SUNDAY'S inaugural Seahorse Challenge open water race in Studland Bay has been voted an unqualified success after attracting a high-class field of 93 swimmers.

Organisers East Dorset Open Water SC say they are thinking of increasing the maximum entry to 150 next year.

President Ali Budynkiewicz said: “Conditions were perfect – warm, balmy weather and a flat calm sea. It couldn’t have been better.”

First home in the 3.8km race was the wet-suited Guy Giles from Oxford in 55min 17sec, closely followed by non-wetsuit winners Donna Pryor from Sevenoaks (55:45) and Dolphins’ Richard Smiles (56:02).

The event was run in support of the National Trust and the Seahorse and Sea Grass Trust and takes its name from Studland’s colony of breeding seahorses, the only one known in Britain.

Each category winner was given a seahorse print by local artist Donna Stacey. The first over 40 non-wetsuited man and woman received Roy Harding memorial trophies.

Winners – Men: Non-wetsuit, Richard Smiles (Bournemouth Dolphins) 56:02. Wetsuit, Guy Giles (City of Oxford) 55:17. Over 40, Rory Fitzgerald (Winchester Penguins) 1:00:19. Women: Non-wetsuit, Danielle Pryor (Sevenoaks Tri) 55:45. Wetsuit, Emily Abbot (East Dorset OW) 1:08.16. Over 40, Kate Mason (Weyport Masters) 1:10:05. Lush Prize (oldest lady), Jenny Ball (Isle of Wight Marlins) 1:42:20.