WASHINGTON, July 24 (RIA Novosti) – A team of swimmers from Russia, the United States and 12 other countries will attempt the first complete swim across the Bering Strait on Aug. 3, according to an official announcement.
Forty experienced cold water swimmers are to participate in the effort, departing from Cape Dezhnev in Chukotka and arriving at Cape Prince of Wales in Alaska. The Bering Strait is 53 miles (85 km) wide, but the swim organizers say that “factoring in the current, the total swim distance will be approximately 68 miles (110 km).”
Since hypothermia can set in after 30 minutes, swimmers will swim in “20 minute legs with a 10-hour rest in between.” Each swimmer will complete three to four legs and the whole relay is estimated to take 40-50 hours to complete.
Originally planned for 2011, organizers said they hope to show that, Edward Snowden notwithstanding, “…even though the water separating Russia and America is icy cold, the connection between these two neighbors remains friendly and warm.”
