CITY OF Southampton swimmers came up against competitors from all over the world in the third stage of the British Race Series and fifth stage of the World Series at Weymouth.

Competitors ranging from the age of ten to 60-plus (masters) endured a strength-sapping run, sea swim and second run in a truly gruelling event.

CoS swimmer Mhairi-Clair Stewart finished third in the girls' under-12 event, while Calum Stewart (under-14) was unluckily just outside a medal place, a creditable fourth at under-14 level.

Jamie Cole's brilliant swim at under-16 level saw him first out of the water but an unlucky transition meant that, after the final run, he had to settle for second - one second behind the winner.

Sara Brown, one of the youngest in her under-18 age group, finished a creditable fifth and Mary Collett continued her exemplary performance in these events by winning the masters' Ladies B event.

Many CoS swimmers have recently shown their versatility by successfully participating in biathlon, triathlon and biathle events.

The annual Fareham Nomads Biathlon run/swim event, which attracts many competitors from the southern region, included 19 from the club, competing at levels ranging from under-nines to master ladies.

Emily Jenkinson, Caitlin Stewart and Danielle Windebank comprehensively won the team event in the youngest age group

Jenkinson took the individual event with Stewart a close second, the same as in the 1km run.

In the under-12s Mhairi-Clair Stewart, Nicky Humphrey and Francesca Osborn gained valuable experience, Stewart's excellent second place in the 1km run helping her to second overall.

The girls' under-14 event saw Hayley Couchman, Verity Walshaw and Leah Husband compete well, Couchman producing the top swim.

Sebastian Willcocks's swim and Calum Stewart's run helped them to second and fourth place overall respectively in the boys' under-14 section.

Joanna Jeffcoate, Emma Macey and Rebecca Walshaw won the under-16 section team event, Jeffcoate taking the overall individual competition. She had the best swim, with Macey only five seconds behind. Walshaw's second place in the run helped her to second place overall.

The CoS boys' under-16 team of Joshua Willcocks, Nick Edwards and Jamie Cole also won their competition with their swim positions of first, third and fourth respectively helping. Wilcocks won the overall individual event with Cole third.

An excellent all-round performance from Sara Brown saw her win the under-18 event with the best run and swim in her age group.

Rebecca Jenkinson (mother of Emily) won the Masters Ladies in her debut event with a best swim and best run.

The New Forest Triathlon, one of the biggest junior events of its kind in the UK, saw about 270 competitors aged eight to 16 take part in the continuous swim/cycle/run experience at Totton.

A tremendous effort from eight-year-old Caitlin Stewart saw her first girl over the finishing line, second overall out of 20 competitors and only three seconds behind the winning boy.

Emily Jenkinson, aged nine, Mhairi-Clair Stewart, 11, and Calum Stewart, 13, worked tirelessly at their age groups against more than 40 competitors and finished 14th, fourth and 11th respectively in their first triathlon.