Round-the-Sound long distance swimathon, held in choppy conditions in Harrington Sound on Sunday.

Even Kevin Insley, who was part of the winning team in last weekend's Bank of Bermuda triathlon after coming first out of the water, had to play second fiddle in the 10K (6.2 miles) which was won by 17-year-old American Jamie D'agostino in two hours 20 minutes and 22 seconds.

Insley placed second, 22 seconds behind, but there was a wait of almost 13 minutes for the third place finisher, Mike Cash in 2:33.40.

Another 14 minutes elapsed before Anthony Reino, an open water specialist, crossed the line in fourth place while Michael O'Connor in 2:48.29 completed the top five.

Insley had praise for D'agostino, a US 1500 metres champion, who he thinks has a bright future.

"She's half my age and a distance swimmer as well so I take my hat off to her,'' said Insley.

"She's very fit and very strong and could have gone on all day long. We swam virtually the whole course side by side and it was the last 500, 600 metres when it wasn't so much her picking up the pace but more me tiring and she led by about 15 or 20 metres at the end.

"She is definitely someone to watch in the future, perhaps Sydney 2000.'' The second female finisher in the 10K distance was Claire Mancell, placing eighth overall in 2:53.52.

D'agostino was among seven Badgers Swim Club members who came to Bermuda for the event. In all there were 17 overseas swimmers, including nine from another New York club, Premier Athletic Club and another swimmer from Boston.

Badgers' Christine Teuscher, a 1996 Olympic gold medallist for the US women's 4x200 metres freestyle relay team, was a comfortable winner in the 4.5 mile race. She finished in 1:29.55, 14 minutes ahead of Vanessa Grass. Women occupied the first five places as visitors Annette Budge, Ashley Aitken and Lorrie Lewis were third, fourth, and fifth.

Allison Wagner, a silver medallist in the 400 metres individual medley at the Atlanta Games, also lived up to expectations by winning the 2.5 mile race. She completed the course in 54 minutes and seven seconds, 53 seconds ahead of another visiting swimmer, Timothy Dewailley in 55.00.

Jeanne Mallinier won the 1.25 mile swim in 28.29, coming in 54 seconds ahead of local Jessica Marwick in 29.23. Kevin Fox was third in 29.56.

The event will raise money for noted swimming coach Duncan Newby who has been stricken with cancer. Pledges are due in by October 9.

True to his competitive nature, Newby was among the 165 entries, of which 150 finished.

Newby was one of the finishers, completing the 2.5 mile race in 22nd position in a time of 1:16.02.

"For him to swim 4K is a test of his character,' said Insley, who was also one of the organisers.

"Part of getting through what he's been through...the mental part is a big part of it and for him to complete the four kilometres in an ocean like that yesterday will stand him in good stead mentally.

"This is the first year that we've sought to attract overseas swimmers so we're very pleased with the level of interest and the calibre of swimmers which was more than we could have hoped for. We're very keen to encourage them to come back next year.'' FIRST AND SECOND -- Jamie D'agostino of New York is congratulated by Kevin Insley after winning the 10K event in the annual Round-the-Sound swim on Sunday. Insley placed second, 22 seconds behind.