But there was no storybook ending for David and Richard Barnes, an emergency room physician from Holladay and a civil-litigation attorney from Sandy, respectively. Separated along the 36-mile swim by large waves, David pulled out because of hypothermia and nausea caused by swallowing so much water. But along the way, he gave his brother a gift that would help him to finish -even though it was a little white lie.

Richard, 32, was told the whole time that David, 36, was right behind him.

"That, more than anything kept me going," said Richard.

Sixteen hours and forty-three minutes later, Richard Barnes stood on the shores of France, where he received congratulations from a French family and grabbed a handful of damp sand as a souvenir.

The English Channel swim is considered the Mount Everest of long-distance swims, and conditions can be equally capricious and unforgiving. Twenty-one miles across as the crow flies, the Strait of Dover (the narrowest part of the English Channel) regularly challenges swimmers with not only high winds and white-capped waves, but jellyfish, seaweed and floating wood . The channel also is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, sources say.

Although the success rate has risen to 55 percent, according to Channel Swimming Association (CSA) chairman Mike Read, there have been at least six deaths associated with channel swims. In an e-mail interview, Read said there was one death Aug. 16.

Andy King, the escort boat pilot who accompanied the Barnes brothers on their adventure, said most swimmers prepare for two to five years for their swim, but the Barnes pair trained for one year, swimming four days a week, three miles a day. The men swam up to seven hours at a time in the 55 degree temperatures of Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs to simulate Channel conditions, though nothing prepared them for the waves and salt water David describes as "painful and gross."

A qualifying cold-water swim is a prerequisite for making a run at the real thing.

The two also gained 10 to 15 pounds in an attempt to help insulate them against the cold.

Channel swimmers organize their efforts through the Channel Swimming Association, an organization founded in 1927 to facilitate and regulate swims. The group has some very strict guidelines, which include the ban of wet suits or flotation aids. Instead, swimmers coat their bodies with "channel grease," a goopy mixture of lanolin and Vaseline reputed to reduce chafing and aid in retaining body heat.

"It definitely helped with the chafing," said David. "It's questionable whether it helps with the temperature." Swimmers are limited to one cap, one racing-style swimsuit and one pair of goggles. They are not allowed to touch or be touched by anyone or anything during the swim. An observer accompanies the crew to make certain association rules are met.

Read, who has made the journey 33 times himself, wrote: "Richard made a truly great swim in conditions that could have been much better. David made a gallant effort, but it was just not his day. I am sure he will have learnt from the experience and we will see him back again."

The Barnes brothers' adventure almost didn't happen, though, as weather conditions were threatening.

Escort boat pilots were booked a year in advance for Aug. 3 through Aug. 7. As nervous family members stood by, the opportunity to swim appeared to fade away, as day after day weather conditions were bad. Ray Cooper and Andy King, boat pilots for Richard and David, respectively, are experts who know the best route across the treacherous sea and consider the winds and tides before crossing.

Once the swim was under way, the men stopped once every few hours to eat quick, high-energy foods and drink. They ate granola bars and hot chocolate served with a pole that was extended from the escort boat. "The snacks are for energy, but you're treading water, so you don't want to stop more than a minute," Richard says. "The more time you sit there, you're being pushed by the current."

Support is critical to the channel swim.

"You just can't do it without a good support crew," David said. "They're in charge of feeding you, they're giving you all the encouragement, and just helping you in general."

Richard's wife, Darcee, and younger brother John accompanied Richard's boat. In David's boat were their parents, David and Cherie Barnes, and David's wife, Heather. Both groups prepared and served food, gave encouragement and relayed messages between boats.

The emotional energy made all the difference, Richard said.

"Especially at the end. Just looking up at them, seeing them cheer, the littlest things made all the difference. It's such a mental game." he said.

On another day, there could have been another outcome for David Barnes.

"He feels this big void, he worked so hard for this," said Heather Barnes.

However, the void might be filled someday.

"It's a big commitment, but I think I'd like to do it again," David said.