Video courtesy of Graeme Lowe, English Channel. Recognition courtesy of Guinness World Records.

Sally Minty-Gravett MBE of Jersey finally realized her life dream with a two-way crossing of the English Channel at the age of 59, completing a 36 hour 26 minute crossing in 2016.

The Guinness World Records recognized her achievement here:

Oldest person to complete a two-way crossing of the English Channel

Sally Anne Minty-Gravett (UK, b. 16 July 1957) became the oldest swimmer, male or female, to complete a two-way English Channel swim when, on 30 August 2016, aged 59 years 45 days, she completed the double swim from Dover, UK to Calais, France and back in a total time of 36 hrs 26 min. The record was set under the auspices of the Channel Swimming & Piloting Association.

The first leg was completed in 15 hr 03 min (08:44 to 23:47) and the second leg took 21 hr 23 min swam (23:47 to 21:10).
Sally is also the only person in history – male or female – to swim across the English Channel five separate times over five decades: on 30 August 1975 (England-France, aged 18 years 45 days), on 9 September 1985 (England-France, aged 28 years 55 days), on 20 September 1992 (France-England, aged 35 years 66 days), on 29 September 2005 (England-France, aged 48 years) and on 22 July 2013 (aged 56 years 75 days).

Copyright © 2008-2018 by World Open Water Swimming Association