Four women complete relay English Channel swim for 100th anniversary

Four international open water endurance swimmers completed a relay crossing of the English Channel to mark 100 years since Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim it. The team finished the 48km challenge in 11 hours 28 minutes and used the feat to encourage more children to learn to swim.

Why it matters: - The relay marked a century since Gertrude “Trudi” Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel on 6 August 1926. - The swimmers used the crossing to promote swimming as an essential life skill for children and a way to help prevent drowning.

What happened: - Four open water endurance swimmers completed a relay crossing of the English Channel from Dover to Calais. - The team included Mariam Binladen of Saudi Arabia, Mariana Moura Santon of Portugal, Nathalie Pohl of Germany and Jasmine Harrison of Britain. - The group finished the 48km challenge in 11 hours 28 minutes. - Each swimmer spent one hour at a time in the water. - The team had to stay at least 1.5 meters from the boat and could not touch the boat or other objects.

The details: - The crossing took place in rough seas with strong winds. - At one point, the swim was in danger of being stopped after four hours in the water. - Mariam Binladen said winds started at 17 to 18 knots, later dropped to around six knots during the day, then rose to nine knots at night. - Mariam Binladen said water temperature started at 20°C and dropped to 17°C. - Binladen said the short relay turns required a fast pace throughout the swim. - The swimmers returned to the boat to warm up between legs, and Binladen said staying warm was another challenge. - Binladen completed the Channel crossing after six months of intensive training. - Binladen previously became the first Arab woman to swim the full length of the River Thames. - Her other challenges include ice glacier swimming in Austria and a swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. - Binladen was stung by a jellyfish during the relay but continued. - Binladen is a dentist, environmentalist and philanthropist who supports ocean conservation and women’s participation in sports.

Between the lines: - The relay tied a historic women’s endurance milestone to a modern message about water safety and access to swimming lessons. - Binladen’s public role suggests the event was meant to connect athletic achievement with advocacy, not just record-setting.

What's next: - Binladen said she hopes the achievement inspires more children to take up swimming and feel safer in the water. - The anniversary will continue to frame Ederle’s legacy as a benchmark for women in open water swimming.