The 17-member Frozen Ferns, selected from the 2024 IISA NZ & Southern Hemisphere Pool Championships, took the IISA 6th World Championship in Molveno, Italy by storm. Traveling from their native New Zealand, the team finished an impressive 4th overall in the country medal count.
The national ice swimming team included Meg Agnew, Helen Bolton, Maddy Copeland, Emilia Finer, Madeline Hobo, Kevin Hopkins, Francois Lambrechts, Vicki Liddell, Stephen Moore, Bethany Rogers, Tatjana Schmidt, Cameron Stanley, Heidi Winter, Sophie Winter, Laetitia Berten, and Anneke Veenstra. The swimmers not only won overall gold medals (Emilia Finer, Heidi Winter, Sophie Winter), but the members also set many age group world records and captured numerous age group podium positions throughout the IISA 6th World Championship between January 14th and 18th.
Two women among their New Zealand teammates have a special relationship: Charlotte Brynn (New Zealand 58, IISA bio here, MSF bio here) and Heidi Brynn (New Zealand, 24, IISA bio here), shown above. While the mother-and-daughter duo live in Vermont, USA, they both relished in the honor of representing New Zealand and swimming for the Frozen Ferns. “What a fantastic event. It was such a thrilling experience and incredible experience with the Frozen Ferns in Molveno. It was truly an honor to swim alongside such an inspiring and supportive group of individuals,” recalled Charlotte.
The cohesive and encouraging vibe within our team was palpable and consistent throughout the entire week. I was particularly struck by how beautifully everyone focused on what was within our control, letting go of external variables, and putting their energy into their best efforts. That mindset was not only empowering, but clearly instrumental in our collective success.
Heidi and I are so proud to have been part of this journey and are wearing our Frozen Fern gear with pride, reflecting on everything we all achieved together. To end up 4th on the medal tallies is a testament to everyone’s hard work, dedication, and incredible team spirit. We are already looking forward to what lies ahead in France in 2027 and are committed to carrying this momentum forward.”
Heidi won her age group in the 50m freestyle, placing 6th overall in 31.28 as well as winning her age group in the 100m freestyle (just missing qualifying for finals), finishing second in her age group in the 100m backstroke, and third in her age group in both the 50m butterfly and 250m freestyle.
Charlotte set an age group world record in winning the 1000m freestyle in 15:53 in the 1.8°C water (finishing 13th overall) in addition to finishing second in her age group in both the 250m and 500m freestyle events.
If swimmers are ever in the Stowe, Vermont area, stop by two-time Ice Miler Brynn’s www.theswimmingholestowe.com or visit her online at www.swimwithbrynn.com.
Not only is Charlotte an accomplished ice swimmer, but she has also completed 55 marathon swims during her prolific career including the English Channel, the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, the Catalina Channel, the Lake George Marathon Swim, the Atlantic City Around the Island Marathon Swim, In Search of Memphre, a two-way Lake Champlain crossing, a two-way Skinner Island crossing, a three-way Lake Willoughby crossing, a two-way Lake Willoughby crossing, a two-way Lake Massawippi crossing, a Île Ronde circumnavigation swim, a Île Long Balance Rock crossing, the Boston Light Swim, the Alligator Lighthouse Swim, the Bridges to Bluffs Swim, the SwimAround Charleston, and the Border Buster.
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