Albanian-origin lawyer Eva Buzo becomes first woman to swim across the Strait of Otranto
Eva Buzo, an Australian lawyer of Albanian origin, has made history by becoming the first woman to swim across the Strait of Otranto. Buzo embarked on her journey on the afternoon of Saturday, August 17, departing from the shores of Lecce, Italy, and successfully reached the Bay of Grama in Albania around 5 a.m. Monday.
Context
The swim took 35 hours and 17 minutes, with Buzo making no significant stops, although she took brief breaks for nourishment and hydration. Her previous attempt to cross the Otranto Channel in June 2023 was cut short when she stopped just 10 miles from the Karaburun Peninsula on the Albanian coast.
The inspiration for this challenging swim came to Buzo during the pandemic lockdown. The first person to complete the crossing was Italian Paolo Pinto in July 1979.
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