brazilian swimmer Ana Marcela Cunha, who has about 30 per cent.
The US-based Open Water Source, which runs the competition, said Ms Ward had been nominated “for her hard work and dedication to charity swims”.
In September, Ms Ward (44), from Port na Blagh, Co Donegal, became the first Irish woman to swim the North Channel connecting the Irish Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
She said: “I can’t believe it. I was so thrilled to be even short-listed into this group because it isn’t something you apply for. You have to be chosen.”
Nuala Moore, who was on a team of six swimmers that swam 1,300 kilometres in eight weeks around Ireland with Ms Ward in 2006, is chief campaigner in the effort to keep her ahead in the race for the world title.
“There are no trumpets so this award means a lot for us to get for her, so I am asking people to please vote.”
Ms Ward conquered the English Channel in 20 hours and four minutes three years ago. She completed a number of island-to-island swims off the Donegal coast, culminating with a 14 kilometre swim from Tory Island to the mainland for charity in 2003.
The online poll is taking place at openwatersource.com