A huge success was achieved by the 16th Winter Crossing of the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club, with the historic race being sold out, gathering 500 winter swimmers!
On Sunday, November 24th, the heart of the Athenian Riviera was filled with swimming enthusiasts in the unique open celebration for the sea. The people responded with great enthusiasm to the call of N.O.V. to the historic event, which since 2002, «closes» the season of open water races.
The Winter Crossing of N.O.B. with Gold Sponsor Protergia, brought together Olympians, champions and amateur swimmers with the sole aim to swim and spread the message of sport, activation and a healthy lifestyle. With this vision, the Crossing was started by a group of Club Members in 2002 with Lila Kolokotronis as the pioneer, in whose honour this year's race was held. Besides, the aim of the Winter Crossing is perfectly in line with the statutes of the N.O.V., which concerns the dissemination of nautical sports and the attraction of people to water sports.
The swimmers chose one of the three alternative routes at 750, 1,500 and 3,000 meters, with or without a swimsuit, within the Vouliagmeni Bay. For their safety in the water, 25 experienced Lifeguard Hellas lifeguards in the Group's floating equipment took care of their safety.
The Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis welcomed the event stating: «... For sixteen consecutive years, the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club has managed to establish the event as an institution in the consciousness of the winter swimmer and year after year to consolidate its size and value. The numbers speak for themselves. When the number of participants exceeds 500 swimmers, exceeding all expectations, then we are sure that the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club is doing an excellent job and deserves congratulations...».
The Mayor of the Municipality of Vari Voula Vouliagmeni Mr. Gregory Konstantellos said.«High level sporting events such as the 16th Winter Crossing of the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club honor our city and the Municipality of Vari Voula Vouliagmeni will stand by every such initiative.
Congratulations to the organizers for the excellent event and their general contribution to the sport of our city.»
The President of the Vouliagmeni Yacht Club Mrs. Stella Lazarou said: «16st It's time for the now historic Winter Crossing of the N.O.B. and I see with emotion 500 of our fellow human beings, accomplished athletes who have reached Olympic level, champions and amateur swimmers swimming together in this great celebration of mass sport in beautiful Vouliagmeni. I thank everyone who responded to the Club's call for sport, I thank our sponsors who supported us with confidence and I wish you all the best for next year!»
The proceeds of the Crossing will be used to support the aims of the non-profit naval sports association N.O.V., and specifically its Sports Schools, which promote the sport of wet athletics to children.
MUSIC 89.2 set the musical tone for the great celebration of swimming with the multi-talented radio producer Evangelia Tsiorlis broadcasting live from the Club.
Gold sponsor of the 16th Winter Crossing was Protergia, the largest private energy company in Greece. Protergia is the largest private electricity producer and the largest private electricity and gas provider in Greece, offering modern and reliable services to over 170,000 businesses, professionals and households throughout the country. At the Diablou, Protergia distributed «energy» to the participants by offering energy-boosting snacks, gave the opportunity to those who wanted to be photographed with special props and receive their photos, while in the big draw held at its booth, it raffled an electric scooter.
At the great celebration of the N.O.B., the swimmers had the opportunity to enjoy delicious food from the sponsors and supporters of the Crossing. The Silver Sponsor, the Hellenic Organisation of Aquaculture Producers (EL.O.P.Y.), was there with its fish truck Fish from Greece to «warm up» the swimmers with a delicious fish soup with fresh, Greek fish from fish farming, labelled Fish From Greece. Fish is, after all, an excellent source of protein, rich in omega-3 fats, minerals and trace elements and is associated with good health, well-being and longevity.
Melissa, a supporter of Diaplus, treated all the athletes to delicious pasta with her food truck «Melissa On the Road», giving them the energy they need after the race. The athletes sampled the new Melissa High Protein pasta with 50% more protein. Because Melissa knows that in sports, we're pasta makers too!
«Vikos», a supporter of the Crossing, took care of the hydration of the swimmers by offering the natural mineral water «Vikos», which has been recognized as a natural mineral water suitable for a diet low in sodium, low in salts and high in calcium, while contributing to the good functioning of the body. Participants also enjoyed the natural mineral soft drinks «Vikos» which are the only ones with natural mineral water and Greek fruit juices.
Chiquita, the athletes' favourite banana, was the official fruit of the 16th edition of the competition.th Vouliagmeni crossing distributing premium Chiquita bananas to the swimmers. At the same time, for the required dose of sweetness, Artopolis sweetened the participants with fresh treats, such as kourabies, melomakarona and delicious sweets.
Cenegeins, the #1 clinical prevention & anti-aging company in America, participated in the 16th Winter Crossing. On the day of the Crossing, Cenegeincs made a special offer on Reviv wellness energy serums, which are based on medical protocols and are an innovative treatment for rapid hydration and restoration of the body from jet lag, hangover or lack of energy.
The VIOTRICS Group provided the medical coverage of the race, with a fully equipped ambulance and medical staff. As a supporter of the Crossing, it offered special pre-race check-up packages to all participants, and raffled off many rich prizes.
Eurobank's Personal Banking, a service that offers special privileges, exclusive and high quality banking services to its customers, supported the race and the special athletes of the Crossing.
Garmin Greece was a supporter of the historic race of Vouliagmeni, giving the participants the opportunity to get to know the new innovative Smartwatch Swim2. It is the ultimate training tool for swimmers, measuring pulse from the wrist in the water, with a profile for pool and open sea and recording distance and pace in the «hands». 2 big lucky swimmers won a Swim2 watch each in the big draw of the Crossing.
The insurance brokerage company Freedom (freedom.com.gr), aiming to offer special insurance services from special people to special people, offered the insurance coverage of the event.
Herbalife Nutrition, supporter of the Crossing and Official Nutrition Supporter of the Greek Olympic Team, distributed healthy protein bars to the swimmers, taking care of their recovery and recovery.
500 winter swimmers responded to the call of N.O.V. - Photo credit wefit.gr
500 winter swimmers responded to the call of N.O.V. - Photo credit Pelagia Karanikola
500 winter swimmers responded to the call of N.O.V. - Photo credit Nikos Karanikolas
500 winter swimmers responded to the call of N.O.V. - Photo credit Nikos Karanikolas
500 winter swimmers responded to the call of N.O.V. - Photo credit Nikos Karanikolas
ELOPY Silver sponsor of the Crossing gave the participants a delicious fish soup made of Greek fish.
The Mayor of Vari Voula Vouliagmeni Mr. Grigoris Konstantellos at the awards ceremony
The President of N.O.B. Mrs. Stella Lazarou awards an honorary cup to the team «Lila K. Swimming Team» in honour of Lila Kolokotronis, the pioneer of the Winter Crossing.
A big lucky winner won an electric scooter from Protergia, Gold Sponsor of the Crossing.
The Music 89.2 with Evangelia Tsiorlis made Live broadcast from the Group.
The Melissa, a supporter of the Crossing bought spaghetti High protein swimmers.
2 lucky swimmers won the Smart Watch SWIM2 of Garmin, a supporter of the Crossing
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