TRAINING in water temperatures as low as four degrees in Loch Lomond helped set up a Scots swimmer with one of the races of his life.
The Glasgow swimmer used his prep in arduous conditions here in Scotland to win the 28.5-mile swim round Manhattan Island in the US in a record-breaking six and a half hours.
The 22 degrees water temperature around the Hudson may have been more favourable but it was a pressured swim.
He said: "About an hour out the kayaker with me said if kept it up I could get the record.
"So it was quite nerve-racking trying to hold the same pace throughout the race and stay strong and get the record, but all that hard work was worth it."
The swimmer prepared by "carb-loading" in the three days before the swim, bulking up on pasta and porridge.
Although Mr Deans was too excited to note how much he beat the previous record by, he was 45 minutes ahead of his nearest rival in Sunday's gruelling race.
Mr Deans, 22, posted on Facebook: "Well today is a day I'll remember for the rest of my life.
"Managed to raise £2,500 and counting for the Beatson Cancer Charity and at the same time do a race I've been wanting to do for years.
"Completed the race in first place in 6 hours 36 mins and got the male record.
"Thanks for all your messages, support and donations gonna get back to you all next couple days."
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