[elbaman]

dear All

thak you Hyppo for the note about this "Problem"

Let's start with a good news: in Elbaman we have always used Neo, allowed. Water temperature is usually 19-21°C in late September and you can swim without neo and no Problem, but it's allowed and 99% of competitors use it.

Yes the bad News is that actually we are living in Italy the hottest summer of maybe last 100years. Worse than 2003 summer.
I do not live in Elba, but 500km Northern near Como Lake (swiss border) and in the last 3 weeks temperature during the day is always over 35-36°C and in the night 22-24°C and humid. That is AWFUL. I have done a swim in the lake 4 days ago and the water was HOT I think more than 25/26°C.

BUT septmber is far, thinks can Change a lot and, in caso of doubt (temperature near the Limit), Marshals are used to allow Neo for safety.

I want also to reassure everyone about 2 Facts that let the swim in Elba be easy and safe:
- depth of the water is low, Maximum 4-5meters in the farest Point of the bay and you can see the bottom quite always. Usually about first 50-80m of the lap (and also last) you can swim/walk with water around 80-100cm.
- we have plenty of kayak and boat and rescue Service ppl

I have swam in many different places during my almost 19years of races and I Need to be franck: Elbaman swim course is one of the easyest and safe and nice, and not because I organize the race.
One of the only one swim even better I have done was in Ironman Taiwan last April, similar in a quiet bay.

don't worry, if you Train in a lake you will feel perfect in Elba !

Marco