MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: MISSION BALTICMACIEK RUTKOWSKI: MISSION BALTICMaciek Rutkowski, World Champion and 20-time Polish Champion in windsurfing, crossed the Baltic Sea from Sweden to Poland on his foil gear setting a new record. Covering 227.5 km in just 8 hours and 28 minutes, Rutkowski reached speeds of up to 55 km/h before arriving Polish coast at Surf Stolica, Wadysawowo, at 3:28 p.m., where cheering crowds awaited him.It was hell. After an hour, my nervous system shut down. There were moments when I didnt know which way to go. Your vision and senses blur. You have to force yourself to drink and eat. Waves hit from three directions. My hands cramped up. It was twice as hard as I imagined. When I finally saw the land, I cried, said Rutkowski after reaching the shore.Seven wipeouts, a seal, cargo ships, and signal lossRutkowski set off at 7:00 a.m. from Sandhamn, southern Sweden, accompanied by two high-powered RIB boats with rescuers and a video crew streaming the extreme journey live. After a windless start, he faced three-meter waves, gusts of nearly 60 km/h, and seven wipeouts.At one point, a curious seal appeared, cargo ships loomed on the horizon, and the support team reported signal interference aboard their boat.It was so wet on the boat that the phone started sending messages and recording on its own Maciek is holding strong. A few wipeouts were caused by the harsh conditions. Sometimes we couldnt even see the second RIB it disappeared between the waves. the rescue team reported live from the Baltic.The entire route was streamed online through Samsung Galaxy smartphones the events official technology partner. Data from Rutkowskis Galaxy Watch allowed real-time tracking of his speed, remaining distance, and vital signs such as heart rate and calories burned.Those calories now turn into support for Malwinka, the ill daughter of fellow athlete Bartek Marszaek, Polands only F1 H2O World Championship competitor. Viewers had already donated nearly 24 000 euro (70K PLN) by the time Rutkowski crossed the finish line with Maciek pledging to add to the total.Watch the full crossing here:The post MACIEK RUTKOWSKI: MISSION BALTIC appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.