20.07.2025 00:20
Ultramarathon swimmer Bengisu Avcı became the first Turkish athlete to complete six courses in the Ocean's 7 challenge. Swimming for over 10 hours in the 13-degree water between Ireland and Scotland, Avcı also earned the title of the fastest Turkish swimmer in the North Channel.
Bengisu Avcı, who swam 41.2 kilometers in 10 hours in 13-degree water between Ireland and Scotland, became the first Turkish person to complete six courses in the Ocean's 7 challenge.
Ultramarathon swimmer Bengisu Avcı successfully crossed the North Channel, famous for its cold waters, strong currents, harsh winds, and tides, which is considered one of the toughest challenges in the world, known as Ocean's 7.
GREAT SUCCESS FROM THE NATIONAL SWIMMER
Bengisu Avcı, who entered the 13-degree water from Bangor, Ireland, at exactly 09:00 Turkish time, proudly raised the Turkish flag in Portpatrick, Scotland, after a swimming marathon of 10 hours and 48 seconds. Having previously completed the English Channel, Gibraltar, Catalina, Cook, and Molokai, Bengisu Avcı thus earned the title of the first Turkish person to complete six stages in the Ocean's 7 series.
THE FASTEST TURK SWIMMING IN THE NORTH CHANNEL
The swimmer from Izmir became the fastest Turkish swimmer in the North Channel and the fourth fastest woman in the world to swim this channel. Bengisu Avcı, who conducted a cold water camp in England for more than a month for the North Channel, was set to start swimming on a suitable day between July 18-23.
The record-breaking swimmer entered the water one after another from Bangor with Matt Murphy, Stephen Maloney, Brian Muzkian, and Steven Grimley during the first suitable window of weather and ocean conditions. Due to the severe cold in the morning hours, Stephen Maloney turned back after a while, while Bengisu Avcı continued on her way with strong strokes and courage. During this time, strong currents caused Bengisu Avcı's route to change, but she began to overcome the kilometers one by one, forcing the group she was swimming with.
PROUDLY RAISED THE TURKISH FLAG
The record-breaking swimmer from Izmir continued to swim despite experiencing a nearly two-meter jellyfish encounter in the middle of the struggle. The softening of the weather around noon made things easier for Bengisu Avcı. With the sun, the surface water temperature improved, and after 8 hours, the Scottish shores began to be seen. As Bengisu Avcı headed towards Portpatrick, she narrowly escaped another jellyfish encounter thanks to the warnings from those on the boat as she approached the shore. Many swimming enthusiasts and marathon swimmers in the harbor gave tempo to Bengisu Avcı in the final moments, and the incredible challenge ended at 10 hours and 48 seconds, just after 19:00, after a total of 41.2 kilometers.
As Bengisu stepped onto the shore, she wrote 'Turkey' in the sand with her hands while proudly raising the Turkish flag, becoming the fastest Turkish swimmer in the North Channel. If Bengisu Avcı also completes the last stage of the Ocean's 7 series, which is Japan - Tsugaru, she will achieve a first and write her name in golden letters in Turkish swimming history. The date for the Tsugaru crossing has not yet been finalized.