Ragsdale attempts Channel swim

Dubai: Self-confessed adrenalin junky Scott Ragsdale, 39, is attempting to become the first Dubai resident to swim the English Channel today. He began his mammoth task this morning at 7am UAE time, 3am in Dover, England, and hopes to finish the 35.5km distance (48.3km with currents) in under 13 hours. If successful, he should be finished by 9pm UAE time tonight.

The Florida-born chairman of Naseba group has already completed the Marathon des Sables week-long Sahara run, 23 marathons, two Ironman triathlons and a successful Mount Kilimanjaro summit — but he insisted this swim was far from guaranteed.

"I've been corresponding with five other people training to cross the channel," Ragsdale said.

Disappointment

"As of last week four have failed and the fifth flew home after waiting two weeks for the weather to clear," said a humble Ragsdale, who's been training in the south of France and Austria, in chilly Alp lakes and Mediterranean waters, all summer.

With a 20 per cent success rate, the chances of completing the channel swim are considerably slimmer than scaling Mount Everest.

"The English Channel swimmer is part of an exclusive club — I will do everything in my power to make sure I join this club," he said.

"I want to experience the cold, pain and suffering and see if I'm mentally and physically strong enough to make this happen."

Ragsdale added: "I sincerely believe this will be mostly a mental challenge. Of course it's going to be cold, but what separates those who succeed and those who fail? ... I think it's going to be one mental test, I hope to pass".