Top South African long distance swimmer and Olympic Games hopeful Tyron Venter beat his closest rival by 14 minutes to win the 7.5km Cadiz Vista Nova Freedom Swim from Robben Island to Big Bay, Blouberg strand in Cape Town on Saturday.

Braving a water temperature of 14 degrees, three-meter ocean swells and scores of jellyfish, the 21-year-old swimmer made the crossing in a time of one hour and 34 minutes, the SAPA news agency reported.

He beat his nearest competitor, Barend Nortje, by 14 minutes. Ross Leibbrandt was third in one hour and 53 minutes.

Venter took home 10,000 rand (1,430 U.S. dollars) in prize money -- one of the biggest purses in competitive swimming in South Africa.

Natalie du Toit came in fourth. She was the first woman home in one hour and 57 minutes, beating strong contender Carina Bruwer byless than a minute.

Pretoria-based Venter took the lead from the start as the first group of a field of 82 swimmers set off from Murray's Beach on Robben Island at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT).

He has competed in two previous races, finishing second in both.

Venter is fast becoming one of South Africa's most exciting long distance swimmers having won most Open Water events in the country over the past year.

Venter said he was in training to qualify for the 10km Open Water swimming event at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

A field of 82 swimmers took part, 62 individual competitors and four relay teams of five each.

The race was originally planned for Friday, South Africa's Freedom Day, but a cold front brought heavy swells which made swimming dangerous. It was then postponed to Saturday.

In terms of Open Water swimming rules, the swimmers were not allowed to wear wetsuits or make physical contact with any person or boat during the race.

The swim began as an annual fund raising event some six years ago by Vista Nova School - the largest school for children with learning disabilities and cerebral palsy in the Western Cape.

All funds raised from entrance fees and sponsorship go towards equipment and resources at Vista Nova School.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2007)