starter of the race. Tandem solos (two solos sharing one boat) were introduced. 2018 was an eventful year, with records broken, a boat sinking, a propeller strike, a 3:30pm finish and the event's first-ever shark sighting evacuation. Favourable conditions led to records tumbling with Solomon Wright setting a new solo race record of 3:59:28. The prior record was set in 2000 by Mark Saliba at 4:00:15. The female solo race record of 4:21:55 was set by Heidi Gan and the male team record was broken by Reilly Kennedy, Callum Lauriston, Nicholas Rollo and William Rollo in 3:36:36. 2020 Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 30th channel swim was still held on 22 February 2020. The line honours winner was Dutchman Lars Bottelier, finishing in 4 hours, 18 minutes and 26 seconds. William Rollo finished in second place in 4:22:16 and Kyle Lee finished third in 4:25:30. The first female solo swimmer across the line was Zoe Whitfield, of NSW in a time of 4:48:09, just ahead of Josie Page in second place at 4:48:42. In 2018 and 2019 Page finished in third place. 2021 On 20 February 2021, more than 2,500 swimmers – aged between 14 and 76 – dived into the surf at Cottesloe Beach for 31st channel swim. Andrew Donaldson was the first to finish, less than a year after his return to Perth in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Donaldson crossed the line in a time of 4:04:30, more than six minutes in front of second finisher William Rollo. Chloe Truscott was the fastest woman to complete the 19.7 km swim in a time of 4:33:20. She was seven minutes in front of her nearest female competitor, Josie Page. Winners of the Duo category were Kaiden Richings and Thomas Davis, two 16-year olds from Bunbury, in a time of 4:19:38. Swimclan Big Orse's took out the team category in 4:14:37. References Further reading Mair, Olivia.(1999) In the swim. Perth Weekly, 17-23 Feb. 1999, p. 12-13, External links Rottnest Channel Swim Association website Swimming competitions in Australia Rottnest Island Open water swimming competitions Gage Roads