Udaipur's Gaurvi Singhvi, 16, became the youngest Indian open water swimmer to cross the English Channel recently. She achieved this feat, swimming the distance of 40 kms, from Samphire Hoe beach in southeast England to Cape Gris Nez in northern France, in 13 hours and 28 minutes on August 23.

"Crossing the English Channel is one of the toughest challenges for any swimmer. I've been preparing for it for over two years. Though I was confident that I had the stamina, the mental challenge is bigger," Gaurvi said at the Mumbai Press Club yesterday.