Thomas W. Kofler Becomes Italy’s First Triple Crowner
Thomas W. Kofler became the first Italian and 70th person in history to achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming with his successful Catalina Channel swim on July 29th.Under glassy conditions from beginning to end, Kofler landed on sandy Abalone Cove on the California mainland 14 hours 10 minutes after starting on California Island. “Before zigzagging around thick kelp under the guidance of Jim Fitzpatrick [near the finish], some dolphins swam close curious who is invading their playground. It was an unforgettable experience.”
He benefitted from an all-star California crew. Dan Simonelli and Fitzpatrick were his observers on the boat Outrider. Frances Ber from San Diego assisted as crew with Jesse Gros from San Francisco and Allison Bayne from Avila Beach as his kayakers. “The whole team was just spot-on and paramount to the success for my swim. Special thanks go to Barbara Held and Neil van der Byl. They supported me in finding the crew and the kayakers and pilot John Pittman with Dannie at the helm of the Outrider.”
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming
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.
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