“Two hours from the finish, I knew I had won and I had given my maximum to create a gap between myself and the other swimmers; now I enjoy the first place in the overall rankings of the Grand Prix,” the Argentine giant says.

Third place was awarded to home favourite Andrea Volpini, who is a true Capri-Napoli lover.

“After three hours and a half, four of us detached from the swimmers’ pack for the decisive run – says the Italian bronze-medallist –. After a while, I was a few meters away from my sprint fellows.”         

“I was advised by the members of my staff, especially Napoli-native coach Peppe D’Angelo, to follow the trajectory that would allow me to climb the podium. It is a good result, given the sea conditions in the second part of the race, which certainly did not help,” adds Volpini.

Much more uncertain was the women’s finish, which saw three athletes contending for victory until the last meters. Alessandra Romiti eventually won the race, repeating her 2007 feat and becoming the first Italina to win two Capri-Napoli editions.

There was nothing left to do for the two other ‘sprinters’ in the first hour, Pilar Geijo (ARG) and Esther Nunez (ESP), who placed second and third respectively, dominated by the azzurra long-distance swimmer.

“I used my legs, something I usually don’t do – says the winner with a smile –. It was my weapon to win the sprint. Before the start, I received a sign. A ladybug settled on my hand; fate was on my side.”