The Capri-Napoli Marathon 70th Anniversary Celebration Showcases Global Talent

In the world of open water swimming, few events hold the prestige of the Capri-Napoli Marathon. We approach its 70th anniversary this year, on Saturday, September 9th and the 58th edition of this iconic race promises to be a thrilling event.

The Capri-Napoli Marathon has always attracted top-tier talent. The starting list boasts 20 swimmers from six different countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Italy, and North Macedonia. The athletes range in age from young prodigies to seasoned veterans promising this will be a dynamic competition.

On the men’s side, notable participants include the reigning champion Alessio Occhipinti from Italy, who has previously clinched the title in both 2021 and 2022. Francesco Ghettini (winner in 2018 and recent winner in Canada in the cold waters of Lake S. Jean) and Evgenij Pop Acev from North Macedonia, a seasoned swimmer who stood atop the podium at the Capri-Napoli back in 2016. With them, Mario Sanzullo, from Massa di Somma, Olympian in Tokyo 2021 and European champion over 25 km in 2022, who last year on his debut had to settle for second place because of bad weather conditions. Sanzullo will try to bring the title back to Naples, which has not happened since Giulio Travaglio won in 1970. There is also the debut of another Neapolitan, Giuseppe Ilario, who after the bronze at the youth world championships in the 10 km is trying his hand at the Capri-Napoli Marathon. Another debut is of great interest is Federico Burdisso, two bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics in the 200 butterfly and in the 4×100 medley and gold at the Budapest 2022 world championships always in the 4×100 medley, who temporarily leaves the pool to compete in his first open water race. A young talent Ignacio Valdes from Chile, at just 16 years old, is also set to participate in the competition.

The women’s category is equally competitive. Erika Yensen from Argentina, with her impressive track record, is expected to be a strong contender. She’s joined by her compatriots Vanesa Garcia (third last year) and Mayte Puca. The starting list is completed by Chilean Mahina Valvidia and the Italian Elena Lionello.

This year’s race holds added significance as the Capri-Napoli Marathon celebrates its inclusion in the new Ultramarathon Swim Series . This series features elite events across the globe, from the Trans Tahoe Solo in the United States to the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean in Canada and the Travessia Lisboa Cascais in Portugal. From next year, this series will also award world titles for long-distance swimming, adding another layer of prestige to its roster.

The race will start from Marina Grande, from “Le Ondine beach club” by Gemma Rocchi, at 10 am. The finish line at the Molosiglio area promises to be a hub of excitement and celebration, with a special welcome village set up at the Circolo Canottieri Napoli.  

For more details and updates on the marathon, visit www.caprinapoli.com.

MARATONA DEL GOLFO CAPRI-NAPOLI TROFEO FARMACOSMO+
www.farmacosmojt
2023 WORLD ULTRAMARATON SWIM SERIES
Saturday 9th, September
58th edition-1954-2023: 70 years

STARTING LIST 2023
20 swimmers from 6 Countries (Arg-Bra-Can-Chi-Ita -Mkd)

MEN	COUNTRY	AGE
Evgenij Pop Acev	North Macedonia	35
Aquiles Balaudo	Argentina	29
Matias Diaz	Argentina	28
Matheus Evangelista	Brazil	30
Aleksander Ilievski	North Macedonia	33
William Racine	Canada	35
Santiago Petrucci	Argentina	23
Ignacio Valdes	Chile	16
Marco Inglima	Italy	25
Giuseppe Ilario	Italy	19
Niccolò Ricciardi	Italy	20
Federico Burdisso	Italy	21
Francesco Ghettini	Italy	26
Alessio Occhipinti	Italy	27
Mario Sanzullo	Italy	30

WOMEN	COUNTRY	AGE
Erika Yensen	Argentina	26
Vanesa Garcia	Argentina	39
Mayte Puca	Argentina	25
Mahina Valdivia	Chile	27
Elena Lionello	Italy	33

RACE DIRECTOR: Mr. Luciano Cotena (ITA)
FIRST REFEREE: Eleonora Marino (ITA)
SECOND REFEREE: Flora Rocca (ITA)
OFFICIAL DOCTOR: Dr. Cristiano D’Errico (ITA)