Introduction to Ice Swimming
Ice swimming is a unique and challenging sport that involves swimming in icy waters with temperatures not exceeding 5 degrees Celsius. The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) is the governing body for this sport, with 73 member countries and a range of competitions, including the World Cup.
The World Cup in Molveno, Italy
The sixth edition of the World Cup in icy waters was recently held in Molveno, Italy, where athletes competed in a 50-meter pool with icy waters. The American athlete Keaton Jones emerged as one of the main protagonists, winning five medals, including four golds and one silver, in the 12 individual male tests.
Keaton Jones’ Achievements
Jones, who is also a talented swimmer in warmer waters, has turned ice swimming into one of his preferred modalities. He won gold medals in the 50 and 100 meters back, with a new world record in swimming in frost waters (59.00) in the latter event. He also won gold medals in the 50 free (24.67) and the 100 free (53.15), and silver in the 50 butterfly.
Jones’ Thoughts on Ice Swimming
Jones has expressed his passion for ice swimming, stating that it started as an opportunity to do something different and travel to new places. He has set his sights on achieving more personal goals in this sport and is determined to push himself to new limits. Jones believes that to be considered a true ice swimmer, one must face a distance event, and he is eager to take on this challenge.
Team Effort
Jones also competed in a team event, forming a 4×250 free relay with his sister Ezmee Jones, Lisa Yamamoto, and Stephen Rouch. Together, they won the gold medal, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in ice swimming.
The Future of Ice Swimming
The IISA is working towards making ice swimming a part of the Olympic program for winter games. With athletes like Keaton Jones pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this sport, the future of ice swimming looks bright and exciting. As the sport continues to grow and develop, we can expect to see more thrilling competitions and achievements from athletes around the world.
