“I Could Feel the Poison”: Despite Multiple Setbacks 53-Year-Old Mother Shocks the Seas While Embarking on a ‘Triple Crown’ Journey

Wellington-based Triple Crown swimmer Grainne Moss is living proof that corroborates that age is just a number. She defied the odds and catapulted to glory in her beloved arena. On the same note, she once again clinched all the spotlight and stood atop the pedestal. Though Moss is the only person to hold the Irish Triple Crown and the New Zealand Triple Crown, she does not seem satisfied and is en route to the US to set another swimming record, the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.

After training for months, she is up for the new challenge and is determined to achieve her goal, despite the oddities that come with open-water swimming. The 53-year-old mother is inspiring the new generation of swimmers with her dedication and hard work.

Grainne Moss is all set to tackle US waters

Moss is not only a remarkable swimmer but also a trailblazer for women in sports. She is the first woman ever to swim the English Channel, and she was just 17 at the time. Grainne Moss is now prepared to cover 32.2 km of the Catalina Channel in California in the upcoming week and swims 48.5km around Manhattan Island to complete the third Triple Crown. The swims will take place at night because it will be difficult to acquire a time window with marine officials.

Open-water swimming is not as easy as it seems, as Moss was reminded weeks ago when she was swimming the ‘Channel of Bones’ in Hawaii. “I got bitten by two box jellyfish in Hawaii and a couple of Portuguese men of war,” she said. “They were absolutely excruciating. I’ve never had anything like it in my life, and actually, I could feel the poison pumping around my body. I could feel a little, tiny bit of swelling in my tongue.”

However, her third triple crown might be a little challenging given her advanced age. In an interview with News Hub she stated, “I’m expecting that Catalina might take around 12 hours, and Manhattan might be a little quicker because apparently, you get quite a good push down the Hudson,” later adding, Apparently, Manhattan Island at night under all the bridges with the twinkling lights is apparently an incredibly special swim.”

Adding another accolade on her wall of fame

Previously, in the Irish Crown, Moss covered 35 km from Ireland to Scotland, 21 Km from Fastnet Lighthouse to Baltimore, and 10.5 Km in Galway Bay. And in New Zealand, she swam the Foveaux Strait, Lake Taupo, and the Cook Strait. But apparently, her history of records does not make open-water swimming any less challenging.

Despite the challenges, Moss is determined to continue open-water swimming and is also taking precautions for her swim. Philip Rush, her coach, who holds three world records for open-water swimming, said that Moss has what it takes to get her this third Triple Crown. He said, “She’s pretty bloody stubborn, and she’s done the work; she’s prepared herself well for these swims.”

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Additionally, Moss said, her parents have been her great supporters. However, they won’t be able to accompany her on this trip. Instead, she will take her husband and children, who will be cheering for her through the 80-kilometer-long ocean.

Grainne Moss is all set up for the new swimming challenge. Despite all the open-water swimming risks, the modern sea queen remains confident in her abilities. Fans hope to see her return with the third Triple Crown.

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