USEFUL INFORMATION

Responsibility
Appointed Organizational Manager: Swimming Travel – ASD Nuotando con Amore in collaboration with: ASD Ulysse.

Sports Promotion Body
Libertas (all participants will be registered with this sports promotion body).

RACE

The swim crossing is TIMED and includes separate categories based on the use of a neoprene wetsuit.

Individual Category

• Athletes may freely choose whether or not to wear a neoprene wetsuit.
• Athletes wearing a wetsuit will be classified in the “wetsuit category”.
• Athletes swimming without a wetsuit will compete in the “non-wetsuit (skins) category”.

Relay Category

• For relays, the category is determined by the equipment worn by the team members.
• If even one swimmer in the relay wears a neoprene wetsuit, the entire team will be classified as a “wetsuit relay”.
• Only relays in which all swimmers compete without a wetsuit will be classified as a “non-wetsuit (skins) relay”.

⚠️ Compliance with this rule will be checked and confirmed before the start of the event.

THE EVENT

The Vulcano–Milazzo swim crossing, approximately 23 km, takes place in one of the most striking settings of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The route begins on Vulcano Island, renowned for its crater, fumaroles, and natural thermal waters, and finishes in Milazzo, a historic town dominated by its medieval castle and considered the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. This crossing combines volcanic landscapes, open sea conditions, and breathtaking views of the Sicilian coastline.

The event can be completed in two formats: Individual and Relay.

• Individual format The athlete swims the entire 23 km route independently, accompanied by their assigned support boat.
• Relay format The team may include up to 5 swimmers, sharing the same support boat and managing their water exchanges autonomously. All participants must comply with the sections Participation Rules and Safety and Decisions.

Each registered participant will benefit from the services included in the event package, which cover:

• A dedicated support boat with pilot, fuel, and safety assistant.
• Additional safety boats with a first-aid medical team on board.
• Manual timing of the event.
• Certificate of participation.
• Official event merchandise.
• Presence of a professional Photographer documenting key moments of the crossing.

The cost for the relay format will be divided equally among all team members.
Due to potential adverse sea and weather conditions, participants are strongly advised to plan travel arrangements allowing for the possibility of a 1-day postponement of the scheduled event date.

THE PROGRAM

The swim crossing is scheduled for 20 June 2026. However, due to possible adverse sea and weather conditions, participants are advised to plan their travel with the possibility of a postponement to 21 June 2026. In the days immediately preceding the event, athletes will remain in constant contact with the organizing team and will be promptly informed of any updates or changes.

Below is the official schedule:

19 June 2026
16:00 Press Conference.
16:30 Mandatory Technical Briefing.

20 June 2026
06:00 Check-in and Athlete Marking (Milazzo) → Boat transfer to Vulcano.
08:00 Official Start of the Swim Race from Vulcano to Milazzo.
18:00 Expected arrival window.

21 June 2026
Flexibility Day.
To be used exclusively in case of postponement due to sea and weather conditions.

PARTICIPATION RULES

Individual Crossing (1 athlete)

The athlete may not climb onto the support boat nor hold onto it at any time during the entire crossing. One seat on board will be reserved for the athlete’s coach or assistant.

Relay Crossing (2 to 5 athletes)

Each relay team must appoint a team captain, responsible for coordinating the group. The order and frequency of swimmer changes are entirely at the team’s discretion and may be modified at any time.
Every team member must cover at least one segment of the course (no minimum distance or time required). All exchanges must occur exclusively in open water, without climbing onto or touching the support boat.
Prohibition of Contact with the Boat: In relay teams as well, any voluntary or involuntary contact with the boat results in the immediate termination of that swimmer’s segment. In such a case, another team member must enter the water and resume the swim from the exact point where the previous swimmer stopped.

Mandatory Certifications

All athletes—both individual and relay participants—must hold a valid competitive medical certificate for swimming or triathlon, in addition to the required Libertas membership (included in the registration).

Meeting place

The start will take place on Vulcano Island, with an organized transfer from the port of Milazzo to Vulcano.
06:00 – Check-in and athlete marking in Milazzo, followed by boat transfer to Vulcano for the swim start.

Useful Tips

• Athletes should train adequately both in the pool and in open water, being able to swim continuously for 60–70 minutes.
• A light breakfast is recommended, rich in carbohydrates and low in fats; no alcohol should be consumed before the race. Start at a moderate pace and find your natural breathing rhythm before increasing your speed.
• Any request for assistance in the water must be directed to the nearest safety boat by raising one arm straight up.
• The organizers accept no responsibility for theft or loss of valuables, wallets, watches, clothing, or other personal items.
• Each athlete/companion must prepare a thermal bag containing everything needed for hydration and nutrition during the crossing, in addition to the light refreshment provided by the organization. It is recommended to prioritize liquids and light, energy-rich snacks.
• Athletes are advised to bring, in addition to a towel and swimming gear, a sweatshirt, a spare T-shirt, and a windproof jacket.

Race Pack

• Event Swim Cap.
• Partner Event Gadgets.
• Certificate of Participation.

Competition Regulations

Participation in the event implies full acceptance of the competition regulations, including FINA and FIN rules. By registering, participants release Swimming Travel from any liability related to their participation in the event. Furthermore, each athlete consents to the use of their photographic and video images for promotional purposes related to the event. It is essential that every athlete is registered with a recognized sports federation such as FIN or FITRI. If a participant is not already registered, Swimming Travel will provide the necessary membership through the Libertas sports promotion body. Full insurance coverage is guaranteed for all participants for the entire duration of the event. Mandatory Use of an Individual Safety Buoy.

Judges and Timing

A jury service will be provided. The event will feature manual timekeeping.

Rankings

TIMED RACE (single start):
Overall individual ranking.
Relay team ranking.

INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPTS (separate starts):
An individual attempt may be assisted by official FICR timekeeping upon explicit request from the swimmer (costs to be paid by the athlete).

Security and Decisions

Swimming Travel, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, holds full authority to make all decisions concerning the safety of the event. This includes the right to cancel or suspend the event at any time for safety reasons. Such decisions are final and binding for all participants. Any decisions communicated by the crew to the coach and/or the relay team captain regarding the termination of the race are unquestionable. Failure by the athlete(s) to comply will result in intervention by the designated authorities.

Results

The official competition results will be announced and published on the website www.swimmingtravel.com.

BOOKING METHOD

Registration Period: Registrations are open until 20 February 2026, or until the maximum limit of 60 swimmers is reached. Early registration is strongly recommended to secure a place in this prestigious swim crossing.

Registration Website: To complete the registration, simply visit www.swimmingtravel.com where all required information and forms are available.

Booking Fee and Final Payment: Booking Fee: €200 per person, to be paid by 20 February 2026. Final Payment: to be completed by 5 May 2026. Payments may be made via bank transfer or online platforms (PayPal / Stripe). All payment details and instructions are provided directly in the registration form.

The final feasibility of the event will be assessed and, if confirmed, officially communicated within the first half of April.

Cancellation Policy: As refund policies are not available, in case of inability to participate it is the athlete’s responsibility to find a replacement who will take over their registration.