#15 GREECE [Skopelos]

UltraSwim 33.3 Greece 2026 – four days, 33.3 km and a whole lot of achievement.

Across four days, 183 swimmers from 23 nationalities took on the iconic 33.3 km English Channel distance along the spectacular coast of Skopelos, Greece – the island famous for its stunning locations featured in the film Mamma Mia!

The 3rd edition of UltraSwim 33.3 Greece brought together swimmers of every age, background and experience level, with women outnumbering men with 63 percent of the field.

And while the field included ambitious racers pushing for the podium, it was perhaps the personal stories and milestones of the majority, just out to complete the challenge, that made the biggest impression.

For more than a third of the participants, this was their first time swimming a straight 10km in open water, let alone 33.3km in total over 4 days. Four days later, they had completed the equivalent of the English Channel – with bigger smiles, greater confidence and an enormous sense of achievement.

That is what makes UltraSwim 33.3 events so special. There is a competitive spirit, but alongside it is an incredible sense of community. Everyone is pushing their own limits, while encouraging and supporting the other swimmers around them.

And then there is the setting. Crystal-clear waters, spectacular coastline and the chance to swim alongside fish, starfish, and even dolphins and seals, supported by kayaks and safety boats, made for an unforgettable four days in the water.

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Four days. Six swims. 33.3 kilometres.

And 158 swimmers who can now say they swam the distance of the English Channel, proudly brandishing their 33.3 Finisher droplets.
 

Day 1 – The Double Swim
The event kicked off with two swims and a refuelling stop in between. Following a boat transfer to Loutraki, swimmers covered 4 km from Loutraki to Neo Klima in totally calm conditions, before continuing with 4.7 km from Neo Klima to Panormos Beach.

Day 2 – Mamma Mia Day
At 8.5 km, Day 2 is often considered the toughest stage. Long, with some currents to tackle, but also stunning – with picture-perfect coves along the north east wild coastline, crystal-clear water and a finish in the bay below the iconic church made famous by Mamma Mia!.

Day 3 – Marathon Day
The longest swim of the event: 10.2 km along the Skopelos southern unspoilt coastline, starting from Hotel Adrina. A major milestone for many swimmers, and a formidable challenge for everyone who took it on.

Day 4 – The Final Swim
The final 5 km took swimmers around Dasia Skopelou, including a spectacular passage through a sea cave and some of the clearest water of the event. This was followed by a short final untimed 1km swim – but a big finish. Everyone came together back at Adrina Beach for champagne, celebrations and the prize-giving - and accompanied by their family and friends on the F3 Supporter package for the final 200m of the swim. Teamwork!

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The winners summarised below - full results here

Winners – Skins Category - no buoyancy material / wetsuit

Women: Bryn Handley 🇺🇸 (USA) – 08:08:26

Men: Samir Barel 🇧🇷 (BRZ) – 07:32:21

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Winners – Wetsuit Category

Women: Anna-Karin Lundin 🇸🇪 (SWE)– 08:59:30

Men: David Shackley 🇺🇸 (USA) – 08:30:08

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The Resilience Award to the swimmer who was swimming for the longest, but who was a full 33.3 Finisher - Marie Engström in 16h 42m 32s (skins category) from Sweden (simcoachen).

The Best Improver Award to the swimmer who climbed the most places between the first and last races - Leonie Rammelsberg finished the first swim in 148th place but climbed to 56th overall in the scratch ranking by the end of the event.

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UltraSwim 33.3 Greece 2026 in numbers

• 183 participants, 158 completed all swims for their Finisher droplet

• 118 first-time participants

• 65 returning swimmers

• 23 nationalities

• 63% women

• Oldest participant: 74

• Average age: 52

• Slowest finisher pace 1.99km/h, fastest 4.4km/h (Samir Barel)

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