Historic Ocean Swim Achieved by Avram Iancu of Romania, Crossing Europe from North Sea to Black Sea in 4,448 kilometers.
Avram Iancu Completes Historic Triple Crown of River Stage Swims
Romanian open-water swimmer Avram Iancu has made history by becoming the first person to complete the Triple Crown of River Stage Swims, swimming across Europe without the use of a wetsuit.
Between June 29 and August 8, 2025, Iancu swam the entire length of the navigable waterway Rin–Main–Danube, covering approximately 556 km from the North Sea to the Black Sea. This achievement marks the completion of the Triple Crown of River Stage Swims challenge, which includes significant multi-stage swims along Europe’s major rivers.
Iancu had previously completed longer stage swims, such as an 89-day, 2,860 km swim on the Danube River in 2017. His 2025 swim fulfills the newly recognized challenge described as the world's first “Triple Crown of Rivers Stage Swims” Challenge, awaiting official ratification.
The Triple Crown of River Stage Swims includes the Danube (2,860 km in 89 days, completed in 2017), the Rhine (1,032 km in 48 days, completed in 2023), and the Main-Danube Canal (556 km in 40 days, completed this year and pending ratification).
Iancu's swim across the Rhine in 2023 was officially recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Federation, and he dedicated the swim to the message of a "United Europe." His 2025 swim across the Rhine-Main-Danube waterway was also in support of Romania's bid to join the Schengen Area.
In total, Iancu has spent 177 days swimming over just three years. Upon completing his marathon swim, Iancu addressed his family, expressing emotion and apologizing for absences from his daughters' childhood. His daughters, it seems, understand the sacrifices he has had to make for his record-breaking swims.
Iancu's long-distance swims often carry symbolic meaning, and his latest swim across Europe is no exception. If ratified, Iancu could earn the distinction of completing the world's first "Triple Crown of River Stage Swims" challenge.
References: 1. World Open Water Swimming Association 2. World Open Water Swimming Federation 3. Triple Crown of River Stage Swims 4. Avram Iancu's Danube Swim 5. Avram Iancu's Apology to His Daughters
Avram Iancu's latest swim, the Triple Crown of River Stage Swims, includes swims across the Danube, Rhine, and Main-Danube Canal. Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the official ratification of Iancu's achievement, which could earn him the distinction of completing the world's first Triple Crown of River Stage Swims.
