Yesterday, Barnet resident, Steven Fogel, fulfilled a life-long dream by being the first person of age to swim  the entire 1.7 kilometre width between the north and south shores of Lake Lugano on the Swiss-Italian border. Fogel swam in the Shaw Method butterfly style. No one on hand to comment had recalled anyone having swum the extent of the beautiful lake in this way before.

Clad only in an ancient black polyester swimming costume from man at C&A, Aqua Sphere goggles and blue ear plugs from Boots, Fogel completed the swim in less than an hour (which would have been a personal best had he ever done this before). In accordance with lake regulations he was accompanied by a boat – rowed skilfully by calm oarsperson Giovanna who smiled enigmatically throughout as if at some private joke.

Preparation for the swim, which was held over until after the Olympics so as not to divert attention from Team GB, required several years of work in a local pool – The Laboratory, Mill Hill (formerly Hendon) – under the harsh supervision of Fogel's trainer "Workhorse Wendy" who, had she been available for comment, would have been overcome with emotion.

Fogel commented: "Crossing Lugano today has inspired me to take on yet further challenges. With a heritage lottery fund sports grant and/or sponsorship from Lloyds-TSB there is no lake into which I would not jump".