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ITAItalySport:SwimmingEnrique Tirabocchi, also recorded as Enrico Tiraboschi, was an Italian swimmer whose sporting life was closely connected with Argentina. He lived and worked there before his Channel success, and accounts of his achievement reflect both Italian and Argentine associations. His crossing is recorded under Italy.
After unsuccessful attempts in 1921 and 1922, he completed the first recognised France-to-England swim on 12 August 1923. He landed at Shakespeare Beach, Dover, with the Calais tug Champion as his escort. The retrospective Channel record gives 16 hours and 33 minutes, substantially faster than Matthew Webb’s earlier crossing. Contemporary press histories contain competing timings, which remain qualified in the detailed record.
Tirabocchi’s success received attention on both sides of the Atlantic and made him an important figure in the growing international culture of marathon swimming. He gave his £1,000 Daily Sketch prize to the International Swimming Federation.
First successful France-to-England crossing · 12 August 1923
Also recorded as Enrico Tiraboschi.
Crossing details, recordings & verificationSolo swim
Sunday, 12 August 1923 (completion)
France → England
CSA, Dover Museum and TIME give 16h33m; the cited press study contains 16h25m and 16h23m plus conflicting dates. Exact timing remains unresolved.
Elapsed time · 16h 33m
Start clock · Clock time not confirmed
Finish clock · Clock time not confirmed
Sources disagree · See the crossing record for qualifications and supporting evidence.
Open-water swimming · Solo swim
1913 · exact day not confirmed
Tigre River, Argentina
Completed a 20 km river swim, reported as a South American record at the time.
Elapsed time · 6h 35m
Published distance · 20 km
Historical account checked · Details and qualifications are in the career evidence.
Open-water swimming · Solo swim
1916 · exact day not confirmed
Paraná River, Argentina
Completed a 34 km river swim.
Elapsed time · 10h 55m
Published distance · 34 km
Historical account checked · Details and qualifications are in the career evidence.
1921
An unsuccessful France-to-England attempt is recorded on 12 August.
1922
Another unsuccessful attempt followed on 29 August.
12 August 1923
The retrospective Channel record gives 16h 33m for the successful crossing.
1923
His crossing attracted Italian, Argentine and international coverage; the museum records his prize donation.
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First recorded finish
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0 of 1 recorded
Selected swimming performances appear in the English Channel record above.
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