This story begins at the finish, on the rocky shores of Normandy. That is where, one by one, an opera singer, a television sports reporter and a professional long-distance swimmer — all Czechs — emerged from the water after crossing the English Channel in late July and early August. They weathered the 21-mile (34-kilometer) distance, powerful currents and 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) water temperature wearing nothing but bathing suits. One of them set a record.

The channel, or La Manche, as the French call it, has lured swimmers for well over a century, ever since British Captain Matthew Webber swam it in 1875. What motivates people to plunge into cold ocean waters and brave choppy waves, stinging jellyfish and their own physical limitations?

When Lord Byron swam across the Greek strait Hellespont in the early 19th century, it was to imitate the mythical journey of Leander, who swam the strait to reach his lover Hero. Leander swam for love, Byron for glory.

The Czech opera singer Richard Haan, who has been trying to cross the channel since 1999 and finally succeeded on his fourth attempt, plunged in to meet a personal challenge. Stanislav Bartu?sek, the reporter, swam to make a sports documentary. And competitive swimmer Yvetta Hlavácová was aiming at a world record.

Whatever their reasons, most swimmers agree that crossing the channel isn't just about strength, endurance and favorable weather conditions. Willpower plays a crucial role.

"It is the 'Everest' of long-distance swimmers," says Alison Streeter, chairwoman of the UK-based Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation. "We always say it's 90 percent mental preparation that gets you there. Some poor swimmers can make it, whilst stronger swimmers can't."

No matter what his or her level, every swimmer must adhere to strict rules for his attempt to count. If, for instance, he touches the navigational boat that must accompany each swimmer, he is automatically disqualified.

Streeter, who is known in England as "Queen of the Channel," has crossed La Manche an astonishing 43 times. "All the pain and agony is forgotten when you reach the other side and the adrenaline is pumping," she says. "The tougher the swim, the higher the lift."

Indescribable moments

Haan might disagree. During his first attempt to cross the channel, he spent almost 18 hours in the water, battling against powerful currents and stormy weather. When he finally gave up, it was early morning and he was completely exhausted.

These days it's difficult to imagine Haan, 55, in a state of defeat. Tall and broad-shouldered, he paces the stage of the State Opera, where he will sing lead roles in Nabucco and Rigoletto at the end of August. His skin is tanned and smooth, like the surface of a pebble that has been tossed in the ocean for a long time.

Haan began long-distance swimming at age 35 and until recently was self-taught. He says that his experience as an opera soloist helped him prepare for the challenge of La Manche. "I learned early on that nothing is handed to you — I had to work really hard to get to where I am today," he says. "When you're standing on the stage, you're there alone and can't hide behind anyone, just like when you're swimming in the ocean."

After three unsuccessful attempts, Haan says that until the very last few strokes of the fourth, he couldn't believe he would actually make it. "The final moment [on shore] was indescribable," he says.

Bartůšek, 44, was also incredulous when he succeeded in crossing the channel a few days later. "I didn't quite believe I could succeed since so many excellent swimmers had failed," he says. "I figured my role would be to show how an amateurish swimmer can get whipped by the English Channel."

Bartůšek isn't your typical amateur swimmer. He's competed in a lot of triathlons, including the Hawaiian Ironman. Those were easy compared to crossing La Manche, he says.

One of Bartůšek's goals in preparing for the swim was to gain 10 kilograms (22 pounds), but he didn't succeed. This meant he wasn't protected by a layer of fat and started to feel cold very quickly. "I was ready to give up many times," he says. "The saner part of my ego was telling me to stop this nonsense. About halfway through, I told myself to last just 10 more minutes, so I wouldn't lose face."

After 10 minutes, Bartůšek decided to try for another 10. And so it went until he reached France. With a time of 10 hours and 7 minutes, he became the second-fastest Czech to cross the channel — until Hlaváčová's swim one day later.

Setting a record

Over 6 feet tall (1.8 meters), big-boned, big-eyed and blond, Hlaváčová, 30, is a force to be reckoned with. The cold didn't faze her. "I was swimming so hard that I was actually glad the water was so cold," she recalls, sitting in an outdoor café at the Erpet Golf Center in Prague 5. A wasp begins to circle her head, and Hlaváčová smacks it against the table with a powerful swipe of her arm. "Had the ocean been warmer, I would have overheated," she adds. "Every motor needs to be cooled down."

In spite of her energy, Hlaváčová didn't break the world record as she had hoped. But with a time of 8 hours and 42 minutes, she became the fastest Czech to cross La Manche. (Another swimmer, the German Christof Wandratsch, broke the world record that same day with a time of 7 hours, 4 minutes.) And she remains undaunted. Compared to other long-distance races, she says, the channel swim isn't that difficult. "The conditions weren't perfect: The current was very strong and the strategy chosen by my pilot wasn't ideal," she says.

Hlaváčová is already planning to tackle La Manche again next year. "I'm thinking about booking slots for two swims next summer," she says. "Nothing is ever certain. But this way, I'll have a better chance to finally break the world record."

Bartůšek, meanwhile, is back on the TV screen announcing the athletic feats of others. And Haan is busy rehearsing for the upcoming season at the State Opera. Neither of the two men has any desire to repeat the swim. "I've fulfilled my dream," says Haan. "[The channel] only allowed me to succeed on my fourth try. There is no need to tempt luck."