WINDSOR, Conn. -- Martin McMahon will arrive to a hometown hero's welcome Wednesday to honor the latest swimmer to complete the treacherous 21-mile crossing of the English Channel.
McMahon, 22, who completed the swim between Dover, England and France with a time of 11:14.21 on Monday, will be greeted with a motorcade, followed by a block party with beer and pizza, said his mother, Margery McMahon.
'I'm absolutely delighted,' she said Tuesday. 'We knew he would make it.'
Mrs. McMahon said her son was in good spirits after the swim 'but he's sore all over.' He told her he probably could have made better time but ran into high waves that slowed him down.
The former lifeguard said he maintained his strength by drinking glucose and sucking on lemons handed to him from a 50-foot scout boat that followed the swimmer.
His swim will benefit Connecticut's Special Olympics through $1,400 pledged by area businesses.
Representatives of the organization which helps handicapped youngsters participate in sports planned to be on hand to greet him.
McMahon, who graduated last May from Villanova University, where he played water polo, became the 270th known person to complete the crossing in more than 3,000 attempts since 1927, said The Channel Swimming Association.
He is also the first Connecticut resident and only the 50th American to complete the feat.
McMahon had to wait 16 days for good weather to begin his swim but depsite repeated postponements, McMahon said her son did not become discouraged.
McMahon waited for a break in the weather by training with other channel aspirants in Folkestone Harbor.
He had prepared to begin the swim Sunday but decided not to because of strong winds. Good gaps in the weather have been few and far between this summer, said McMahon, who arrived in England Aug. 8.
Asked about his plans for the future, McMahon, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in science, said, 'I guess I'll be looking for a job.'
