Estonian Swimmers Hope to Be Among First to Bridge Russia-Alaska Gap

On August 3, winter swimmers Henri Kaarma and Toomas Haggi plan to be among the first to swim from Russia to Alaska, braving strong waves, winds and a 5 C water temperature in the Bering Strait.
Forty swimmers from around the world will take part in the relay, each swimming three or four 20-minute legs with 10-hour rests in between, according to the event's website. The 110-kilometer route will take an estimated 40 to 50 hours to complete.
Kaarma, who has been a winter swimmer for six years, recently received attention for unsuccessfully attempting to swim across the English Channel.
The Bering Strait Relay Swim was initially supposed to take place last year, but it was canceled due to organizing problems.