Ederle, Gertrude Caroline (ā'durlē) [key], 1905–2003, American swimmer, b. New York City. Ederle won three medals in the 1924 Olympic games. On Aug. 6, 1926, she became the first woman to swim the English Channel, which she crossed in rough seas in 14 hr and 31 min, breaking the previous men's record. She became a professional soon afterward, making several successful tours before her retirement.
