Knut Ivan Rasmussen started the swim in Oslo on Friday 1 July. On Wednesday at 12 o’clock, the very last stage of the 700 kilometer test of manhood starts. Then Rasmussen will swim the last ten kilometers to Zachariasbryggen in Vågen in Bergen. The goal is to arrive at 3 p.m. You can see the entire stage directly from our camera on the escort boat. LONG TRIP: The swimming trip from Oslo to Bergen is referred to as the longest ever in the Nordic region. Photo: Norwegian Swim Expedition 2022 Psychological experiment The 44-year-old psychologist and swimming coach from Oslo has written a master’s thesis on the fear of failure. The swimming trip has been a kind of experiment in the extension of that. – It’s the craziest thing I’ve tried, and the most extreme thing I’ve done, Rasmussen told news when he jumped into the sea a month and a half ago. The super swimmer has not been on land during the long trip, but has only been on board the escort boat between swimming sessions. Along the way, Knut Ivan and his helpers have posted updates on Facebook. They refer to the project as the longest swim in the Nordics ever. TWO MILES A DAY: The daily stages have often been just under two miles, but on some days it has been a little shorter or longer. Photo: Norwegian Swim Expedition 2022 Long experience It is not the first time Knut Ivan has been on long swims. He has participated and won several times in the swimming competition from Horten to Moss. In the summer of 2014, he swam the 100 kilometer long stretch from Oslo to World’s End on Tjøme, which has so far been his longest swim. Several have been skeptical about whether the Oslo-Bergen swim was possible. Among them was Bjørn Soleng, secretary general of Norway’s Symjeforbund, who was interviewed by news when the strength test started. – Personally, I don’t think he can do it. It’s so far. But if there is someone who will manage it, it is him, said Soleng. PSYCHOLOGIST: Knut Ivan Rasmussen is a psychologist, and uses the swim as a project to test how far he can stretch his own limits. Photo: Norwegian Swim Expedition 2022 Many reefs in the sea It is easy to understand how challenging it is to take the Swim Button 3,500 times in succession over the course of a few weeks. And the trip was not without problems. Already out through the Oslo Fjord, Rasmussen encountered bad weather, including a lot of wind, which led to very slow progress. Jellyfish stings, low temperatures in the sea and chafing wounds are other things that have plagued Rasmussen along the way. – I’m a little sore here and there, but it’s going quite well, he says to news as the end of the incredible performance approaches. A typical day’s stage has been between 15 and 22 kilometers, but occasionally more or less than that. When he comes to Bergen, it’s completely normal, everyday things that are on his wish list. – I actually just want to stroll around Bryggen or relax in the hotel room with TV and remote control. And then I want to shave, because now it has started to itch, says the swimmer. CHALLENGING: Both the cold and the wind have meant that Rasmussen has often run out of energy at the end of each session. Photo: Norwegian Swim Expedition 2022 Romantic on the companion boat According to Bergensavisen, Rasmussen has gained a great deal of personal gain from the trip between Oslo and Bergen. Along the way, he has developed the friendship of one of the supporting players in the escort boat, Matilde Schjetne. – The expedition has given us the opportunity to talk much more together, and find out that we want to stay together, he says to the newspaper. BEING HEARD: Along the entire coast, Knut Ivan Rasmussen has been cheered on and well received by the boaters. Photo: Norwegian Swim Expedition 2022
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