Nicky Farrugia calls off London-Paris endurance attempt after fall
A bad fall last night caused Maltese athlete Nicky Farrugia to give up his attempt to break the Enduroman Arch to Arc world record by running, swimming and cycling between Marble Arch in London and the Arch de Triomphe in Paris.
His bicycle chain jammed as he cycled at Abbeville, some 65 miles away from Calais and he fell, badly damaging his bike and hurting a knee.
The incident happened at about 7.30 p.m. and the attempt was called off a few hours later when his knee started swelling even as attempts were being made to find a suitable bike replacement.
The end of the attempt followed heartache early yesterday when Nicky had to be pulled out of the English Channel within a mile of completing his swim between Dover and Calais. The decision was taken for safety reasons after he felt sick earlier in the swim.
"It was just one bad luck after another, but my motto is to never give up," Nicky told timesofmalta.com.
Nicky, who had swam the Channel before, was attempting to make it between London and Paris in under 81 hours, five minutes.
He completed his run from Marble Arch to Dover, a distance of 140km, in 21hrs, 28mins and 23sec.
Nicky Farrugia was raising funds for Dar Ta-l Providenza and Inspire (Eden & Razzett Foundation) and appealed to donors to continue to be generous.
The public can support the World Record Attempt via: Donation Account Number : HSBC 068-079821-050
9 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Ishmael Muscat
Jun 25th 2009, 18:19
I was following your endeavours over the past few days & was keeping my fingers crossed for you. to run 140km is one big feat & even more when it is followed by a long swim and a long cycle! Cutting the swim short by just 1 mile was a pity and reading about your bad fall is even more pitiful. Take some good rest, recover well and good luck for your next attempt!
Norbert Bugeja
Jun 25th 2009, 12:36
Better luck next time nicky get well soon
Daniel Dengaky
Jun 24th 2009, 20:36
Just as you've said:never give up..im already looking forward for ur nex try
nevil debattista
Jun 24th 2009, 13:01
Better luck next time Nick. Kif nghidu bil-Malti meta tigi ifthila l-bieb. P.S. I like your bike Nick.
Peter Paul Borg
Jun 24th 2009, 07:01
“Kurag kurag habib” Wishing you a speedy recovery and take care.
Oswald Spiteri
Jun 23rd 2009, 22:34
Nicky is truly an outstanding person. A great sportsman, but when taking part in such events, you may encounter bad luck, despite the many long hours of hard training and mental preparation. Whatever Nicky has done so far, is already in our history books and it will be remembered for many years to come. I wish Nicky a speedy recover, and look forward to see him again on the road with his usual pleasant smile.
Reuben Caruana
Jun 23rd 2009, 18:22
Ten on Ten for the effort. Better luck next time!! I am sure that new record was merely postponed. Meanwhile, the nobel aim of collecting money for Dar tal Providenza & Razzet Foundation is still going on. (''Charity begins at home'')
Peter Paul Gauci
Jun 23rd 2009, 18:21
Nicky Farrugia is an exemplary sportsman who always gives his 100% in all events. Nicky unlucky this time but i am sure you will be attempting the event again as soon as you can. Hope injury is not too bad and that you have a safe trip back home. You still make us Maltese proud of you and your achivements.
David Galea
Jun 23rd 2009, 17:10
An incredible effort by an incredible athlete and one of the few Maltese athletes who are held in great esteem throughout the world in triathlon. Massive respect to a real endurance athlete who has made sacrifices all his life for the sake of his sport. He will surely be successful in another of the great challenges he chooses to face at great personal expense (effort, time and money). Good luck with the recovery Nicky! Looking forward to hearing about you succeeding in the next one!