Saturday, 14th April 2007 at 3:16 pm

Will and Grace star sneaks into Durban

A flcik through the competition list had Ryk Neethling and Charlene Wittstock - Olympic swimmer, and girlfriend of Monaco’s Prince Albert - as the star turns at the Telkom South African National Aquatics Championships in Durban. But Feverpitcher can report another star turn at the swimming, although not in the pool: Fiona de Souza, better known to Monday night comedy fans as ‘Karen’ from sitcom Will and Grace.

De Souza, married to former Portuguese midfielder Adrian de Souza (quite a celebrity couple) is a big swimming fan, having spent time on the American synchronised circuit while at college. A close friend of Neethling’s, she’s been cheering on all the events - and with good reason, for with two days to go to wrap up the Nationals, the swimming has been first class.

Veteran Mandy Loots (at a hip-replacing 28) has won a couple of golds already, Wittstock has the national 50 metre backstroke title to her name (not the only title she’s set to acquire this year, if tabloid rumour is to be believed), and Gerhard Zandberg, Wendy Trott, Melissa Corfe and Goerge du Rand are all looking in good form.

But the two chief sources of inspiration have been the disabled swimmers, refusing to let disability keep them out of the water, and the young swimmers - one 11-year-old girl made a final, and the podium has been awash with 16 and 17-year-olds. It’s made for great viewing thus far - as one rather well-known television star will happily attest to.