Mr. Jurzynski's swim is booked for the neap tides of July 13 to 20; however, wind, weather and/or human factors could delay his attempt until late July or August.

He is "absolutely ahead" of his training target, he advised, and in fact has completed more training in the Channel this year than ever before.

On Thursday, June 25, he completed a three-hour training swim off of Bleriot-Plage, France. Two days later, he did a six-hour training swim with and against the tide on the English side.

"Thirteen-plus months after open heart/dual bypass surgery, I feel stronger than ever before," the 58-year-old told Voices.

"Obviously, eating a low-fat diet, I am thinner than previous summers, so I am acclimatizing to the cold water every day. In my view, if wind conditions are co-operative, I will beat my 2007 time of 16 hours, 21 minutes."

As a seasoned athlete, he added, his goal now is not to overtrain.

Mr. Jurzynski spends considerable time each summer in Folkestone, England and Bleriot-Plage, France. This year, he is dedicating his swim to the French town's namesake.

On July 25, 1909, aviator Louis Bleriot flew solo from Dover to what is now Bleriot-Plage in a little more than a half hour. In honor of the 100th anniversary of that flight, the Naugatuck native is dedicating his 2009 Dover-to-France swim to Louis Bleriot.

"I want to be a participant in the events of our time, and certainly this 100-year anniversary is a milestone for the French and for aviation," Mr. Jurzynski said. "I'm pleased to be part of it.

"I am also happy and pleased to be very vigorously training in the English Channel, 13-plus months after open heart/bypass surgery."

Mr. Jurzynski's swim will be under the rules and supervision of the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation. Michael Oram, CSPF secretary, will pilot his escort boat.