Princess Charlene of Monaco has completed “The Crossing” water bike challenge across the Mediterranean. The two teams travelled from Calvi to Monaco to raise awareness for the prevention of drowning programmes of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. This was the third edition of the bike challenge.
She was on Team Serenity alongside David Tanner, Brandon Green and Mathew Bennett. They completed against Team Notorious which consisted of her brother, Gareth Wittstock (who serves as General Secretary of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation), Kevin Crovetto, Jerome Fernandez, and Guido Belinskis.
MMA star Conor McGregor was due to be on Team Notorious but was unable to participate due to being arrested after allegations of indecent exposure and attempted sexual assault. He was replaced by Guido Belinskis.
The 180-kilometre race was able to be followed live online, and supporters can still watch the race here. In total, “The Crossing” raised €358,790 to be invested in Princess’s foundation’s programmes for water safety.
Her Serene Highness said of the importance of water safety and the water bike challenge: “Since my youngest age and throughout my life as an athlete, I have always been aware of the dangers of water.
“In creating my foundation in 2012, my primary objective was to save lives by fighting against drowning in the world. The water bike race between Calvi and Monaco on 12-13 September, beyond the sporting challenge it represents, will be a formidable opportunity to raise public awareness about water safety and to promote the Learn to Swim and Water Safety programmes.”
The two teams were at sea for close to 24 hours on 12 and 13 September, with Princess Charlene’s team coming out victorious after completing the race in 22 hours and 33 minutes. Team Serenity crossed the finish line 14 minutes ahead of Team Notorious.
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation said on Instagram after the race: “This unique sporting challenge and human adventure was an opportunity to, once again, promote the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s “Learn to Swim” and “Water Safety” programmes.”
When the Princess of Monaco arrived in Monaco after the challenge, she was greeted by her husband, Prince Albert II and their five-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
The race was sponsored by Yachting Partners International, Reach Food Service, Richard Mille, G&M Design, Activ5, Adamas Sports, Metabolic Balance, Monaco Asset Management, Appleton Capital and Balkin Real Estate Managements Monaco. Race partners included the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Fendi, Brooks Brothers, and Nike Monte-Carlo, among others.
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was founded in 2012, and it has helped 730,000 people, most of whom were children, in more than 34 countries. Just last year, over 60,000 people learned about water safety and learned how to swim.
Read more about the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation here.
