New record in crossing La Manche for Yvetta Hlavacova

The famous Czech swimmer became the fastest woman to swim across the channel separating the French coast from England. Thirty-one-year-old Yvetta needed 7 hours and 25 minutes to overcome the distance measuring approximately 36 kilometres. The previous record was held by American Penny Lee Dean who needed 15 more minutes to cross the channel 28 years ago.

Hlavacova’s time is very impressive indeed since it is the fourth best achievement in the swimming history ever. She was very close to beating even the absolute (male) record of 7 hours and 3 minutes. After 6 hours and 15 minutes people accompanying her on a ship shouted excitedly that there were only 20 more minutes to go. Nevertheless, the swimmer lost a lot of time because of strong currents.

Hlavacova also attempted to cross the channel both ways but after 14 hours in the water, during which she managed to swim 60 kilometres, she had to give up. The reason was her complete exhaustion and hypothermia. There were still 11 kilometres remaining which would mean about three more hours in the cold sea with 17 degrees only.

La Manche was conquered in both ways by 20-year-old David Cech on the very same day. He needed 19 hours and 54 minutes to swim approximately 80 kilometres in total.