I spent the months of January and February training in Dominica, where the perfect conditions left me wanting to return. When it was announced that the Vertical Blue would not take place this year, many of the top athletes who usually participate decided to sign up for this race organized by Deep Dominica. And so, after winning two golds in the Nice Abyss Contes in June, I left for Dominica.In addition to the three world record attempts by Davide Carrera, Alessia Zecchini and Alenka Artnik, many other athletes made notable progress during the month of training leading up to the race, making it exciting and truly interesting. Among the women, the American Enchante Gallardo proved tenacious in all disciplines, taking first place overall and four continental records. Zecchini showed maturity and resilience: after the failed record attempts by herself and her opponent Alenka, she was able to change strategy, keeping her energy for the world championship and opting for a dive that she herself defined as "simple", to 115 meters in monofin, which allowed her to earn first place CWT.Personally, I increased my quotas to 95 meters with monofin and 87 meters with fins, also finding a new passion for breaststroke.The Master M1 Helena Bourdillon took third place overall (behind me) and a world record at CNF. Special mention to the American Cherlyn Yuan, who in the month before the race increased her personal best by 26 metres, reaching 66 meters in monofin. Among the men, William Trubridge, recovering from ciguatera intoxication, was unable to reach his maximum quotas, but still took victory in the overall. The Tunisian Walid Boudhiaf, in the month before the race, had reached the incredible altitude of 130 meters in monofin in the Blue Hole of the Bahamas, but in Dominica he was unable to maintain his form, settling for second place overall. Belgian Sacha Porte kept us in suspense with a performance at 107 meters in the race, improving his personal best by 12 meters during training and taking third place overall. Special mention to Sebastian Lira, who achieved two continental records with fins, at 107 and 110 meters and attempted 117 meters in monofin, stopping at 113. Among the M2 Masters, David Mellor, recovering from a decompression accident during the race in Dominica in April, he returned to competition and achieved two world records.As for me, my next stops will be the Italian Championships on 7 and 8 September, where I hope to achieve a world record and my third call-up to the World Championships with the Italian national team in Kalamata, from 3 to 13 October.Finally, I wanted to underline that obtaining second place overall behind the American Enchante Gallardo in the race of the year was a great satisfaction, especially after realizing that I had reached my peak the week before the competition and that the last days were exhausting. However, I continued to move forward. The dive to 92 meters gave me second place in monofin behind Alessia, while the bronze medal in CWTB fins was the icing on the cake. In short, an incredible experience. I did all the dives before the competition solely for my own personal satisfaction, achieving a peak at 95 meters with the monofin. I am aware that races can always go better, but in the end I have the awareness of having given my best in that precise moment. And that's why I'm really satisfied.

Until next time!

Foto Woj Dop