#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The Taimyr team was formed based on the results of qualifying competitions in the swimming pools of Norilsk and Dudinka.
Let us remind you that cold swims on the Yenisey are held in close partnership with the Norilsk Development Agency, the X-WATERS team, as well as the administrations of Dudinka, Norilsk and the Taimyr municipal district. Nornickel provides support. The winged partner of X-WATERS Yenisey is NordStar airlines.
At the qualifying swim in the pools, athletes had to show the best results in three kilometers (for those who is going to storm the five-kilometer distance on the Yenisey), 500 and 100 meters.
During training, the qualifying stage, as well as at the X-WATERS swim on the Yenisey, the Taimyr team and everyone who decided to conquer the mighty Siberian river outside the team will be mentored and supported by a swimming coach with more than 30 years of experience, Natalya Vasilyeva.
“In three years, it will be 40 years of my coaching work. I teach children, I teach adults, I prepare for open water competitions, I am the coach of Moscow’s strongest winter swimming team. I’m preparing guys from Norilsk and Dudinka for a super swim across the Yenisey. Swimming in the pool cannot be compared to that in Yenisey. In open water you need to be able to navigate, you need to take into account the current, waves, transparency. There will be not only natural waves, but also from the boats that will accompany the athletes over long distances. The guys go out in wetsuits for a distance of five kilometers and 500 meters; they are allowed to swim 100 meters without them. Last year the water temperature was +19, but this year it may be only +14”, shared Natalya Vasilyeva.
The X-WATERS competition has been taking place beyond the Arctic Circle for the fourth year. The first two times the northerners conquered the waters of lake Lama, last year and this year the swims are taking place on the Yenisey.
For six months, Norilsk and Dudinka athletes prepared for the qualifying competitions. Lectures, training, tips and instructions on breathing, overcoming the cold and a host of other nuances that need to be taken into account during an open water swim. As a result, the selection in the pool included: 14 people swimming 3 kilometers, 12 people – 500 meters, 23 people – 100 meters. And out of almost 60 people were selected: 12 people for a distance of 100 meters, 8 people for 500 meters and 10 swimmers for 3 kilometers.
Anyone who swims confidently can try to conquer the Yenisey. To do this, you need to select a distance according to your strength on the X-WATERS Yenisey website, purchase a slot and familiarize yourself with the regulations, which spell out detailed rules for participating in the swim.
Athletes from Norilsk and Dudinka will conquer the Yenisey on July 13, 2024.
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Text: Maria Sanina, Photo: Norilsk Development Agency
