See
http://www.opera.com/swim/
The Story
Before the weekend, Opera's CEO, Jon S. von Tetzchner boldy proclaimed at a company meeting that if download numbers of Opera 8 reached 1 million within four days he would swim from Norway to the USA [press release]. Opera's communications department could not resist the temptation, and made his statement public. As any respectable CEO and gentlemen, Mr. Tetzchner stands by his word.
DOWNLOADS: 1,050,000: TARGET REACHED!
I want to thank each and every one of the one million plus people who have downloaded Opera 8 over the last days. I am proud to say that this is the most successful browser launch in the ten-year history of Opera. I have received numerous requests over the weekend on whether or not I am going to swim to the USA should we reach one million downloads. Although I blatantly admit that my promise was based more on joy and enthusiasm than my swimming abilities and physical health, I will do my very best to keep it.
- Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO
Situation report
Oslo, Norway - April 25, 2005 – 0900 CET/03:00 am EST
After his bold statement went public on Thursday, Jon has spent several hours at Bislett Bad, the nearest public swimming pool, doing laps to prepare himself for the overwhelming task ahead. On Sunday, he also spent a good half hour submerged in the bathtub at home in relatively cool temperatures to reduce the shock of the icy Oslo fjord.
"I take this challenge very seriously, but after three laps at Bislett Bad on Saturday I realized, as I was heaving like a whale, that I should probably have started the training a little bit earlier," says a slightly nervous Jon S. von Tetzchner. "I am hoping that my extra pounds of excess body fat will create enough buoyancy to keep me afloat and insulation to keep me warm."
Jon is assisted by Opera's PR manager who will be rowing alongside the adventurous CEO in the company inflatable raft on the trip across the Atlantic as an act of guilt after making the CEO's statement public. The fearless crew is currently on its way to an undisclosed location in the Oslo fjord to begin the long journey toward America in the true spirit of the Vikings before them.
New time for next update: 16:00 CET (10:00 am EST)
(Due to unforeseen difficulties of getting into a wet suit for the first time in his life, Jon started his swim one hour later than scheduled. Stay tuned for next update!)
And then dont forget to see
http://people.opera.com/nicolasm/opera_ch05.svgz