Dina Levacic aims to be first to swim from Vis to Split in 45 years

Dina Levacic (Photo: Facebook)

SPLIT, 22 July 2019 – 23-year-old Croatian swimmer Dina Levacic will attempt to swim 54 kilometres from the island of Vis to Split on Thursday, 25 July 2019.  

Dina, who is from Solin near Split, completed the Triple Crown in 2017 when she swam across the English Channel (34 km), between Catalina Island and the California mainland (32.5 km) and done the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (48.5 km).

Dina, who will take off from Vis on Thursday at 3 am, has attempted the swim before. Last year, after swimming more than 51 kilometres and battling extremely strong currents, she ended 3 km short of Split.

Dina after her Hawaii swim

“I am starting on Thursday early in the morning, and according to current forecasts, there could be a bit of wind at the start but nothing bad. I hope everything will go ok and at the end it will not be critical like last time. This year we have been more smarter in selecting the day when I will swim, taking into account the tide, currents and other weather conditions. I do not know why, but I believe this year will end well and that after 45 years Vis and Split will be connected by a swimmer,” Dina said at the press conference today announcing the swim. 

The last person to swim from Vis to Split was Croatian marathon swimmer Veljko Rogosic almost 45 years ago. A big crowd is expected at Split Riva on Thursday evening to welcome Dina in.