Behind the Scenes of Patrícia Farias' Epic Swims
The marathon swimmer looks back at key moments in Lake Titicaca, Guanabara Bay, and the 10-year Leme to Pontal relay on Natação Stemma.
Patrícia Farias revisits photographic memories from her most iconic open-water ultramarathons. The athlete shares behind-the-scenes stories from challenges at Lake Titicaca, Guanabara Bay, and the historic Leme to Pontal crossing.
Revisiting photos of major open-water crossings means reliving the intensity of every stroke, the support boat's guidance, and each location's cultural impact. In an interview on Natação Stemma, marathon swimmer Patrícia Farias opened her memory album and shared the behind-the-scenes stories behind landmark moments from her open-water career.
A warm welcome and mystique at Lake Titicaca
Among the most striking memories captured in the photos is the finish at Lake Titicaca. Patrícia highlighted the festive reception organized by local authorities, including the police and city hall, along with traditional colorful tributes presented to her and coach Renato Ribeiro. Beyond the celebration, the athlete emphasized the profound spiritual connection felt upon approaching the region, revered as the cradle of the Incas and a sacred lake.
The 10-year relay and historic Leme to Pontal
Another visual highlight was the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Travessia do Leme ao Pontal, completed by an all-female relay team of 12 women—including swimmers such as Cris and Estelinha—supported by Renato Ribeiro and the crew on the support boat. The image stood in contrast to photos of her solo finish in 2016, when she completed the course and cemented her name in the event's history, alongside memories of her swim through the waters of the Rio Negro.
From Urca to Paquetá: awareness and respect in Guanabara Bay
The photos from the crossing between Urca and Paquetá in Guanabara Bay also brought back recent memories. Held on March 31 to mark Women's Month and World Water Day, the challenge earned a certificate centered on using sports to foster environmental awareness—a message Patrícia also presented at Rio Innovation Week at the invitation of Águas do Rio.
Among the most memorable parts of this route was swimming beneath the Rio-Niterói Bridge alongside large commercial vessels navigating the channel. Patrícia revealed that navigating under the massive structure required immense mental strength, inspiring a moment of silence and respect in memory of the workers who lost their lives during the bridge's construction.