Press release

14 July 2008

Australian actuary Kaise Stephan (left) successfully completed his crossing of the English Channel this morning. Mr Stephan entered the water at Dover at 2.30pm yesterday (Sunday, 13 July) and reached the French coast 12 and a half hours later at 3am.

The 33-year-old, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, had planned to begin the 35km swim on Thursday, but was forced to wait out stormy and windy weather due to safety concerns.

Mr Stephan said that while he had been too tired to celebrate his success immediately after reaching Cap Gris Nez, his achievement did not take long to sink in.

He said: “The elation will come soon after I’ve had a sleep and wake up to realise that this time getting across wasn’t all a dream and I’ll have the sore muscles to prove it.

During the swim, he said the support crew had helped him complete the gruelling swim.

“The support crew on the boat made sure to keep my spirits high through the longest day of my life and although twelve and a half hours may seem a long stretch I was prepared for a possible 15 hours so I was extremely happy with the timing.

Mr Stephan’s crossing has gained official recognition by the Channel Swimming Association and has raised $A100,000 for the Children’s Hospital Westmead in Sydney.

In preparation for the swim, Mr Stephan had been training for the swim for past two and a half years, including braving sharks to swim from Bundeena, south of Sydney, to Bondi Beach. He covered more than 4,500km in training, with the help of his coach, Daniel Esposito, a former Australian Olympic pentathlete.

His supporters in the swim include the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and his employer Munich Reinsurance in Sydney. The money Mr Stephan raises will assist in research and providing much-needed equipment for the Children’s Hospital of Westmead.

For more information about his swim and to donate, visit: www.channelcrossingforlife.com.

Enquiries: Tel: Fleur Morrison on 020 7632 1453 or email fleur.morrison@actuaries.org.uk

Interviews: Tel: Kaise Stephan 07 972 784 972.

Notes to Editors

1. Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.
2. Members of the Profession have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s.
3. The Profession is governed jointly by the Faculty of Actuaries in Edinburgh and the Institute of Actuaries in London. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of the Profession in society.