Melisa Uluarslan becomes 3rd Turkish woman to cross North Channel

Melisa Uluarslan has added another significant achievement to her open water swimming career by successfully completing the challenging North Channel crossing. The swim, spanning approximately 40 kilometers between Northern Ireland and Scotland, was finished in 14 hours and 13 minutes.

Uluarslan began her swim at 01:00 local time, battling challenging conditions including sea temperatures averaging 13-14°C, strong tidal currents, dense jellyfish populations, and variable seas. Her successful completion makes her the third Turkish woman to ever conquer the North Channel.

This latest feat follows Uluarslan's 2025 accomplishment of swimming the English Channel in 16 hours and 49 minutes, earning her the title of the seventh Turkish woman and 21st Turkish athlete to achieve that milestone. The North Channel is recognized as one of the most difficult stages of the Ocean's Seven series due to its cold water, powerful currents, venomous jellyfish, and unpredictable weather.