Graubünden ultraswimmer and water ambassador Ernst Bromeis starts his “Expedition Milano 2015” on Thursday. He wants to cover the 135 kilometer long swim distance from Tenero (TI) to the city center of Milan without long breaks. With his expedition, Bromeis is promoting the “Solidarit'eau suisse” initiative, which supports drinking water projects worldwide.
“At Expo 2015, solutions for the nutrition and water problems of tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be presented, but it may be too late for the billion people who do not have enough water today,” says water ambassador and ultra-swimmer Ernst Bromeis, summarizing his commitment. “With my Expedition Milano 2015, I am therefore supporting a campaign that helps solve current problems.”
In order to generate attention for the “Solidarit'eau suisse” campaign and the water problems of today, the Graubünden swims from Tenero (TI) to the center of Milan for two days and one night.
In the first 24 hours, he wants to swim across the 60-kilometer long Lake Maggiore. On the second day, he first covers 29 kilometers in the Ticino River and then branches off into the “Naviglio Grande” channel, which leads for a further 45 kilometers to Darsena Nuova in the middle of Milan. Bromeis will eat during short stops on land, but no actual rest breaks with sleep are planned.
Bromeis has worked as a water ambassador since 2007 and has supported the “solidarit'eau suisse” initiative as its goodwill ambassador since 2012.
Swiss municipalities can support a drinking water project in a developing country on the platform initiated by the Directorate for Development and Cooperation (SDC). “Since 2007, more than 130 Swiss municipalities have supported our initiative with over 4.7 million francs,” Thomas Streiff, managing director of solidarit'eau suisse, summarized before the media in Locarno on Wednesday. “Some municipalities and water supply companies are also involved locally with training and advice, such as 'eauservice' from Lausanne in Nouakchott, Mauritania.”
Markus Bürli, program manager in the SDC's global water initiatives programme, explained: “Solidarit'eau suisse not only generates additional money for water projects, the platform also mobilizes the exchange of knowledge and experience between Switzerland and developing countries with its projects.”
For water ambassador Ernst Bromeis, the work of the SDC and Solidarit'eau suisse is exemplary: “Solidarit'eau suisse is based on the empathy and solidarity of communities, across national and cultural borders. Even with the smallest amounts per inhabitant, Swiss cities and municipalities can make a difference in developing countries. Solidarity is actually a matter of course. We simply have to show solidarity; we have no other choice.”
Support of the expedition by media professionals
The 2015 Milano Expedition can be easily observed from land. Media professionals who would like to follow the progress of the expedition on site are asked to contact media officer Christian Gartmann: kontakt@dasblauewunder.ch
Start in Tenero (TI)
The Milano 2015 Expedition starts on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 6:00 in the Centro Sportivo Nazionale della Gioventù in Tenero (TI). The start can be followed on site.
Interested media professionals should contact media officer Christian Gartmann: kontakt@dasblauewunder.ch
Arrival to Milano Darsena
The duration of the expedition is highly dependent on wind and weather. It should last between 36 and 40 hours. The Milano 2015 expedition is expected to end in Milano Darsena (Viale Gorizia 30) between 18:00 and 22:00 on Friday evening, August 28. Arrival at the destination can be followed on site.
Interested media professionals should contact media officer Christian Gartmann: kontakt@dasblauewunder.ch
Information about the ongoing expedition
The progress of the expedition is constantly documented on the website www.dasblauewunder.ch as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Media professionals can obtain information on the current situation from the media officer at +41 79 355 78 78.
Interviews with Ernst Bromeis are not possible during the expedition. However, he is happy to be available to the media at media conferences before the expedition and at the destination.
contact
The Blue Wonder — Expedition Milano 2015
Christian Gartmann — media service
+41 79 355 78 78
kontakt@dasblauewunder.ch
Media appointments
- Wednesday, 26.8. — 16:00
Media conference at Hotel Dellavalle, Brione/Locarno - Thursday, 27.8. — 6:00 a.m.
Start at Centro Sportivo Tenero - Friday, 28.8. — in the evening
Arrival to Milano/Darsena