The Viking Triple Crown

A New Nordic Challenge for the Open Water Swimming World

Many swimmers might walk away from the sport if shoulder injuries prevented them from pursuing their goals. But not Dennis Holm. Along with his wife Merete, he decided, instead, to create and promote a new swimming challenge, The Viking Triple Crown.

“Creating the Viking Triple Crown became a way to stay connected to open water swimming while helping to build something for other swimmers,” he says. “It’s a challenge that connects endurance, tradition, and Nordic maritime history.”

Inspired by the maritime routes and seafaring spirit of the Viking Age, the Viking Triple Crown brings together three significant European open water crossings into one unified challenge: the English Channel, SwimÖresund, and Beltquerung.

According to Dennis and Merete, the challenge combines marathon swimming, verified achievement, and historical connection.

“Each of the three crossings represents waters that played an important role in movement, trade, communication, and maritime access across Northern and Western Europe. Together, they create a demanding goal for experienced open water swimmers who wish to connect athletic achievement with a deeper historical and geographical meaning.

“The English Channel is widely known as one of the most iconic marathon swims in the world. SwimÖresund connects Denmark and Sweden across the Öresund, while Beltquerung links Denmark and Germany across the Fehmarn Belt. Each crossing has its own conditions, traditions, and governing body, making the combined challenge both physically demanding and logistically meaningful.”

Anke Tinnefeld of Germany became the first person to complete the Viking Triple Crown in 2023. She was followed in 2025 by John Charles Curley of Ireland and Jörg Schleibaum of Germany. Several more swimmers have completed two out of the three swims.

Verification and certification

“The Viking Triple Crown is not only about completing three swims,” says Dennis. “It is also about verified achievement, with each crossing documented according to the rules of its respective governing body.

“Finishers are listed on the Viking Triple Crown website, where official recognition and digital certificates form part of the concept. This gives swimmers a structured way to document their achievement and become part of a growing international challenge.”

Dennis and Merete, from Denmark, are also the founders of SwimÖresund. Their vision is to create a challenge that respects the traditions of marathon swimming while adding a distinct Nordic historical identity to the sport.

“For swimmers drawn to cold water, long distances, history, and meaningful routes, the Viking Triple Crown offers a new goal: three crossings, three regions, and one shared challenge inspired by the waters once travelled by the Vikings,” they say.

As for Dennis’s own swimming dreams, he has no current plans to tackle the full Viking Triple Crown, but if his shoulder allows it, he one day hopes to complete SwimÖresund.

Find out more: vikingtriplecrown.com