On March 15th, there were a number of swimmers who completed an Ice Mile under the auspices of the International Ice Swimming Association and the guidance of their coach Gerald Daringer (48, Austria, IISA bio here, @daringer.gerald, @aqua_n_ice):

• Juan Peña (41, Spain, IISA bio here) and Natalia Pocull Vinets (44, Spain, IISA bio here) became the first Spaniards to complete an Ice Mile in 3.6°C water and 0.3°C air in 29 minutes 26 seconds in Lake Achensee, Austria.
• Kerstin Kuntze (60, Germany, IISA bio here) completed an Ice Mile at the age of 60, swimming 1,710 meters in 49 minutes in 3.6°C water and -1.4°C air in Lake Achensee, Austria.
• Marina Ini (34, Italy, IISA bio here) completed an Ice Mile, swimming 1,706 meters in 26 minutes 58 minutes in 3.6°C water and -1.8°C air to set an Italian ice swimming record for both men and women in Lake Achensee, Austria.
• Dr. Paula Bravo (31, Chile, IISA bio here, shown above) completed an Ice Mile in 31 minutes 36 seconds in 3.6°C water and -1.3°C air. The 31-year-old doctor [shown above] previously completed an Ice Mile swimming 1,609 meters in the Strait of Magellan in Chile in a remarkably similar time of 31 minutes 37 seconds in southern Patagonia.

Coach Daringer knows what these Ice Miles take, “It is the brutal cold that paralyzes your whole body, your muscles, and even your consciousness. It is the power of nature that shows you how mighty reality can be — a reality in which your body struggles to survive. It is your thoughts that you learn to control in order to experience things with your body and mind that seem impossible. A long-held dream of swimming in the polar ice sea came true for me.

The duo from Spain – Juan and Natalia – proved that athletes from warmer countries can prepare themselves and rise to the highest levels of ice swimming. One of the most emotional stories came from Kerstin Kuntze who had to battles waves in addition to the cold and distance. The 60-year-old’s swim became a powerful story of perseverance, trust, and inner strength. The sound of the cowbell signaling the finish turned into a deeply symbolic and unforgettable moment. Marina gave an outstanding performance to achieve the fastest time ever among both Italian men and women. Her swim reflects the rising performance level and passion within the international ice swimming scene. Another remarkable figure in the global ice swimming world is Dr. Bravo. The Chilean doctor has established herself with outstanding achievements from Lake Achensee to the open water conditions in the Strait of Magellan where she is en route to the Ice Triple Crown.“

Daringer emphasized, “We offer a highly experienced safety and medical team that exuding confidence and safety, both crucial factors when facing the cold conditions. It is great when people from different countries unite while redefining their personal limits. The Ice Miles under IISA regulations demonstrate what is possible when preparation, safety, and human determination come together. Each swim has a story that proves one thing: the ice is only the stage – the real challenge happens in the mind.”

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