Lithuanian swimmer Juneta Krylovaitė conquers Catalina Channel, first to achieve Triple Crown

Juneta Krylovaitė has achieved a historic feat, becoming the first Lithuanian to conquer the Catalina Channel and earn the Triple Crown of Open Water swimming. The arduous 33-kilometer swim took 15 hours and 11 minutes, a duration Krylovaitė described as demanding "absolutely all forces."

“

15 hours and 11 minutes. That's how long it took for the Catalina Channel to finally surrender. Now I look at those numbers and I myself flinch – it's terrifying how long. I knew it would be hard, but this night demanded absolutely all my strength.

Swimming in complete darkness presented a significant challenge, especially as Krylovaitė navigated without a wetsuit or a support kayaker. She recounted the difficulty of orienting herself in the dark, nearly colliding with her support boat multiple times, an error that could have led to disqualification. The presence of unseen underwater grasses and a persistent head current, which limited her speed to under 2.5 km/h, added to the immense struggle.

“

Swimming in complete darkness was an extreme challenge. Since I was swimming not only without a wetsuit or other aids, but also without a support kayaker, I had to face all the night challenges myself.

"This is not just another route conquered or a nice title – it is proof to myself of how much I can endure when I just don't give up and keep moving forward," Krylovaitė stated on social media, expressing gratitude to her onboard team, mother, and coach for their overnight support. She also thanked her online followers for their messages of encouragement during the long hours in the water.

“

This is not just another route conquered or a nice title – it is proof to myself of how much I can endure when I just don't give up and keep moving forward.

Krylovaitė's achievement follows closely on the heels of fellow Lithuanian Justas Narkevičius, who also recently completed the Catalina Channel crossing. Narkevičius described his 21-hour and 28-minute swim as a testament to his dedication, having trained over 600 kilometers in preparation. His successful crossing marks his second of the Ocean's Seven challenges, with the Catalina Channel being one of the most renowned open water swims globally.

“

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my team on the boat, my mom, and my swimming coach. They stayed up all night, protected me, and helped me endure the hardest hours.