Choose a language
Translations open in a new tab using Google Translate. English opens the original page.
28 of 28 languages
CZECzech RepublicSport:SwimmingYvetta Hlaváčová is a Czech swimmer whose career spans elite pool racing, international open-water competition and solo Channel swimming. World Aquatics lists her in both swimming and open-water disciplines. Her 2021 Hall of Fame biography credits nine years on the FINA World Cup circuit and 82 Czech pool titles, placing her Channel performances within a much broader sporting career.
She first crossed from England to France on 1 August 2005 in 8:42. The Channel Swimming Association’s published record also names her the year’s fastest woman. Returning on 5 August 2006, she completed a one-way swim in 7:25:15 with Michael Oram on Gallivant. That swim was part of an attempted two-way crossing, so the successful one-way record must be kept separate from the intended longer challenge. Guinness recognises the CS&PF women’s record while noting that CSA still acknowledges Penny Lee Dean’s mark.
Hlaváčová completed a third Channel swim in September 2007 in 7:53. In a later interview she described the appeal of swimming alone and competing against her own limits after years of crowded international races. She also undertook staged Vltava charity swims in 2007 and 2008. Her election to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 recognised achievements across these different forms of endurance swimming.
The recorded nationality is Czechia.
CS&PF women’s Channel record · 7:25:15 in 2006
Also recorded as Yvetta Hlavacova, Yvetta Tulip Hlaváčová.
Crossing details, recordings & verificationSolo swim
Monday, 1 August 2005 (recorded swim date)
England → France
Elapsed time · 8h 42m
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Ratifying body's record checked · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Solo swim
Saturday, 5 August 2006 (recorded swim date)
England → France
One completed leg of a two-way attempt. Guinness recognises the CS&PF women’s record and notes that CSA still acknowledges Penny Lee Dean.
Elapsed time · 7h 25m 15s
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Solo swim
Saturday, 8 September 2007 (recorded swim date)
England → France
Elapsed time · 7h 53m 0s
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Published account checked · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Monday, 1 August 2005
England to France in 8:42; CSA’s fastest female swim award for 2005.
Saturday, 5 August 2006
Completed the first leg of a two-way attempt in 7:25:15; Guinness preserves a separate CSA recognition note.
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Third selected solo, recorded at 7:53:00.
2007
The Hall of Fame biography records a staged downstream swim.
2008
The Hall of Fame biography records a staged upstream swim.
2021
Elected as an Honor Swimmer in the Class of 2021.
Achievements update from recorded results. A tick means the supporting results are verified.
No eligible completed results are linked yet. Link a completed result to start the achievement collection.
First recorded finish
1 more finish needed
0 of 1 recorded
Selected swimming performances appear in the English Channel record above.
Log in or create a free account to see the full results history, achievements and profile details.
Confirm ownership through the claim process before editing a profile.