Monika Mittaz - Lake Neuchâtel

Yverdon-les-Bains to Marin-Epagnier
37.1 km (23.1 miles)
12 hours, 45 minutes on 17 July 2024
Observed and documented by Sabine Novello
First
Contents
- Swimmer
- Support Personnel
- Swim Parameters
- Swim Data & GPS
- Observer Log
- Swimmer Statement
- Photos
- Video
- Media
Swimmer
- Name: Monika Mittaz
- Gender: female
- Age on swim date: 41
- Nationality: Switzerland and United States
- Resides: Bouloz, Fribourg, Switzerland
Support Personnel
- Lynne Macgregor - feeder
- Alain Karmitz - boat support + kayak
- Olav Wicky - pilot
Observer
Sabine Novello
Support for multiple crossings of the width of Lake Geneva (St Gingolphe to Vevey). Member of Vevey Natation and masters swimmer for over 10 years; involved in organization and volunteer for the Coupe Polaire, a cold water competition. Swim teacher for the Vevey Natation Riviera swimming school. She holds a pool-plus certificate as well as a cold water experience certificate provided by the Société Intérnationale du Sauvetage du Léman.
Escort Vessel
Name | Type | Port |
---|---|---|
Flamingo | Bayliner Ciera | Cudregin, Vaud, Switzerland |
Swim Parameters
- Category: Solo, nonstop, unassisted.
- Rules: MSF Rules of Marathon Swimming, without exception or modification.
- Equipment used: Textile swimsuit (TYR), cap, goggles, earplugs.
Route Definition
- Body of Water: Lake Neuchâtel
- Route Type: one-way
- Start Location: Plage d’Yverdon-Les-Bain (46.785029, 6.652261)
- Finish Location: Plage de La Tène (47.0048170940033, 7.019896473317971)
- Minimum Route Distance: 37.1 km (23.1 miles) (map)
History
Two men have swum a route between Yverdon-les-Bains and Saint-Blaise (unsure of direction) with wetsuits. This includes Noam Yaron and Romano Mombelli.
Swim Data
- Start: 17 July 2024, 04:14:00 (Central European Summer Time, Europe/Zurich, UTC2).
- Finish: 17 July 2024, 16:59:18
- Elapsed: 12 hours, 45 minutes, 18 seconds.
Summary of Conditions
Feature | Min | Max |
---|---|---|
Water Temp (C) | 20.3 | 23.9 |
Air Temp (C) | 16.2 | 30.5 |
Wind (m/s) | 0 | 3.8 |
GPS Track
Trackpoint frequency: 20 minutes. Download raw data (CSV).
Speed Plot
Nutrition
- 1st feed after 1 hour of elapsed time, then every half hour
- Alternate between two drinks:
- Sponser Long Energy 1x / hour (500ml)
- Sponser Isotonic Drink 1x/hour (500ml)
- Solid feed 1x/hour (e.g. ½ banana, or 100g baby compote)
- Took 2 gels with caffeine during the swim
Observer Log
Swimmer Statement
by Monika Mittaz
In 2023 I participated in a cross-width swim of Lake Neuchâtel with some friends. We swam as a pod and were matched with a boat captain to escort us. After completing the 6k swim, he proposed to take us out in the future with our families for a day out on the lake or perhaps another swim challenge. I then asked him, “How about the length of the lake?” And he immediately replied “Why not.” This is how a friendly chat turned into a project.
I had never done a swim this length and knew it was a big one for me. I was coming off an English Channel relay in summer of 2023 and never really stopped training for this swim. I slowly built up my volume but also know that I cannot go over a certain weekly total (15-25k) or I will injure myself. I also did Pilates, some cross training, physiotherapy for rotator cuffs, and regular massage. I trained to get down around 450 ml in under 15 seconds. This year due to relentless poor weather conditions, I was not able to get much open water training in. As I have a young son, I am also not comfortable yet leaving for a training camp. I was patient and forgiving when life came in the way of meeting the number on my training plan. I arrived at 86% of what I had planned, which I accepted fully. Furthermore, I wanted to make this swim something bigger than a personal swim goal. I fundraised over 5000 CHF for Léman hope a local Swiss association taking out children in remission on overnight sailing excursions to rebuild confidence. I was able to attract sponsorship and private donations as well to meet this goal shortly after I completed the swim.
I got to the start of the swim rested and uninjured, albeit super nervous for days leading up to the start day. The swim went well. I felt strong physically and mentally throughout with no major doubts or dark periods. Feeds went very smoothly and I was able to get down liquids quickly and get right back into my rhythm. The wind did pick up during the swim and my speed dropped significantly. We are still trying to understand why exactly. Was it just the wind? A current? Or simply me slowly with the accumulation of fatigue? I cannot be sure.
Lessons learned during the swim: do not try anything new on the day of. Always test in practice (e.g. peanut butter sandwich was not working, powdered ibuprofen burned my mouth and was not possible to get down).
Photos
Click to enlarge.