Exito! (Success!)

Cristian and Rachel crossed the Strait of Magellan on Wednesday, along with Scott Lautman and Mark (wetsuit) Lautman.  Cristian and Rachel swam into a flock of penguins, which disappeared underwater in one quick dive.  Rachel was followed by a small black and white dolpin (Tonina), presumably curios about why she was kicking so hard.  Scott finished first in 1:18, next was Mark.  Cristian got stuck in a very weird wall of current but managed to break free and swim to shore.  Rachel swam through a small whirlpool at the very end of her swim, and was swimming against the current until our shouts penetrated her frozen brain and she sprinted to shore.  Rachel came in at 1:53, Cristian just a few minutes earlier.  The press frantically ran up and down the shore to try to catch the finish of each swimmer, all of whom landed in different parts of the beach.  Rachel did a happy dance in her bright blue bikini when she finished, much to the amusement of the Naval officers who had lent their support for the swim, and had some doubts about our posses' abilities.  Everyone looked pretty darn good afterwards considering the 40F water temperature.

Maximum shivering ensued.

Shivering escalated during (very) wet and wild zodiac ride back to the Naval ship.

We are all on our way home, tired, happy, content, and thankful for all the good wishes~

Disclaimer:

Being old, fat, anorexic, or wearing a bikini in cold water does not necessarily properly prepare you for this swim.

Plane crash lands in Hudson

Just to let everyone know, we did not get a chance to show off our cold water swimming skills yesterday in the Hudson--our flights to Santiago left out of JFK.  We arrived safe and sound in Santiago--and off to Puntas Arenas tomorrow.  

(AP photo/Janis Krums)

Mike's pix

Strait of Magellan

Did you know there is a penguin that brays like a donkey?  They breed around the Strait of Magellan, and are common in that part of the world.

Which is where I'm headed, with Cristian and Rachael, to photograph their Strait of Magellan attempt.  I will try to do daily updates, so check back for progress reports....

-ps

photo: Wikipedia

I found the Astroland Rocket

It was around back, sadly awaiting what fate?  

More Coney Brrr

Sad times for Coney Island--here come the bulldozers

I don't know if it'll do any good, but I signed this petition......

I also like these ideas to protest in a grass roots fashion....one of which is to call 311 and complain about tearing down Coney!

Does anyone know whatever happened to the astroland rocket?

Photos via Lola Starr...

Blast from the past--1879 to be precise

for rest of article

Coney 1.04.09

                   MORE VIDEOS 1.4.09

   Air Temp  28F

   Water Temp 40-41F

   Coochie Temp -2F
 

Magellan-mania

For those of you who don't know, some of the more die-hard have been quietly training year-round for one of the ultimate swim challenges--the Straits of Magellan.  At last, the dates have been set, and it's this month!  On January 20th, Rachel and Cristian (as well as Scott Lautman and his bro) will be attempting a swim that has been only accomplished by five people.   It's a big F'n deal.  So I want everyone to be sending them warm strong positive energy during that week!  Rachael's been keeping a blog, so check it, yo.