Dina Levačić heads to Australia for next big challenge
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Dina Levačić (Photo: Private album)
Croatian long-distance swimmer Dina Levačić is set for another impressive challenge as she prepares to swim two marathon routes in Australia.
The 28-year-old from Split announced on Tuesday that she will take part in the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim and the 34 km Derwent River swim in Tasmania.
Levačić will spend about a month in Australia, with the first swim scheduled for 22 February. Her second marathon will take place between 8 and 10 March, depending on weather conditions.
She is set to return to Split on 12 March.
The Rottnest Channel Swim, from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island, is one of the world’s most famous open-water swimming events.
(Photo: Private album)
This year, around 2,500 swimmers are expected to take part, either individually or in relay teams. Strong ocean currents and unpredictable conditions make this swim particularly demanding.
“Rottnest is unique because I won’t be swimming alone. It’s an organised event with thousands of competitors. It’s a legendary swim in Australia and something every open-water swimmer there dreams of completing at least once,” said Levačić.
Following Rottnest, Levačić will head to Tasmania for the Derwent River swim, where she will be accompanied by her father in a kayak.
“This river swim is one of the toughest marathon swims in Australia due to the changing water temperatures and varying currents. I have mostly swum in the sea, so this will be a new challenge,” she explained.
The two swims are part of the Australian Triple Crown, which Levačić aims to complete with a future marathon along the Sydney coastline. If successful, she will become the first Croatian to conquer these Australian routes.
Dina Levačić (Photo: Private album)
Levačić has already made history as the youngest woman to complete the Ocean’s Seven, a collection of the world’s toughest long-distance swims.
Outside of swimming, she balances a regular job while pursuing a PhD at the University of Split’s School of Medicine, focusing on the health and psychological aspects of marathon swimming.
