A Bulgarian swimmer achieved a new impressive feat in extreme open waters, overcoming one of the most challenging sea routes in the world. Tsanko Tsankov successfully swam the North Channel, connecting Northern Ireland and Scotland, under extremely difficult climatic conditions.
The route he overcame spans a distance of 34.5 kilometers in a straight line, but with deviations reaches around 40 kilometers. The water temperature varied between the critical 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, which created serious risks of hypothermia.
According to Tsankov himself, swimming was an extremely challenging task from the very beginning. "The temperature was below 13 degrees, which caused severe hypothermia during the first part of my journey," he shared with the media. To compensate for the low temperature, the swimmer maintained an extremely high speed.
Besides cold water, Tsanko also encountered multiple additional obstacles. The sea was populated with poisonous jellyfish - some of the deadliest in the world. The swimmer was stung several times and had encounters with large marine creatures, including a whale with an impressive 7 meters in length.
The greatest challenge, however, came at the end of the marathon, when the swimmer faced strong headwinds during the last 4 kilometers. These extreme conditions further extended his time in the water.
The total duration of swimming was nearly 13 hours, with Tsanko Tsankov moving in darkness, wearing a special anti-shark protective bracelet. His achievement demonstrates exceptional physical and mental endurance.
Experts define this swimming marathon as one of the most difficult in the world, which makes the Bulgarian athlete's success even more remarkable. Tsanko Tsankov proved that the human spirit can overcome even the most extreme natural challenges.
The swimmer's achievement not only reinforces Bulgaria's reputation as a country with exceptional sports talents but also demonstrates the limits of human capabilities in extreme sports.