Slovenian claims victory in Mississippi River swim

NEW ORLEANS -- A Slovenian marathon swimmer has claimed victory in his effort at a record 2,500 mile swim -- the entire length of the Mississippi River.

"We are in Venice," exclaimed 47-year-old Martin Strel in a telephone conversation from the small river town near the mouth of the river Monday.

He and his crew posed for a picture at the river mile marker 0, which was posted on his Web site.

Strel said he finished the two-month swim about 11:35 a.m. Monday, 68 days after starting his swim July 4 at the river's source at Lake Itasca, Minn.

Swimming past the busy port cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Strel and his support team negotiated their way through river traffic.

There were some frightening moments along the way.

Strel said he was nearly struck by lightning north of Cape Girardeau, and was nearly pulled under by a whirlpool near Greenville, Miss.

Strel holds the record for the longest swim: the 1,776-mile Danube River, which he has already surpassed on this trip. He also holds the record for the longest nonstop swim: 312 miles in 84 hours and 10 minutes.

He is from the southern Slovenian city of Mokronogis.

He dedicated the swim to the 10-year anniversary of the United States' recognition of Slovenia and to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Strel mainly swims freestyle, usually for 10 to 12 hours a day. He occasionally does the backstroke in rough water. He also uses the backstroke when he wants to talk with his kayaking guides, said David Hale, one of three experienced kayakers who volunteered to accompany Strel on the trip.

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