Irene Keel is determined to wrest a proud sporting record from its current title-holder - and he's only had it for a matter of days.
Seventy-year-old Australian Cyril Baldock last week became the oldest person to swim across the English Channel.
Now 73-year-old Brisbane grandmother Irene Keel wants that title - and two other world titles along with it.
"The "least youngest" person to swim across the channel. The "least youngest" woman to swim across the channel. And the "least youngest" Australian to swim across the channel. So that gives me three titles from one swim and I think that's pretty good," Irene told SBS during a training swim at Dover on Britain's south coast.
"It's always been called the Everest of swimming. They say about 85 per cent mental,15 per cent physical. And I'd go along with that. You really have to have a clear mind."
"Irene only learnt to swim in her fifties after suffering a back injury. Now she's hoping to swim her way into the history books.
Dodging ferries and jellyfish in the world's busiest seaway, Irene Keel says it's a lot different to swimming in Queensland - but she is raring to go.
Her journey from England to France could take more than 15 hours.
If successful, she'll become the oldest person to ever complete the 36-kilometre crossing.
"It's always been called the Everest of swimming. They say about 85 per cent mental,15 per cent physical. And I'd go along with that. You really have to have a clear mind," says Irene.
The previous holder claimed the title just last week - her swimming club partner, 70-year-old Bondi surf lifesaver Cyril Baldock.
Irene Keel's expedition has a dual purpose - to raise money in memory of her friend, motor neurone campaigner Scott Sullivan.
"For me the motivation will be Scott's photo up on the side of my boat - it'll be a big banner - with a lovely picture of Scott smiling and apart from that all I think about it my stroke and my rhythm," she says.
After months of careful planning and gruelling training there is of course one thing Irene can't control, the weather.
Dover isn't exactly beautiful one day, perfect the next, so, for now at least, it's an anxious waiting game.
Irene Keel's spending the hours circling the harbour in preparation for a swim that she hopes will motivate others.
"If it just inspires one person to go out and do more exercise whether it's swimming or anything else than I will have achieved something. I'll be very happy about that."
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