The IISA 6th World Championship in Molveno, Italy ends today after five tough, challenging, exciting days for swimmers, medical staff, coaches, and volunteers alike. The 1.8°C water created memories that will last a lifetime.
Susie Nolan Loiselle, Secretary of the International Ice Swimming Association USA, asked Team USA members to describe the Championship with one word. These were their responses:
- other worldly
- epic
- fun
- joyful
- inspiring
- badass
- medical
- fun
- exhilarating
- uplifting
- happy
- energizing
- motivational
- awesome
- phenomenal
- wonderful
- amazing
- spectacular
- magical
- vindicating
- trailblazing
- friendships
International Ice Swimming Association (@international_ice_swimming) founder Ram Barkai (@rambarkai_iceswimmer) of South Africa predicted a magical time for the 754 athletes in Molveno and it was.
The members of Team USA included a college professor, authors, a librarian, a dairy farmer, coaches, a national park range, artists, an Olympian, college students, an Iron Iceman, an Iron Icewoman, an International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Honor Swimmer, retirees, and the following athletes:
- David McGlynn, PhD (48): a professor, author, writer for Swimmer Magazine and marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Tricia Elmer (65): an experienced marathon swimmer from Seattle, Washington, IISA bio here
- Mary Ann Best (61): a two-time Ice Miler from Gary, Indiana who swims in Lake Michigan, IISA bio here
- Qing Li: (34, @cha_qing) a Triple Crowner who completed a 29-day Ironman-Ice Mile turnaround, IISA bio here
- Gerald George (66): 2-time Ice Miler, 2-time Ice Kilometer, and marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Louise Hyder-Darlington (64): founder of Penn Heron Open Water Club, 1-mile Beagle Channel, Antarctica, IISA bio here
- Claire Hilbers (46, @clairehilbers): Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival, trail and ultra marathon runner, IISA bio here
- Puranjot Kaur (44): coach, pioneering marathon swimmer
- Mariah Reading (30, @mariahreading): swimmer since the age of 7, Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival, IISA bio here
- Brian Jaskot (46, @br18n): Ice Miler, winter swimmer, and marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Elaine Howley (47, @emkhowley): 2-time Ice Miler, IISA World Championship, channel & marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Juliet Kadlecek (55, @julietkad): CIBBOWS board member, IISA bio here
- Jacqueline Broner (59): Executive Director of CIBBOWS, IISA bio here
- Vera Rivard (@vera_team_rivard): 2-time Ice Miler, Triple Crowner, longest tandem swim on record, IISA bio here
- Chris Ballard (51, @chrisballard33): writer for Sports Illustrated Magazine, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Andie Nelson (47, @andienelsonswims): Marathon swimmer, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Margaret Gadzic (45): founder of the Buckeye Bluetits chapter in Ohio, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Mary James (43): Buckeye Bluetits Chill swimmer, Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival, IISA bio here
- Lisa Yamamoto (31): 2-time Ice Miler, IISA 5th World Championship, pioneering marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Janet Manning (60): IISA 5th World Championship, IISA USA National Championships, ice pool carver, IISA bio here
- Susie Nolan Loiselle (60): IISA USA board secretary, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Stephen Rouch (44): Ice Miler, Iron Iceman, IISA USA National Championships, marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- John Zemaitis (@swimbrothersusa): IISA 5th World Championship, IISA USA Nationals, marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Joe Zemaitis (44, @joe.zemaitis): IISA 5th World Championship, Ice Miler, IMSHOF Honor Swimmer, IISA bio here
- Keaton Jones (20, @keatonjones_swim): 2024 Paris Olympian (5th in 200m backstroker), 5-time winner at IISA 5th World Championship, multiple IISA world record holder, IISA bio here
- Martha Wood (62, @mox_in_sox_2): Ice Miler, Antarctica Ice Kilometer, channel and marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Danny Hatfield (55): IISA bio here
- Martin Davies: IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Ted Hirsch (64): Ice Miler, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Ed Gabriels (63): IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Scott Lautman (72): IISA 3rd World Championship, IISA 5th World Championship, channel swimmer, IISA bio here
- Mark Lautman (75): IISA 3rd World Championship, IISA 5th World Championship, channel swimmer, IISA bio here
- Elizabeth Almond (51): Ice Miler, IISA 5th World Championship, channel swimmer, IISA bio here
- Andrew Wallace (59): Ice Miler, marathon swimmer, IISA bio here
- Ezmee Jones (20, @ezmeejones): IISA 5th World Championship, IISA bio here
- Rena Demeo (55): Ice Miler, IISA 5th World Championship, IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Jennifer Hynes (45): IISA USA National Championships, Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival, IISA bio here
- Virginia Peck (79): Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival, IISA bio here
- Lara Henrichs (55): IISA USA National Championships, IISA bio here
- Amy Meskill (34): IISA Level 1 certified observer, IISA bio here
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