About the author:

Tejvan organises short-distance running and cycling races for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team in his home city of Oxford. He is also a very good cyclist, having won the National hill climb championships in 2013 and finished 3rd in the National 100 Mile Time Trials in 2014.

On the 27th of July 2013, Adriano Passini completed the 44th successful English Channel crossing by a member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon in a time of 11 hours 10 minutes. It was the first successful crossing by a Brazilian member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team.

Adriano Passini (center) with boat pilot Chris Osmond and helper Karteek Clarke (10x EC swimmer)

Adriano was supported by a dedicated and experienced boat pilot (Chris Osmond on Seafarer II, left) and his two main helpers Ashirvad Zaiantchick and Karteek Clarke (a veteran of 10 channel crossings himself, right)

Adriano Passini from Brazil swimming the English Channel, August 2013

Adriano began his swim at 2h37min, reaching the French coast 11h10min later, on the beach of Wissant Bay.

Unofficial success on 27 July: 1-way solo Adriano Passini, time 11:10, pilot Chris Osmond. http://t.co/EXwIGLi6ur

— CS&PF (@csandpf) July 28, 2013

- Adriano's longer story by his helper and Channel veteran Karteek Clarke on Karteek's blog: "Determination Wins the Day"

- List of complete EC swims by members of the International Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team

 

From Adriano's Press Release:

Conquest of the English Channel by Brazilian Adriano Passini

Dover / Sao Paulo

On Saturday, 27th of July 2013, Adriano Passini from Sao Paulo completed the 20th English Channel crossing by a Brazilian swimmer, in a time of 11 hours 10 minutes. It was the first successful crossing by a Brazilian member of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, his swimming club, that also currently holds the most crossings by any team, 43 (by 27 individual swimmers).

The distance of the crossing from Dover to France is 21miles/33km in a straight line, but with wind and water currents this distance can be largely increased (see map). He finished in 11h10min23s, which is this year’s fastest time so far.

Adriano began his swim in the very early hours of Saturday morning at 02:37 from Samphire Hoe at the western end of famous Shakespeare Beach. Conditions proved to be a mixture of relatively "warm" sea temperatures, rain, mist and thunderstorms, with little wind. Adriano had to also contend with jellyfish and large sea vessels at close distance. However, as he approached the French coast, weather conditions became favourable with the sun coming out.

Adriano was supported by a dedicated and experienced pilot boat (Seafarer II with Chris Osmond) and his two main helpers, Ashirvad Zaiantchick from Brasil and Karteek Clarke from Edingburgh (a veteran of 10 channel crossings himself - who now feels inspired to maybe do it again...). His helpers proudly mentioned that Adriano never complained, but cheerfully stuck to the task in hand.

Adriano has been dreaming of achieving this swim for the past couple of years. Recently, he has completed a few long swims in preparation. This included the Zurich Lake Self-Transcendence Marathon Swim in August 2012, a 26km race from Rapperswil to Zurich. He trained at night, after a regular working hours, covering between 5 and 8 km everyday, with several longer swims in the sea, accompanied by his father in a small boat.

From the founder of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team:

When we are inspired, we try to swim the English Channel. When we are inspired, we go from one country to another country to inspire people and to be inspired by them. I feel that when we inspire humanity, we automatically become good citizens of the world. This is my philosophy.” [2] - Sri Chinmoy, Mystic Journey in the Weightlifting World

Cap Griz Nez,  France in Sight - Adriano Passini English Channel Crossing 2013

Congratulations Banner for Adriano at Varne Ridge Caravan Park

Congratulations Banner at Varne Ridge Caravan Park

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The swim course - courtesy Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF)

- Adriano's longer story by his helper and Channel veteran Karteek Clarke on Karteek's blog: "Determination Wins the Day"

 

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