Raleigh teen joins elite group of swimmers to cross English Channel

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh high school student is now among the elite swimmers who have successfully crossed the English Channel.

Lorelei Schmidt, a 17-year-old student who swims for the Marlins of Raleigh swim team, completed the feat Friday morning.

Schmidt recently posted a video on Instagram showing part of her swim.

She completed the 21-mile journey between England and France in 12 hours and 32 minutes.

ABC11 spoke with Schmidt while she was training for the crossing. She said her passion for open-water swimming began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when pool closures pushed her to train in open water.

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