Ice swimmers compete in World Championships

Four ice swimmers from Northamptonshire are competing for the United Kingdom at the Winter Swimming World Championships in Finland.

It is being held in Oulu, about 100 miles (160km) south of the Arctic circle, and is welcoming 2,000 swimmers from across the world.

Claire Bustin, Michelle Leach, Amy Mellor and Adam Boon have travelled to the competition, which began on Monday, with each competing in several events including Freestyle, Butterfly and Breaststroke over distances from 50m to 450m.

The temperature of the water is below freezing. Michelle explained: "You do have to get into a mindset, and it helps to have a little bit of a 'cake layer' which I have over winter."

Michelle said she previously competed in triathlons, but "decided to do open water [swimming] in the River Nene - and then from there it was going through the winter getting colder and colder temperatures before embarking on an ice mile [swim]".

"I like the cold water stuff and I like endurance stuff," she said.

Amy said that for ice swimming, all they wear is "just a swimming costume, cap and goggles".

She also explained that for the 450m event, which is the longest race distance, all participants had to have an ECG (electrocardiogram) and a medical check, with Claire adding that they must also have a "buddy to look after them who knows how you swim, your stroke-rate, that kind of thing".

Amy competed in the Butterfly event, which she said "was really fun in these conditions".

The trio explained that rather than qualifying through national championships, entry is earned by submitting your own times and experience.

Each event is split into 15 different age categories, with racers competing for both their country and local clubs.

The group have achieved some notable results, including Claire coming third in her category of the 200m Breaststroke and Adam fourth his 100m Breaststroke.

Amy came sixth in her 200m Freestyle race, while Michelle finished seventh in her 450m Freestyle event.

The championships are a bi-annual event, and conclude on Sunday.

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