Michael Twigg-Smith reported that René Martínez Saenz of Mexico started on the island of Molokai at 5:48 pm last night and swam through the night across the Molokai Channel. He finished on Oahu at 8:36 am for a 14 hour 48 minute crossing of the 42 km Molokai Channel.
There were no major problems but there were some large ocean swells out there. Two of the escort kayakers flipped into the water, but the third kayaker and his coach, Nora Toledano, powered right through the night without no issues.
Martínez previously produced the documentary film Aloo about his quest for the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
More information to follow.
Photos above and below show Martínez swimming in his native Mexico where he became the first person to swim 40 km between Cancún and Isla Contoy in 10 hours 55 minutes on April 18th, a great preparation for today’s Molokai Channel crossing.
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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.
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