Fjord fiesta!

Norwegian Swim Fest

The fourth Sognefjord swim festival kicked off in Norway this month, celebrating 'clean water and international friendship'.

The Sognefjord challenge saw 29 athletes participate in a 3.7 km swim from Borlaug to Nokkanset, the world’s deepest fjord. Beautifully clean 17C waters and calm conditions ensured a trouble-free swim for all that took part – including the Slovenian Martin Strel. The swimming legend was the event’s guest of honour, renowned for his courageous swims through some of the world’s most dangerous rivers including the Yangtze, Mississippi and Amazon. After giving a brief presentation on his Amazonian adventure, Stel joined the others in the challenge, eventually coming third in the non-wetsuit category in one hour and 16 minutes.

In the same group, second place went to Briton John Bancroft Clark, who finished just under four minutes ahead of Strel. Norwegian Erik Sorensen, claimed first place in an incredibly fast 49 minutes and 42 seconds. Nikolajus Bagdanavicius from Lithuania, failed to beat the UK’s Lewis Gordon Pugh’s 2006 record of being the fastest man to complete the swim in just goggles, trunks and a swimming cap, missing it by just 16 seconds. Britta Uhde managed to secure the fastest female position, making it in 1 hour, 20 minutes and 11 seconds.

The festival included a 6km kayak race and on the final day, relay races and the Mini Challenge brought a family spirit to the festivities, with over 50 swimmers of all ages swimming the 400 meters across the beautiful Esefjord in Balestrand. The festival manager, UK-born Sarah Jane Hails, was the first woman to swim in the Sognefjord, making it across in 2004. Working with the locals to organize the festival for the past five years has ensured each has been a success, bringing nations together for an inspirational occasion.