The Crossing 2026: seven teams paddle 225 km for Princess Charlène Foundation
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Seven four-person teams completed a 225-kilometre water bike relay between Italy and Monaco on 20 June, raising funds for the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation.
The third edition of The Crossing brought seven teams of elite athletes to the water on Saturday 20 June, each completing a relay across 225 kilometres by water bike on a route linking the Italian coast to Monaco. The event ran for 24 hours, with competitors trading off shifts through the night to reach the Principality.
All funds raised go to the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, which focuses on water safety and drowning prevention programmes across the world. The Crossing has become one of the Foundation's flagship sporting fundraisers, combining endurance sport with its core charitable mission.
For residents along the coastline and in the port area, the finish brought the kind of spectacle that sits comfortably alongside Monaco's broader calendar of maritime events. With 28 athletes involved across the seven squads, this year's edition was the largest to date.