On December 21st I had the opportunity of meeting the Brazilian Consul at the Consulate General of Brazil for the San Francisco Branch. (http://www.brazilsf.org/indexE.htm)
The main reason of my visit was to officially thanks the Confedaracao Brasileira de Desportos Aquaticos,(http://www.cbda.org.br/canal-cbda/links-id-3604), for sending me the official Brazilian Swim Team uniform so I could proudly wear it in England/France during my Solo Channel Crossing Trip, representing Brasil.
It was a dream coming true representing Brasil with the Brazilian colors and the Brazilian Flag in Open Arms.
Follow below the letter I sent to the consulate:
December 21, 2010
Vossa Excelência
Consulado Geral do Brasil
300 Montgomery Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
Dear Vossa Excelência,
On 19 July 2010, I swam 21 miles across the English Channel, from Dover to Calais in just a swim suit, cap and goggles (no wet suit, per official rules). This swim is considered the Mt. Everest of open-water swimming, and only about 1,200 people in history have successfully completed it. I proudly represented Brazil with the Brazilian flag in open arms, becoming only the 16th Brazilian to conquer this major venue of open cold water. In September, two more Brazilians swam the English Channel (including, to my knowledge, the very first paralympic Brazilian, an almost unimaginable feat), bringing the total number of Brazilians to 18.
I was inspired by the Brazilian swimmers who have been conquering this challenging body of water since 1959, when Abilio Couto became the first Brazilian to swim it in 12:49 hours. Below is a list of all the Brazilian swimmers who have successfully crossed the English Channel to date (2010 is the first time more than one Brazilian did it):
1. 1959 Abilio Couto
2. 1979 Kay France
3. 1989 Rogerio Lobo
4. 1993 Ana do Amaral Mesquita
5. 1994 Jose Rodini
6. 1995 Dailza Damas Ribeiro
7. 1996 Igor de Souza
8. 1997 Igor de Souza (double crossing)
9. 1998 Renata Agondi (em memoria)
10. 2001 Christiane Fanzeres
11. 2003 Percival Milan
12. 2004 Marcelo Lopes
13. 2006 Marta Mitsui Izo
14. 2007 Paulo Maia
15. 2009 Luciana Mesquita
16. 2010 Edison Peinado Jr. (myself) – TIME: 12:29
17. 2010 Marcello Collet (paralympic athlete – one leg) – TIME: 10:06
18. 2010 Tiago Sato – TIME: 9:51
In an effort to shine light on a sport not yet as prominent in Brazil as our world-class soccer, I would be grateful if you would, in the name of the sport of world-class open-water swimming, give notice to the Confedaração Brasileira de Desportos Aquaticos and the Federação Aquática Paulista that three Brazilians (Edison Peinado Jr., Marcello Collet and Tiago Sato) achieved what was at one time considered unachievable.
My swim was ratified by the Channel Swimming Association:
(http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/).
For 2010 swim results, please see:
http://channelswimmingassociation.com/doc/2010_Swim__list_181010_for_the_web_site.pdf
I would like to express my gratitude to the Confedaração Brasileira de Desportos Aquaticos for sending me an official uniform of the Brazilian Swim Team so I could represent my country in English and French Waters. I also would like to highlight the special care that Ms. Chrisitane Fanzeres, the CBDA Maratonas Aquaticas secretary and also a successful English Channel swimmer and Mr. Coaracy Nunes Filho, CBDA President, for making sure I received the official Brazilian uniform in time to my trip to England.
I have read that more people have been in outer space than have accomplished this feat. I am honored to be a part of this incredible family of brave and passionate athletes, and to have represented Brazil among them.
I appreciate your attention, and I look forward to talking to you in person if you think it is necessary.
Sincerely,
Edison Martos Peinado, Jr.
