Born: 1961 (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Biography:
Irene van der Laan, a Dutch professional open water swimmer, was born on July 10, 1961, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She learned to swim at the age of six in a pool in Amsterdam, and it soon became evident that she possessed a natural talent for swimming. As the only member of her family who knew how to swim, Irene took stroke lessons at the pool and began training under Coach Jaap Ploeg.
In 1976, Irene’s exceptional abilities led her to obtain special permission from the federation to participate in her first 16-kilometer race despite being below the minimum age of 16. Displaying her determination and endurance, she completed the race in an impressive time of 4 hours and 18 minutes, becoming the first female to finish. This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of Irene’s thriving career in open water swimming.
The year 1979 turned out to be the pinnacle of Irene’s open water swimming journey. Her eyes set on a monumental challenge, she successfully navigated the English Channel, a feat that demanded supreme physical and mental strength. Irene’s unwavering determination propelled her forward, and she effortlessly conquered the channel in a remarkable time of just 8 hours and 44 minutes. This accomplishment firmly established Irene as one of the finest open water swimmers of her time.
Further cementing her status as a swimming prodigy, Irene van der Laan went on to achieve the extraordinary two-way English Channel crossing in 1983, setting a world record time of 18 hours and 15 minutes. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve earned her two consecutive Rolex watches for the fastest English Channel swim in 1982 and 1983, distinguishing her as the first swimmer to achieve this remarkable feat.
Throughout her illustrious career, Irene competed in over 200 marathon swimming competitions, traversing vast distances and demonstrating her exceptional endurance. She participated in races around the globe, including Australia, Egypt, Argentina, Mexico, the USA, Canada, and Italy, excelling in each one and often securing a top-three finish. Notable among her favorite races were the Traversee International du lac St. Jean in Canada, where she competed 27 times, the Farosmarathon in Stari Grad, Croatia, where she raced 21 times, and Lake Memphremagog in Canada, where she participated 20 times.
In 1988, Irene’s unwavering dedication to her craft culminated in a monumental achievement – she became the Women’s World Champion of professional swimming. After five years of finishing in second place, she seized the prestigious title, solidifying her status as one of the greatest open water swimmers to grace the sport.
Irene van der Laan’s remarkable athletic achievements are not limited to her numerous records and medals. Devoted to promoting and enriching the sport, Irene has consistently displayed deep appreciation for her crew and team, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support in marathon swimming. Her passion and dedication have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of open water swimming.
Awards:
– Three Times English Channel Crossing: 1979, 1982, 1988
– Two-way English Channel Crossing: 1983
– First person to win Rolex Watch two times for fastest English Channel: 1982 and 1983
– Traversee International du lac St-Jean (42 km World Cup in Canada): 1983, 1984, 1987, 1997
– Traversee International du lac St-Jean (64 km in Canada): 27x in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994-2011
– Traversee International du lac Memphremagog (34 km in Canada): 20x in 1987-1992, 1995-2005
– Farosmarathon (16 km, Stari Grad, Croatia): 21x
– Ijsselmeer (21 km The Netherlands): 15x
– La Patagones – Viedma FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix (15 km in UAE): 2008
– Maratono del Golfo Capri-Napoli (36 km Italy): 8x 1987-1992
– Rosario Marathon Acuatico (15 km in Argentina): 8x 1994-1998, 2000, 2005, 2008