#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The team from Norilsk for the mass cold swim on lake Lama X-WATERS Plateau Putorana – 2022 included not 10, but 20 athletes.
The organizers made this decision after the qualifying swim for participation in the stage of the World Open Water Swimming Championship, which took place in the pool of the X-Fit North fitness center.
25 northerners out of 32 who had been preparing for the mass start for the past six months demonstrated skill level.
The organizers said that the qualifying stage was held at four distances: 50, 100, 1000 and 1852 meters. It is these distances that athletes will overcome in the icy water of lake Lama in July.
“Each swimmer could choose one distance. Nautical mile, the longest distance, was conquered by four northerners. Three people swam a mile. All seven stayers showed excellent results and entered the team. 18 Norilsk athletes showed their worth at the sprint distances: seven swimmers overcame the 100 meters, six of whom will become participants in X-WATERS, and seven out of 11 conquerors of the shortest distance included seven in the Norilsk team”, the organizers explained.
Cold swimming coach, record holder in winter swimming and the northerners’ main mentor Natalya Vasilyeva noted that all participants in the qualifying swim pleasantly surprised her by both speed and technique.
Swimmers not included in the city team will be able to get on the X-WATERS Plateau Putorana as volunteers.
Besides the Norilsk people, several daredevils from other Russian cities will take part in the second mass cold swim.
Those wishing to dive into cold water still have time to register.
As a reminder, the X-WATERS Plateau Putorana project is being implemented with the active participation of the Norilsk Development Agency and the Nornickel company’s support. Ice swimming in Norilsk is promoted by the Taimyr Walruses and the Nord Diving Club.
The X-WATERS Plateau Putorana project is going to be an annual event.
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Text: Angelica Stepanova, Photo: Norilsk Development Agency
