Not since Martin Brody in 1975 was the world this interested in a battle between a man and a great white shark.
On Sunday, Discovery Channel kicked off its annual Shark Week with a race between 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and a shark.
The moment of glory for #TeamShark!!! #PhelpsVsShark #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/NWYp1CwiRa
— Shark Week (@SharkWeek) July 24, 2017
Billed: Great Gold vs. Great White, the two swimming machines were digitally imposed side by side in a 100 metre swimming race.
Phelps swam in the shark filled waters off the coast of South Africa wearing a specially designed, 1-millimetre-thick wet suit and custom "monofin".
The race was closer than most probably expected, with the great white shark of unknown age and origin, swimming the course in 36.1 seconds.
The 32-year-old Olympian came in at 38.1.
Phelps was quick to call for a rematch, but in more favourable conditions. The water off the coast of South Africa was a frigid 11°C; where as the water in an Olympic swimming pool must be kept between 25°C and 28°C.
Rematch? Next time..warmer water. #SW30 @Discovery @SharkWeek
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) July 24, 2017
Despite the close finish, some of those who did stick around for the entire hour long special were left disappointed by the fact that Phelps was racing a digital representation of a shark, and not a real great white.
Michael Phelps not PHYSICALLY racing a shark but still having a tv special is equal to having a meeting when it coulda been an email :/
— MacKenzie Huneke (@Huenke) July 24, 2017
When you find out that Michael Phelps isn't actually racing an actual shark pic.twitter.com/6KwHGaWXc9
— t (@tatummowery) July 24, 2017