The Beach Club Le Ondine – Ristorante da Gemma is ready to host the start of the 59th edition of the historic Maratona Capri-Napoli Trofeo Farmacosmo. An event that has been held, with few exceptions, since 1949 and that has made Le Ondine the undisputed point of reference for one of the most fascinating and challenging sporting events in the world. From Marina Grande in Capri to the Naples waterfront, covering a distance of 36 km, athletes will face the demanding open-water race of the annual UltraMarathon Swim Series world circuit.
After Massimiliano Rosolino, godfather of the previous edition, this year’s chosen testimonial will be water polo player Amaurys Perez, who will energize the swimmers for what promises to be an even more thrilling competition, in the name of Ido Fioravanti and Cesare Altieri, the historic founders of the event.
Before the start, Le Ondine will offer a brunch at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, a convivial moment in one of the most charming locations of Marina Grande, which every year attracts experienced swimmers and enthusiasts from all over the world. Then the exciting and lengthy marathon toward the Gulf of Naples will begin, marking a race of great significance for the Italian Long Distance Swimming Federation.
A story that intertwines with that of the Beach Club Le Ondine and is reflected in the images displayed inside the venue, bearing witness to changing times but not to any change in its bond with the Marathon, as emphasized by the owner, Gemma Rocchi:
“Once again this year, as tradition dictates, the Capri-Napoli Marathon will start from the enchanting setting of ‘Le Ondine Beach Club’ and finish in the waters of Naples. We are thrilled to host this competition once more, which over the years has grown alongside our establishment. A new feature of this 59th edition is the presence of a special guest, Amaurys Pérez, coach, volleyball champion and well-known television personality, who will present the event. We are delighted to have him as our leading figure, a great champion and, at the same time, a wonderful person.
We will see seven Italian swimmers competing, and of course we hope for an Italian victory, as has happened in recent editions. I feel a bit like the godmother of this event, to which I am deeply attached. Even if some may take it lightly, this competition is much more than a simple race: it is the final stage of a world open-water swimming circuit. Let us not forget that this is a demanding challenge, with a 36 km course requiring between 7 and 8 hours of swimming, putting even the most experienced athletes to the test, as Massimiliano Rosolino pointed out last year.
We hope to see a large crowd supporting the athletes. In addition to the presence of Amaurys Pérez, the municipal administration will also attend to officially start the race. This year, to underline how much this event means to me, we have organized a brunch to accompany the 10 a.m. start, making the experience even more enjoyable for all our guests.”