Connecticut Mermen On Their Way To The Oceans Seven
Chris Kraus, Rick Gaenzle and Brian Ross consist of a unique 3-man relay team based out of the marathon swimming hotbed of Connecticut in the United States. In addition to their successful relays across the North Channel (Ireland-Scotland), Strait of Gibraltar (Spain-Morocco), and the English Channel (England-France), they will attempt their fourth Oceans Seven challenge across the Tsugaru Channel (Honshu-Hokkaido) in Japan this August.
They are the only known relay that are attempting to complete the Oceans Seven.
“We have also completed numerous other open water swims, both as relay and singles, including double crossings of Alcatraz in San Francisco as soloists,” explained Kraus. “We train extensively in Long Island Sound most of the year, as well as indoors during the winter months.”
The trio swim each channel in traditional 1-hour legs. “We did the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland last summer in 10 hours 18 minutes in the 12ºC (55ºF) water. I did the first leg, followed by Rick, then Brian to complete the fastest relay crossing.”
Photo shows Brian Ross, North Channel escort boat pilot Quinten Nelson, Chris Kraus, Ross Morrow and Rick Gaenzle (left to right) after their North Channel crossing.
Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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