MILKO BEATS WORLD RECORD FOR CHAUNCY MAPLES
Today Milko van Gool, 47, swam from Donaghadee in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland, on behalf of the Trust. He did it in just under 11 hours, making him the fastest male swimmer to cross the North Channel solo. The previous male record was 11 hours, 21 minutes. The record for fastest ever crossing is held by Michelle Macy (9.34).
The North Channel is considered one of the most challenging open water swims in the world.
Milko, who works at the EU delegation in Malawi, is an experienced open water swimmer and holds the record for the fastest swim across Lake Malawi, covering 23.5km in 8 hours and 46 minutes. He also swam the English Channel in 2011.
He said: “I am over the moon. I can’t quite believe that I have beaten the world record! The jellyfish were horrible, but the seal that swam beside me really raised my spirits.
“The North Channel swim was the biggest challenge of my life. It is one of the Ocean’s Seven – the world’s toughest and most iconic channel crossings – and contenders must have completed the English Channel, or equivalent, to even be considered for the swim.”
So far, Milko has raised over £4,000 for the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, which is transforming a Glasgow-built steamship into a mobile clinic to provide healthcare to people living by Lake Malawi.
He added: “Having lived and worked in Malawi for a number of years, I know just how important this mobile ship clinic will be to the people and how it will transform their lives. I am looking forward to seeing the Chauncy Maples completed, and knowing my swim will have helped.”
Roz Savage MBE, who holds four world records, including the first woman to solo row the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, said: “This is a stunning achievement for a vital cause. With every stroke Milko swims, he is raising funds for the people of Malawi”.
Alan Machin, deputy director of fundraising at the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, said: “We were thrilled when Milko chose to support Chauncy Maples. This is a water borne record, for a water borne project.
“The Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust congratulates Milko on this wonderful achievement. Beating the world record is the icing on the cake, and a well-deserved prize for all his hard work.
Make Milko’s astonishing feat even more worthwhile by donating now atwww.justgiving.com/milkovangool. More information can be found atwww.thebigswim.org.uk.
Check out news story on BBC website
Today Milko van Gool, 47, swam from Donaghadee in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick in Scotland, on behalf of the Trust. He did it in just under 11 hours, making him the fastest male swimmer to cross the North Channel solo. The previous male record was 11 hours, 21 minutes. The record for fastest ever crossing is held by Michelle Macy (9.34).
The North Channel is considered one of the most challenging open water swims in the world.
Milko, who works at the EU delegation in Malawi, is an experienced open water swimmer and holds the record for the fastest swim across Lake Malawi, covering 23.5km in 8 hours and 46 minutes. He also swam the English Channel in 2011.
He said: “I am over the moon. I can’t quite believe that I have beaten the world record! The jellyfish were horrible, but the seal that swam beside me really raised my spirits.
“The North Channel swim was the biggest challenge of my life. It is one of the Ocean’s Seven – the world’s toughest and most iconic channel crossings – and contenders must have completed the English Channel, or equivalent, to even be considered for the swim.”
So far, Milko has raised over £4,000 for the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, which is transforming a Glasgow-built steamship into a mobile clinic to provide healthcare to people living by Lake Malawi.
He added: “Having lived and worked in Malawi for a number of years, I know just how important this mobile ship clinic will be to the people and how it will transform their lives. I am looking forward to seeing the Chauncy Maples completed, and knowing my swim will have helped.”
Roz Savage MBE, who holds four world records, including the first woman to solo row the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, said: “This is a stunning achievement for a vital cause. With every stroke Milko swims, he is raising funds for the people of Malawi”.
Alan Machin, deputy director of fundraising at the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, said: “We were thrilled when Milko chose to support Chauncy Maples. This is a water borne record, for a water borne project.
“The Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust congratulates Milko on this wonderful achievement. Beating the world record is the icing on the cake, and a well-deserved prize for all his hard work.
Make Milko’s astonishing feat even more worthwhile by donating now atwww.justgiving.com/milkovangool. More information can be found atwww.thebigswim.org.uk.
Check out news story on BBC website
