A blur of fluorescence bobbed in inky waters. Thundering waves drowned the faint voice singing hits from Dil To Pagal Hai. These were the only signs for the pilot boat anxiously following the 16-year-old swimming-machine Rupali Ramdas Repale in Cook Strait's icy, choppy waters.Between dangerously dehydrating mouthfuls of brine, the petite girl refused her father Ramdas' appeal to give up. The original target of swimming 26 km, thrown to truant winds—often reaching 35 knots—contrary to predictions of a calm sea on March 9. When Rupali touched land at Owhiro Bay, after a punishing 19 hours and 44 minutes, she'd covered an unintended and stupendous 80 km.