The new world record set by Veljko Rogosic

(The end a two month marathon)

Prevlaka, August 27th (Saturday) - Today is the last, fifty-seventh stage - Molunat to point Ponta Ostra, on the peninsula Prevlaka, of Rogosic’s amazing two-month marathon endeavor, Savudrija - Prevlaka 2005.

The "Adriatic dolphin" is expected to arrive in Prevlaka around noon, after planting a Croatian flag on the southeast point of the Croatian coast - point Ponta Ostra which will be a final touch of his 1,000 km journey.

Veljko Rogosic, Croatian’s most famous marathon swimmer of all times, testing levels of human endurance, managed to connect the northwest and the southeast point of the Croatian coast, swimming approximately 4 hours per day at the average speed of 3.86 km/hour.

He already broke his own and world record from 1977, in marathon swimming on lakes and seas, on the 28th stage of the marathon when he passed the 454 km point in Vodice, and today he is writing a new page in swimming marathon history by setting a new world record of (official) 880 km.

Rogosic’s bright career started in year 1959. 51 times he set a country record; he’s a four time World Champion, and a many times over world record swimmer. Rogosic was named the World"s Best Marathon Swimmer, was a recipient of the title "The King of Cold Waters", and was named World’s Absolute Marathon Swimmer. Rogosic participated in Olympic Games in Rome and Tokyo and won three medals on Mediterranean Games. He also participated in about twenty international competitions and at least as many Adriatic marathons. In 1998, his name was written in the 'International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame' in Florida, among worlds marathon swimming elite, when he was named the Legend on World Marathon Swimming by the WPMS Federation.

Last year, at age 64, he swam the La Manche channel, the 45 kilometers distance, in 11 hours and 27 minutes and his name was written in the 'Gold book of La Manche' as the first Croatian and the oldest man to do so. His sports legacy includes over 1.400 trophies and today he will receive a new one, a crystal statue, a gift by Samobor kristali, to remember this remarkable day and this amazing achievement.

- Today I am crossing out this achievement from my "to do list". I wanted to do something unique for my beloved country and i succeeded. I must admit that I already have something new planned, a new challenge - to connect Africa and Europe, to set yet another world record - proudly points out Rogosic who spent 222 hours in water during this marathon.

Once again, at the age of 64, Rogosic has claimed his rightful place among few worlds’ best marathon swimmers.

Rogosic started this amazing achievement on Friday, July 1st at 9.12 hours in Savudrija, and his web site www.veljkorogosic.org, especially designed and started for this unique physical and mental marathon, was updated daily and includes colorful daily reports, media exposure and plenty of photos. It is also interesting to mention that the marathon was supported by the Croatian President, Stjepan Mesic, as an Honorable General Sponsor.

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For more information, map and a daily journal of his amazing adventure, as well as a large photo gallery, please visit: www.veljkorogosic.org.