It will be a dive for brave swimmers because this is how swimming in the waters of the Navigli has always been in January. Because this is how the “trials” have been since 1895, when a handful of daring men dived into the waters of the “Great” in one of the three days of the Merla. Then the challenges between the rowers continued partly for fun and partly seriously in a tradition that every year presents this historic and daring event to the Milanese. A “tough” challenge that was born many years ago as a challenge between the two Rowing Clubs: Milano and Olona. A gesture of courage, a small splurge or perhaps just the opportunity to dive in front of the Church of San Cristoforo, one of the most loved by the Milanese. Six years ago among the brave people there was also a sports councilor who braved the icy waters at midnight wearing a period costume and cap. Roberta Guaineri, who died suddenly due to an illness last June 24th at the age of 57, she participated in the “Cimento dei Leoni”, and it was one of the many “exploits” of a woman, a lawyer by trade, with a passion for sport that led her to swimming , cycling, running and also putting all three sports together in triathlon races. The first Roberta Guaineri Trophy will be held next Sunday in the waters of the Naviglio Grande. A “trial” in his memory over a distance of one hundred meters to swim against the current for a tribute, organized by the Milan Bar Association and the Canottieri San Cristoforo with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan. «Roberta Guaineri was an example of love of great political and social commitment for her city – we read on the memorial poster – Tenacious, sporty, she climbed peaks, competed in triathlons and swam…». The first edition of the Trophy will be reserved for 30 expert swimmers in freezing waters but the aim is to make it a more participatory tradition: «Roberta left us last year – write the organizers – and as a councilor she followed by participating in many events sportsmen. We want to hope that this Trophy in his name will become an institutional event and that every year there will be the possibility of proposing it again to keep his memory alive.”