Former European champion and Olympic swimmer Gilles Rondy departed from Calvi this Sunday, August 23 at 10:06 AM. Objective: to reach Nice by swimming, without a wetsuit and without assistance, covering approximately 180 kilometers.
Gilles Rondy dove into the Mediterranean this Sunday morning. At 45 years old, the former Olympic swimmer is attempting to connect Calvi to Nice using only the strength of his arms. The route represents approximately 180 kilometers between Corsica and the Alpes-Maritimes.
The start was given at 10:06 AM from Calvi, amid encouragement from the public and his team. If weather conditions remain favorable, arrival is expected on the Opera beach in Nice on Tuesday, August 25 in the late afternoon.
The project goes beyond the sporting aspect. Gilles Rondy also wishes to use this crossing to draw attention to the Mediterranean. « I want to show its beauty. The more we love something, the more we try to protect it, that is the meaning of my approach. »
A crossing subject to strict rules
To connect Calvi to Nice, Gilles Rondy must comply with open water swimming rules. No wetsuit is planned. The swimmer moves with only a simple swimsuit and goggles.
The crossing must also take place without contact with a boat or person. « And besides, no assistance », the athlete specifies.
Supplies must therefore be provided without leaving the water. « For supplies, either they will give me the water bottle hand to hand, I am not allowed to touch the person’s hand, or with a pole, during the entire crossing, I will remain in the water, without contact with anything, the personnel on board or the boat. »
Three pairs take turns alongside the swimmer. Kayaks accompany the progression, including one dedicated to safety. However, no contact with the boats is permitted.
The weather is another difficulty. Forecasts have changed since the project’s preparation. « Two weeks ago, we thought we could do it in 45 hours because the weather was very good, the water was flat. Now, the problem is that we will have between 0.6 and 0.8 meter swells throughout. »
The expected crossing time is now around 60 hours. The Mediterranean’s temperature, with water at 25°C, remains favorable, but the effort must be sustained over time.
Preparation conducted in Martinique
Gilles Rondy already has experience with long-distance crossings. Between May 8 and 9, 2026, the swimmer covered 80 kilometers between La Trinité and Fort-de-France in Martinique.
The crossing lasted 22 hours and 7 minutes. The route was completed in a simple swimsuit and without assistance to rest. This experience served as preparation for the project between Calvi and Nice.
However, the third night is a source of concern for the swimmer. « Everything will be verifiable and, as in Martinique, the goal is to swim all the time. Even if I have to take naps, it will be in the water. What frightens me is the third night. That’s the one that often comes up in discussions I’ve had with long-distance trail runners. That’s when hallucinations and major failures can occur. However, what will be important is to maintain strength to cross the Ligurian current, oriented mainly east-west along the coast, just before arrival. »
During the first morning, Gilles Rondy swims at approximately 4 km/h. His staff notes « a very very good pace, the technique is very present, we have wonderful weather, the sea is very beautiful. »
A challenge that recalls that of Noam Yaron
Gilles Rondy’s project has similarities with that carried out by Swiss swimmer Noam Yaron in August 2025. Departing from Calvi on August 11, Noam Yaron had then attempted to reach Monaco by swimming. The route also represented 180 kilometers, with five days and five nights planned in the water.
The objective was both sporting and environmental. The crossing was notably meant to raise awareness about the protection of the Mediterranean and the Pelagos sanctuary.
However, the attempt did not reach Monaco. After covering approximately 180 kilometers, Noam Yaron had to be taken in charge only two kilometers from the finish line, before hospitalization due to his state of fatigue.
The parallel with Gilles Rondy’s challenge is therefore direct. Same starting point in Calvi and a comparable distance. Both projects are based on a Mediterranean crossing without leaving the water and combine the sporting objective with a message in favor of protecting the marine environment.
A backup route to aim for a world record
The weather led Gilles Rondy to prepare a second option. Plan B consists of following the east coast of Corsica, between Maccinaghju, in Cap-Corse, and Piantarellu, east of Bonifacio.
This route would also represent approximately 180 kilometers. A crossing completed in 60 hours would constitute a world record according to the stated objective.
The swimmer also wishes to share his adventure on social media. An embedded camera should allow progress to be followed. A live stream could also be offered during the crossing.
The former European champion, present at the 2008 Olympic Games, must now continue his route to Nice. Progress will depend on the weather, swell, and currents encountered in the Mediterranean.
If the planned schedule is respected, Gilles Rondy could reach Opera beach on Tuesday, August 25 in the late afternoon.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
