Miglio e Mezzo Miglio di Varigotti

The water here carries a weight that reaches far beyond the surface. Swimming just off the coast of Varigotti, your stroke is shadowed by the silent presence of an island that, according to local tradition, served as a divine vessel. Legend tells that the landmass arrived here by carrying Saint Eugenius and Saint Vendemialis as they escaped the Vandal persecutions, with the Bishop of Carthage eventually settling on the island until his death. As you navigate the course of the Miglio e Mezzo Miglio di Varigotti, you are essentially tracing the same sea lanes that brought history to these shores.

Historical currents and ruins

Beneath the calm of the morning, the seabed remains a repository of antiquity. Excavations in the southern zones have unearthed Middle Eastern amphorae, evidence of a monastic complex that stood here as early as 992. The site’s significance was cemented centuries earlier; in 1162, Pope Alexander III stopped here during his exile in France, choosing this secluded spot to celebrate a solemn Easter mass within the island's small abbey. For those competing in the 926-meter distance on August 2nd, the race is a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between open water swimming and the remnants of a 4th-century paleochristian church, now resting submerged in the quiet deep.

Navigating the Ligurian coast

The local environment demands a sharp eye for the surroundings. While you push through the water, the welded iron sculpture of 'Il Pifferaio' stands watch on the western tip of the island, a 1958 installation depicting a clarinet player forever calling out to a stylized goat on the mainland. The race, organized by Savona Triathlon, offers a distinct challenge for those looking to test their endurance in the Ligurian sea. If you are seeking a longer commitment in these waters, you might consider the I'm Ponente Bergeggi-Spotorno held earlier in the season. Whether you are navigating the rocky channels of the 'Canalone'—where you might spot a moray eel or a lobster—or simply keeping rhythm with the tides, the experience is defined by the depth of the history beneath you.