Observer Chang-Hsun Jon Huang reported that Triple Crown swimmer and open water coach Wen-Erh Hsu (30, Taiwan, MSF bio here, @wen_swims_the_channel) completed the first recorded 9.7 nautical mile (11.16 km) swim from Xiǎo Liúqiú, a coral island in the Taiwan Strait to the Taiwanese mainland on December 14th.

Hsu started at Zhongao Beach (22°21.082’N, 120°23.213’E) and finished at Fangliao Township (22°23.482’N, 120°33.274’E) in 25°C water and variable air temperatures between 17.1°C and 22.5°C under 5–12 knot winds.

Huang recalls, “She started at 4:12 am in the early morning from Zhongao Beach on Xiaoliuqiu Island and began swimming toward the Taiwan mainland under the escort of a support vessel. The sea conditions were challenging during the early hours with moderate swell and residual night conditions. She maintained a consistent stroke rate throughout the swim, but encountered a significant number of jellyfish mid-swim that resulted in multiple stings, but she continued without interruption.

After sunrise, the tidal currents increased and pushed her southward. Despite fatigue and feeding discomfort near the final stage, she continued steadily toward shore.
The swim concluded successfully at 11:36 am at Fangliao Township, Pingtung County on Taiwan with a swim time of 7 hours and 24 minutes. The swim was continuously observed and completed without assistance.“

Two weeks earlier, Hsu attempted the first attempt from Xiǎo Liúqiú Island to the Taiwanese mainland, but due to a 2.5 knot current running 4 km from shore so aborted the swim.

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