Irish woman swims into 'triple crown' history, inspired by Cork brother's transplant journey

Maura Twomey swimming as dawn breaks in California

Irish woman Maura Twomey has become the oldest person to successfully cross California’s Catalina Channel in a sub-16-hour swim.

Her feat completes the Triple Crown of open water swimming. Having taken up open water challenges around her 50th birthday, the 70-year-old has also crossed the English Channel, and completed Manhattan's 20 Bridges Swim - two more of the world’s most prestigious open-water swims.