Mattie Waine of Guinness SC scored a huge triumph for the fortysomethings when leaving a trail of youngsters in his wake to win the annual Irish Times sponsored Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim yesterday in ideal conditions.

Waine (42), is not only one of the oldest winners of the event but is also among the most convincing winners of the 1 3/4 mile unassisted course.

Waine's finishing power was the real highlight. Ninty-four swimmers in the 154-strong field had entered the water before him. But, sensing victory shortly after the bandstand, he powered clear to win by 150 yards from his nearest rival, John Redmond of Carrig.

Waine, a Guinness employee, made light of his eight minutes 50 seconds handicap. He displayed his intent from the start and was in sixth place at the Lighthouse. "I am swimming since I was 11 years old," he said. A previous winner of the Liffey swim, Waine has been waiting 30 years for the big one.

"I am really thrilled, a lot of people had made me favourite but I thought others to have a better chance, such as Pat O'Dwyer of Dublin SC," he said. "He shattered the handicap," commented chief handicapper Joe Browne.

Pat Corkery, of St Vincents, was in third place. RTE reporter Paul Reynolds, in eighth position, contributed to St Vincents' team success.

Fastest man was Stephen Saunders. He recorded a time of 28:39 off an 18:45 handicap. Claire McDonagh (22), a lifeguard at nearby Seapoint won the women's race (three quarters of a mile approximately) with about 13 metres to spare from the backmarker, Julie Ann Roche of Wicklow.

A former pupil of Our Lady's Templeogue, McDonagh stuck to freestyle throughout the race and dealt well with her 9:00 handicap.

She swims out of Terenure College and has competed at international schools level.

She first realised she was ahead with about 200 metres remaining and kept the advantage.

Elaine Dunne of ESB was in third place. The team prize went to Glenalbyn Masters with Roche clocking the fastest time, a record at 15:40.