Cork woman Eilis Burns leads home field in gruelling Spain test

Cork woman Eilis Burns was the first finisher in one of Europe’s most difficult swimming events.

“Conditions were absolutely horrendous, the current was against us for the whole swim,” said Burns of the 22km route between the Illes Formuge and Illes Medes off the Spanish coast.

An estimated 40 swimmers, including 16 from Ireland, attempted the ‘Neda el Món’ race. Incredibly only five, led home by Burns, reached the destination with the last competitor spending 14 hours in the water.