First Non-Stop, Two-Way English Channel Swim

Press, Volume C, Issue 29626, 23 September 1961, Page 11

First Non-Stop, Two-Way English Channel Swim

(NZ.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

DOVER, Sept 22. An Argentine swimming ins true tor, Antonio Abertondo, >ged 42, completed * nm-stop swim from England to France and back early today after having spent more than 43 hour* in the water. When he landed near St. Margaret’s Bay he became the first swimmer to make the double crossing non-stop. After completing the “first leg" from Dover to Cape Gris Nez in 18 hours and 50 minutes, Abertondo had a four-minutes rest, a hot drink and then plunged back into the’ water to head for Dover.

A calm sea helped him, but when he was five miles from the Kent coast last night he had to fight vicious ebb tides and swirling undercurrents. Forty-five minutes after Abertondo landed, Brojan

Das, a 30-year-old businessman from Dacca, East Pakistan, waded ashore at St. Margaret'* Bay to complete hi* sixth one-way channel crossing. This is twice a* many crossings achieved by anyone else. Das’s official time, like Abertondo’*, was not available this morning, but it was believed he bad set a new record flor the single crossing. Da* said: “I feel marvellous. . . . Next year I wilt probably attempt the channel double.” Abertondo, who trains on beef steaks and has already swum the channel three times, once swam 291 mile* down the Mississippi river in 71 hours.

In Argentina, according to the “Daily Mail,” he is known s* the "bull of Parana" for an 81-hour swim across the river Parana, from Rosario to Buenos Aires, in 1957.