Carolina Di Bonaventura, exponent of the Nueva Esparta state, led the female line of the traditional crossing.
The tachirense Diego Vera and Carolina Di Bonaventura, from Nueva Esparta, were the absolute winners of the XXX edition of the Swim of the Orinoco and Caroní rivers.
After two years of suspension of the traditional competition due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Malecón de San Félix returned to a full house this Sunday, April 24.
After 6:00 in the morning, the participating athletes boarded the barge María Eugenia, to leave for the Barrancos de Fajardo to start the competition.
The start took place at approximately 7:30 in the morning, when 187 competitors jumped into the water to swim to Ciudad Guayana.
Vera, 25 years old, completed the 3.1-kilometer route in a time of 39.54 minutes.
“It is a very beautiful competition because it is different from many scenarios, a current is expressed that deceives you, the visualization with the sun, it is a unique scenario,” he said.
The young tachirense was the absolute leader of the competition in 2013, when he was measured as an exponent of the youth category, with just 16 years of age.
After that triumph, he had not returned to Ciudad Guayana to meet international events as part of the last two Olympic cycles.
“This year I had the opportunity and I didn’t want to miss it. Winning it once more is something we will remember. We will come once more the other year if God wants”, expressed Vera.
Argentine escorts
The men’s podium was completed by Argentines Nicolás Monutti and Federico Nieto, in second and third place.
“(The competition) Really pretty, I loved the river (…) It helped me to follow the first one who knows the river quite well, I liked the experience of having swum in a river like this,” said Monutti, 19 years old.
For his part, Nieto pointed out that the Paso a Nado is a very tough competition and it is the first time they did the same in the country. “We gave the best and we enjoyed it, great, very nice, all beautiful, I’m very happy,” added the 22-year-old athlete.
Omar Goudett, president of the Bolívar State Sports Institute (Idebol), declared that the return of Paso a Nado with its thirtieth edition as an emblematic event is a pride.
Back
Carolina Di Bonaventura, exponent of the state of Nueva Esparta, climbed to the top of the podium in the women’s category following reaching the finish line in a time of one hour, four minutes and 13 seconds.
The 53-year-old swimmer reported that she has crossed the Orinoco and Caroní rivers around 15 times, however, she revealed that this year there were much fewer competitors and changes in the route.
“What I liked the most is that they reorganized it. We started with few but we will be back. As long as the body can, I will keep coming, I enjoy this competition a lot, ”she commented.
Di Bonaventura was escorted by María García, 18; and Anarella de Jesus; 19 years old, both from Bolívar state.
“It is quite an extraordinary experience, it is something that cannot be expressed in words. You have to be there in the river to be able to perceive all those sensations, it is something difficult but exciting”, García confessed.
The Guyanese Ivanosky Marichal was the winner in the category of athletes with disabilities. The swimmer completed the crossing in one hour, 31 minutes and 41 seconds.
For the family
Tito Oviedo, mayor of the Caroní municipality, reported that maintenance and recovery work was carried out on the Malecón de San Félix to host the traditional event.
“We have done it jointly to the satisfaction of the Guyanese family. This is a national event that has acquired international stature”, she pointed out.
In addition to crossing the Orinoco and Caroní rivers, event attendees were able to enjoy a sand volleyball tournament and a parrot competition.
“To show what we Guyanese are, that we can do great things, great events that are to be enjoyed, the most beautiful thing we have, which is our people and our land,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ángel Marcano, governor of Bolívar state, indicated that this April 24 is a holiday for which the Guyanese prepare week following week.
Marcano stressed that the return of Paso a Nado confirms the beginning of the normalization of activities, following two years of confinement due to covid-19.
Oviedo assured that “a deeper intervention” is being planned on the Malecón de San Félix. And from now on he will begin the preparation for the XXXI edition of Paso a Nado, in conjunction with the Government of Bolívar state.
Security
Jimmy Martínez, director of Citizen Security of the Mayor’s Office of Caroní, highlighted that 350 prevention officials from the Bolivarian National Guard, Municipal Firefighters, Bolivarian National Police and Caroní Municipal Police were deployed; with rescue groups. In addition to another 50 officials in perimeter security.
#24A They arrive Ángel Marcano, Governor of Bolívar state; and Tito Oviedo, mayor of the Caroní municipality; who will be at the exit from the Barrancos de Fajardo. @DiarioPrimicia pic.twitter.com/EPOVYJJq19
— Marianny Aponte S. (@MaryAponte) April 24, 2022
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