First passage of the Strait of Magellan by kiteboard
Two dentists from Zurich have negotiated the 560 km long Strait of Magellan on kiteboards, setting a world record under extreme weather conditions and taking the sport of kiteboarding into a new dimension. Maurice Lacroix supported the venture under the slogan “YOUR TIME IS NOW.”
Strong winds, icy temperatures and persistent poor visibility certainly created difficult conditions for brothers Geza and André Scholtz, two dentists from the city of Zurich who are passionate about kite surfing. Their great dream – to navigate the Strait of Magellan by kiteboard – became reality on January 7, 2013. “We congratulate the expedition team, who have proved once again that we should always hold on to our dreams in order to make them come true. In spite of the difficult conditions, the time was right for the team to rise above all the challenges,” says Marc Gläser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix SA, which supported the project.
The Strait of Magellan lies between the southernmost tip of South America and the island of Tierra del Fuego. It is named after the Portuguese mariner Ferdinand Magellan, who, in 1520, was the first to sail through the strait in the course of his voyage around the world. Since the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, the strait has been used only by large transport vessels that cannot pass through the canal. With its icy water temperatures, roaring winds and poor visibility, the strait is regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous navigation routes. The passage demanded full commitment from the entire team. A record achievement in terms of sporting endurance, bringing with it the reward of a place in history as the “Maurice Lacroix Strait of Magellan Expedition”.
“We were stretched to the limit and we fought on to the end. To have achieved our goal is an indescribable feeling,” says Geza Scholtz, Swiss kiteboarder on the “Maurice Lacroix Strait of Magellan Expedition”.
Impressions of the Expedition
The “Maurice Lacroix Strait of Magellan Expedition” did not just demand world-record sporting performance; it was also journey of discovery that afforded several weeks of adventure and new experiences. Impressions and interesting background information can be found on www.mauricelacroix.com and facebook.com /mauricelacroixwatches.
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