Alicia Arias Garcia and the Triple Corona hat-trick: The ocean-crossing story of a Mexican finance executive

In the early morning off Dover, England, in water at just 14 degrees Celsius, a small Mexican woman pushed herself into the English Channel. 12 hours and 2 minutes later, she touched the shore at Cap Gris-Nez, France. Alicia Arias Garcia had not only completed the harshest challenge of open-water swimming – she had achieved the prestigious Triple Corona, a feat accomplished by only about 400 people worldwide. But what makes her story even more special is that she is not a professional athlete: she is an investment fund manager with 17 years of experience in finance, and she is doing it all through discipline and passion. What is the Triple Corona in open-water swimming? It is the challenge of conquering three extremely difficult long-distance swims: around Manhattan Island (46 km), crossing the Catalina Channel (35 km), and swimming the English Channel (33 km). Unlike pool races, these are swims without lane lines, without warm water. Swimmers must face currents, jellyfish, boat traffic, and bone-chilling cold. The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming recognizes this achievement, and by 2026, Alicia will be officially listed after the board confirms the summer records. Currently, among the 24 Mexicans who have completed the Triple Corona, only 8 are women – and she is one of them. Alicia's journey began not in an Olympic pool or an elite sports club. She grew up with a passion for the ocean, but for many years she treated it as a hobby. About five years ago, she started serious training with the goal of tackling the world's most challenging channels. Each year, she swims over 1 million meters – a massive number, equivalent to swimming around the Earth horizontally in 40 years. But that record does not come from short pool sessions. She spends up to 6 consecutive hours in water below 16°C, conditions where the human body can normally only withstand a few minutes before hypothermia. Alicia admits she does not have the perfect swimming technique of top professionals, but her endurance and adaptability to cold make up for it. In training, she regularly swims in cold water to acclimate her body – a method sports scientists call 'thermal adaptation.' Alicia's story is not just about physical fitness; it's a story of an incredible balance between two passions: finance and the ocean. As managing director at LAKPA Mexico, a risk management advisory firm, and co-founder of Mujeres en Finanzas, she manages millions of dollars during the day and then steps into the cold water to swim for hours. Many wonder how she maintains both demanding roles. Her answer: 'Discipline. I don't have time for perfection, but I always prioritize what's most important. When I'm at the office, I give 100% focus. When I get in the water, I give my entire self to each stroke.' But things were not always smooth. Alicia failed in her first attempt to cross the English Channel – she had to quit at the 28th km due to hypothermia. 'Failure is part of the journey,' she says. 'What matters is that you get up, analyze the mistake, and go back.' And she did go back, not once but three times, completing all three challenges in the same year. That achievement places her in a very small group in the world – those who swim oceans out of passion, not for medals. When analyzing Alicia's technique, experts point out she has no data on stroke rate or glide efficiency – factors that often determine competitive swimming performance. But in open water, especially long-distance challenges, the ability to adapt to the environment and manage energy is crucial. Alicia doesn't need to break world records; she just needs to reach the finish, and she does so through smart strategy and careful preparation. The 6-hour swims in sub-16°C water have helped her body develop insulating fat and effective thermoregulation. 'Many people think cold-water swimming is about luck,' she says, 'but it's science. You must train your body to adapt gradually, not rush.' Alicia's story also opens a new perspective on the open-water swimming community in Mexico. Compared to developed countries like the US, UK, or Australia, the number of Mexicans completing the Triple Corona is still modest – only 24 in history, with only 8 women. Her presence serves as an inspirational figure for young generations, especially Mexican girls, that the ocean has no boundaries beyond their own fear. Her story also highlights the connection between extreme sports and the advancement of women in finance – where patience, stress tolerance, and strategic thinking are sharpened through those hours of cold-water swimming. However, the potential risks in her journey cannot be denied. Training at intense levels – sometimes 9 hours a day – and frequent exposure to cold water can lead to injury or burnout. Balancing a financial career that demands time and intellect with elite sports training is a significant pressure. She admits that 'success is impossible without support from family and colleagues. They understand that when I am mentally healthy, I work better.' This shows that the team behind her is crucial, though not often mentioned in media. Looking ahead, Alicia's achievement may open opportunities for developing open-water swimming in Mexico and encourage more women to participate in endurance sports. Media attention on her in the coming years could influence sponsorship decisions and create more arenas for long-distance swimming in the Central American country. Official inclusion in the Triple Corona list in summer 2026 will add prestige and inspiration. But perhaps the most enduring aspect of Alicia's story is the message of stepping out of one's comfort zone – no matter who you are or what you do. Sports reporters asked her: 'What drives you through pain, cold, and fear?' Alicia answers: 'I want to prove that age, gender, or profession is not a barrier to the desire to conquer.' And she has conquered – not only three channels but also her own limits, becoming a symbol of perseverance and passion that anyone can learn from. Finally, the success of Alicia Arias Garcia contradicts the common belief that to reach the pinnacle of sports, you must sacrifice everything else. She proves that an athlete can be an excellent financial manager, a community activist, and a mother – all simultaneously. Her discipline lies not only in the pool but also in how she organizes her life. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson she delivers: it's not about how fast you swim, but how far you go in the journey toward your goals—whether in the ocean or in your career.