56-year-old Los Angeles resident breaks Vikingsholm swim record

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – After breaking the Lake Tahoe True Width record last summer, 56-year-old Alex Kostich from Los Angeles returned to Tahoe on Monday and broke another record.

“I really just wanted to have a good swim and try to be under 4 hours,” he said, after he accomplished his goal with room to spare at 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 51 seconds, outpacing Colombia’s Jorge Angel’s six-year record on the 10.6-mile Vikingsholm swim by 31 minutes.

The swim from Cave Rock, Nev. to the beach below the historic Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay, Calif. is the second swim in the Lake Tahoe Triple Crown, which includes the Lake Tahoe True Width (12 miles) he completed last year, this year’s Vikingsholm swim and the Lake Tahoe Length (21.3 miles).

In making a habit of coming to Tahoe and breaking records, Kostich has begun to develop superstitions, such as eating at Morelo’s Tacos as his last meal before the swim. It was his last meal before last year’s True Width crossing, so he thought it best to continue that tradition.

“I’ve stayed in touch throughout the year with the proprietors there (Omar, Mari, and Chris) and so it was a nice reunion to see them and enjoy their delicious tacos before my swim the next day!”

He also stopped by another favorite shop, Tahoe City’s Leffler Leather, where he purchased shoes that he says brought good luck.

These two shops, along with Emerald Bay Lodge, he says, made his Monday record a team effort.

For Kostich, Tahoe is just as much about the community as it is about swimming, if not more. “I hope it’s apparent how much I value and appreciate the local community,” he says, “I’ve come to know since last year.”

Support extended beyond the land and onto the water. One core memory from the swim was the unexpected messages of encouragement that came via text from family, friends, and the swim community, relayed to him on a whiteboard from a boat as he swam.

It helped Kostich push through a particularly difficult two-mile section in the middle of the lake where he was battling waves.

“Naturally, this swim was metaphoric in terms of the real-world challenges so many people face,” he said, “but it made me aware of the importance and beauty of this sense of community and support.”

When embarking on these swims, boats pilot athletes, while observers ensure proper recording and adherence to rules. Athletes also often have someone who helps feed them and keep them fueled during these marathon swims.

Kotisch completed Monday’s swim with the support of Sylvia Lacock of the Pacific Open Water Swim Co. and the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association, feeder Suzanne Heim-Bowen, Mikey Flaherty, and observer Kat Filley.

The repeat Tahoe swimmer now has his sights set on completing the Triple Crown. To do that, he’d have to complete the 21.3 miles of the Lake Tahoe Length swim, which he explains is often cited as more difficult than the English Channel due to freshwater, reduced buoyancy, and the 6,000-foot elevation.

“I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday’s humbling success,” he told the Tribune on Tuesday, “and feel maybe I should commit myself and hold myself accountable.”