Courtesy of Alejandro Alfarache, Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli, Italy.
The Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli is the fifth leg of the 2017 FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix. While the professional marathon swim is one of the longest-running professional marathon swimming competitions in the world, it also offers an amateur option organized by Luciano Cotena.
In 1949 Aldo Fioravanti and Cesare Alfieri were the first ones to swim from Napoli to Capri Island in around 12 hours. For many years, the 36 km (22.3-mile) course was site of the world’s marathon swimming competition from Marina Grande on Capri to the seafront in Naples that can take the world’s most experienced and fastest swimmer between 6 hours 15 minutes and 6 hours 45 minutes.
Mexican marathon swimmer Aby Ortega [shown above], coached by Patty Kohlmann, just turned 50. As a celebration of her birthday, she gifted herself an entry to the 2017 Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli which she started this June 30th at 9 am.
“She’s currently past half the distance, swimming strong and, as usual, positive and happy,” reported Alejandro Alfarache of Team Kohlmann.
Postscript: After 10 hours, conditions were not favorable for Ortga to finish the swim and she decided to abort the swim.
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