Courtesy of Nuala Moore from inside the Polar Circle.

There were very good reasons why Henri Kaarma was voted as the 2014 World Open Water Swimming Man of the Year.

Not only is he one of the most renowned and fastest ice swimmers in the world, but his demeanor and mindset makes him one of the most personable, inspirational and selfless ambassadors of his sport.

He is always very busy in any cold water swimming competition. At the World Ice Swimming Championships in Murmansk, Russia, Karma competed in every event – and did it extraordinarily well.

His times were as follows in addition to participating in two relays:

25m freestyle: 13:33
50m freestyle: 28:52
25m breaststroke: 18:11
50m breaststroke: 40:13
450m freestyle: 5:46
1000m freestyle: 14:17

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