Mariana Chevalier Santos Swims Travessia do Leme ao Pontal
Mariana Chevalier Santos Swims Travessia do Leme ao Pontal
Courtesy of Adherbal de Oliveira, Travessia do Leme ao Pontal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
16-year-old Mariana Chevalier Santos wrote her name in the history of open water as the youngest swimmer to complete the 36 km Travessia do Leme ao Pontal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Young Mariana demonstrated a lot of composure during her challenge. She was accompanied by her coach Julio Saldanha with whom she has been training since 2017. LPSA Observer Ricardo Patrick Lima Silva and experienced pilot Max Paim Viglio.
On a starry night illuminated with a full moon, the forecasts called for east winds of 5 knots with southeast swells less than 1 meter high and water with an average temperature of 24°C (75.2°F). Swimming along the edge of the well-lit city of Rio de Janeiro, Mariana’s achievement – despite continuous seasickness – was complemented with the beauty of the shoreline scenery.
The swim started at 2:02 am on March 14th.
As dawn approached and approximately half of the course completed, Mariana increased her pace to 3.5 km/hour as the sun’s rays highlighted the beauties of the city of Rio de Janeiro as the Archipelago das Cagarras, Tijucas Islands and Pedra da Gávea.
In the last 10 km, Mariana picked up her stroke pace and kick for a fantastic finish after 9 hours 42 minutes. She became the 31st person to finish, the third fastest time among women in the history of the swim.
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Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor – Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming’s Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University’s John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.