Born:  19 February 1978
Gender: Man
Country: Italy
Crossing Year: 2019
Time: 05 h 39 min 06 sec
Neoprene swimsuit: NO

I work as a lawyer and swimming is one of my passions. I have been swimming for 35 years for the Sport Club Merano, for which I was vice-president and president from 2009 to 2015.

As a young swimmer, from 1993 to 2004, I held provincial and regional records in free style and in the dolphin.
Swimming has been and still is part of my daily life, so much so that I train when I can 4-5 times a week, participating in various national and international events.

I like to confront myself and the young athletes of my team, but in particular I like the company and the time together with my swimming companions. The right thing, after a long day at the office! 🙂

In 2010 I approached open water swimming by reading an article on the Channel Crossing, later discovering other crossings of the most difficult straits in the world.

On the occasion of a college in Malta I learned the basics of open water swimming, in particular of swimming in cold waters: around 15 degrees, according to the rules of Channel Swimming, without wetsuit but with a simple swimsuit, cap and goggles.

Malta was the beginning of unforgettable challenges, including the Channel Strait in 2012 and the Strait of Gibraltar in 2015, both ended with the best Italian time of all time. More, the Denmark-Germany Strait, the Strait of Messina and the next targets are already in preparation.

Of swimming in open water I like the comparison with the strength and beauty of nature, with the sea, currents, waves, but also with myself. Each time it is always a different experience, with unique emotions.

As unique as the ones I am sure to find in the Bocche di Bonifacio, together with my training companions on this adventure.

(Thomas Ladurne, September 2019)