Elizabeth Fry Negatives Splits The English Channel
Record-setting Elizabeth Fry of Connecticut, U.S.A. set another world record by becoming the oldest person to complete a two-way crossing of the English Channel on August 20th.
Elizabeth added to her world record collection (which includes the records for the fastest “reverse-direction” circumnavigation of Manhattan Island and the 35-mile double Ederle Swim between New York and New Jersey) by swimming 24 hours 39 minutes from English to France and back.
The 52-year-old (and 296 days) started strong…and got stronger.
With three previous English Channel crossings under her cap, she began at 11:15 pm on August 19th and swam 13 hours 20 minutes to France. Upon reaching shore, she took a very short break on the French shore and then swam back to England in an even faster 11 hour 19 minute effort.
“I took enough time to stand up, hear the horn and get back without adding too much more to the lashes from the dragon teeth,” recalled Elizabeth about the time she spent on the French shore.
Photo of Elizabeth Fry by Kevin Hagan of the Daily News.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source
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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