I spent January and February training in Dominica, where the perfect conditions left me eager to return.

When it was announced that Vertical Blue would not be held this year, many top athletes who usually compete in that event decided to sign up for the competition organized by Deep Dominica. After winning two gold medals at the Nice Abyss Contest in June, I headed back to Dominica for the most popular event of the year.

In addition to the three world record attempts by Davide Carrera, Alessia Zecchini, and Alenka Artnik, many other athletes made significant progress during the month of training preceding the competition, making it an emotional event.

Among the women, American Enchante Gallardo showed tenacity in all disciplines, taking first place overall and setting four continental records. Alessia Zecchini displayed maturity and resilience: after failed record attempts by her and her competitor Alenka, she changed her strategy, conserving her energy for the world championship. She opted for what she described as a “simple” dive to 115 meters in monofin, which earned her first place in CWT.

Personally, I increased my distances to 95 meters in monofin and 87 meters in bifins, and I even discovered a new passion for breaststroke.

Although I was at my peak form the week before the competition, my dives allowed me to secure second place overall, second place in monofin behind my teammate Alessia Zecchini, and third place in bifins.

Master M1 Helena Bourdillon achieved third place overall and set a world record in CNF. Special mention goes to American Cherlyn Yuan, who increased her personal record by 26 meters during the month leading up to the competition, reaching 66 meters in monofin.

Among the men, William Trubridge, recovering from ciguatera poisoning, was unable to reach his maximum depths but still managed to take first place overall. Tunisian Walid Boudhiaf had reached an incredible 130 meters in monofin in the Blue Hole of the Bahamas a month before the competition but couldn’t maintain his form for the event, settling for second place overall.

Belgian Sacha Porte kept us on the edge of our seats with a performance of 107 meters in the competition, improving his personal best by 12 meters during training and securing third place overall.

Special mention to Sebastian Lira, who set two continental records in bifins at 107 and 110 meters and attempted 117 meters in monofin, reaching 113 meters.

In the Master M2 category, David Mellor, returning after a decompression incident during the April competition in Dominica, came back to compete, earning two world records.

My next stops will be the Italian Championships on September 7-8, where I hope to set a world record, followed by my third call-up to the World Championships with the Italian National Team in Kalamata from October 3-13.

My results for the Deep Dominica Cup

• Second Place Overall Women

• Second Place in Monofin with 92m, following Alessia Zecchini

• Third Place in Bifins with 82m