Stève Stievenart, first Frenchman to cross Lake Tahoe
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Just one year after swimming the impressive lake of Loch Ness in Scotland, Stève Stievenart became on Monday the first Frenchman to cross Lake Tahoe, the largest mountain lake in the United States straddling two states, California and Nevada. This swim is part of the Triple Crown of Monsters circuit, which also includes Lake Memphremagog in Canada. The three monsters are Nessie at Loch Ness, Tessie at Tahoe, and Memphre at Memphremagog.
It was 7:22 p.m. Sunday in California (4:20 a.m. Monday morning in France) when Stève Stievenart got into the water, in Lake Tahoe located at an altitude of 1,857 m, and which is distinguished by its transparent turquoise water (visibility at 24m deep). The next morning, he arrived at the other end, at the northern end, at 11:08 a.m. local time, or 8:08 p.m. Monday in France. He therefore swam tirelessly for 15:46 to connect the 35 km length of the lake from south to north.
Steve Stievenart shortly after his departure. (F.Vandrepote/DR)
“I swam under the Milky Way, Orion’s belt and even shooting stars”
“ At first, for the first three hours, I was fine despite the fairly strong wind, Stievenart told us shortly after his arrival. It was like a washing machine, I thought it was never going to stop. It was moving pretty well. Then it got really complicated because I’m not really used to swimming at altitude. I didn’t have the reach of salt like in the sea. Luckily I acclimated to the place for a fortnight. The spot is a marvel, the nature is magnificent and we come across bears without danger.
The lake itself is very clean and, contrary to usual, I had no apprehension at night in relation to the marine fauna. If I wanted to do most of the crossing at night, it’s because of the wind, which blows hard during the day. At night, the show is extraordinary because there is no light pollution. I swam under the Milky Way, Orion’s belt and even shooting stars. It was amazing. »
The swimmer from Wimereux has planned to cross Lake Memphremagog in 2023. He will then have completed the Triple Crown of Monsters, he who has already completed the Triple Crown (La Manche, Tour de Manhattan and Santa Catalina-Los Angeles) as well as the double Triple Crown (The Channel round trip – Two-way -, two towers of Manhattan and Santa Catalina – Los Angeles round trip).
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