Bengisu Avcı completed 42,000 strokes in 10 hours, becoming the fastest Turk to cross the North Channel.

Swimming at a terrific pace, defying strong currents and tides, and crossing the North Channel, famous for its strong winds, strong currents and 13-degree water temperature, in record time, Bengisu Avcı worked like a flawless machine, completing 42 thousand strokes non-stop in 10 hours and 48 seconds.

Ultramarathon swimmer Bengisu entered the ocean in Bangor, Ireland, exceeding her standard of 62 strokes per minute within the first few meters. Sprinting to increase her body temperature against the cold water and strong winds, Bengisu Avcı reached a speed of 70 strokes per minute and maintained this rate for 41,200 meters. Setting a superhuman pace, the swimmer from Izmir completed the 12-hour leg, which was expected to take two hours, two hours ahead of expectations, and became the fastest Turkish swimmer across the North Channel. Throughout the crossing, Bengisu Avcı weathered strong currents reaching speeds of 3-4 kilometers per hour and was twice struck by jellyfish, approaching the boat 19 times for fluids.

HIS WIFE AND COACH WERE DIAGNOSED WITH PNEUMONIA

About a week before the North Channel crossing, her husband and trainer, Egor Tropeano, was diagnosed with pneumonia in Ireland. Egor was taken to the hospital by ambulance and treated there. This left Bengisu Avcı with no one to accompany her on the boat and prepare her meals. Bengisu Avcı then urgently summoned her sports psychologist, Dr. Seren Akıncı, from Türkiye, to Ireland. Dr. Akıncı, who flew to Bengisu on the first flight, prepared the meals and accompanied Bengisu on the boat for 10 hours, keeping her motivated on the day of the crossing.

The national swimmer, stating that the North Channel is one of the most challenging Ocean's 7 courses, said, "Each channel presents different challenges. But the North Channel's location is always different. Even in summer, water temperatures that reach a maximum of 13 degrees, rapidly changing currents, and strong tides put swimmers at a severe disadvantage. The current is so strong that it's necessary to constantly change plans in mid-ocean to navigate. I based all my calculations on swimming fast to win against the current. I crossed the North Channel in 10 hours and 48 seconds, completing 42,000 strokes, becoming the first Turk to complete all six stages of the Ocean's 7. My current goal is to successfully cross the Tsugaru Channel in Japan and become the first Turk to complete the Ocean's 7."

Bengisu Avcı, who also represents our country on the national team and described her joy, said, "It's not easy to swim across a vast ocean alongside a boat that accompanies you and that you're forbidden from even touching. With every stroke, my eyes were fixed on the coast of Portpatrick, Scotland. It started as a dream at 9:00 a.m., but as the hours passed, I began to see the opposite shore, and as I got closer, I saw people on the shore. Sirens and people accompanied me in my final meters. It's an incredible feeling."

Bengisu Avcı, who started Ocean's 7 by swimming the English Channel in 2018, successfully completed the world's most challenging ocean channels: Catalina, Gibraltar, Cook and Molokai.

DHA

Reporter: News Center