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American Wittmack Scales Peak, Challenges Pond

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Tampa Tribune wires

Published: August 29, 2008

Des Moines, Iowa - Five years after Charlie Wittmack trudged to the top of 29,035-foot Mount Everest, he's poised to complete a rare adventure sports double by swimming the English Channel.
If he succeeds in the 21-mile swim, the 31-year-old trial lawyer from Des Moines will be the first American and fourth person to achieve both feats, an accomplishment known as the peak and the pond.
"It's a challenge that's been floating around in adventure circles for a while now," Wittmack said.
Depending on the weather, Wittmack hopes to dive into the Channel at about 10 a.m. today at Shakespeare Beach in Dover and climb out on the French coast about 12 hours later.
Wittmack trained seven years for his climb of Everest, the highest point on the globe. Upon reaching the summit on May 22, 2003, he found himself in some of the worst conditions ever recorded on the mountain.
"I spent three days without food or water and a day without oxygen above 20,000 feet," he said.
As on Everest, staying warm will be a factor in crossing the English Channel. "We expect the water to be up to 67 degrees this week — at that level hypothermia is still a major concern," Wittmack said.
Wade Gets Hero's Welcome
MIAMI Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who helped the U.S. men's basketball team capture Olympic gold in Beijing, was feted Thursday on "Dwyane Wade Day" in both the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.
Around 1,000 schoolchildren and another 1,000 season ticket-holders were at the midday event, and Wade said he "had to hold back a couple tears" A banner commemorating his gold-medal summer was unveiled, soon to hang from the arena's rafters.
The Heat will add banners for two of their other longtime stars, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway, who won Olympic gold at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Wade was the leading scorer for the U.S. in Beijing, averaging 16 points on 67 percent shooting, and his 27 points played a huge role in the Americans' win over Spain in the gold-medal game.
WHEATIES WEIGHS IN: American decathlete Bryan Clay and gymnast Nastia Liukin will get their own special-edition Wheaties boxes.
Phelps On VMA, SNL
NEW YORK The swimmer who took home a record-breaking eight gold medals from the Beijing Games joins Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan and Ciara as presenters at the Sept. 7 VMAs telecast from Los Angeles. British comedian Russell Brand will host.
It's been a busy week for Michael Phelps, who announced he'll write a book about his road to Olympic history (to be released in time for the holidays) and plans to host the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live."
The record-breaking Olympic swimmer, who so often was at a loss for words during his many post-race interviews, will join hip-hop star Lil Wayne in hosting the comedy show's live season premier on Sept. 13.
The 23-year-old Phelps won an historic eight gold medals in Beijing, breaking broke Mark Spitz's long-standing record, and set seven world records while becoming an overnight sports icon. He also became the most decorated Olympian with 14 career medals.

World Cup Roster Expands
CHICAGO Defenders Danny Califf, Michael Orozco and Marvell Wynne were added to the U.S. roster for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Midfielder Ricardo Clark also was among 20 players selected by U.S. coach Bob Bradley. Injured midfielder Pablo Mastroeni was dropped along with defender Jay DeMerit.
HORSE RACING: Curlin, the champion 3-year-old of 2007 and Horse of the Year, drew the No. 5 post in a field of eight and was made the 3-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

A Tribune wire report

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