When we all set off yesterday morning with the air temperature at -6ºC there was absolutely no doubt we would be heading for three more ice mile attempts at DCLT’s Hatfield Outdoor Activity Centre in Doncaster.
The morning didn’t disappoint.
Tracy left Alistair this message on his windscreen.
First swimmer away was the lovely Gillian McAllister who completed her Ice Mile ( subject to ratification ) in 31m.47s in water temperature of 4.4ºC and air temperature at the centre of -3ºC. The fog made the swim more interesting than usual but with the boat two metres away, visibility and contact was maintained with the swimmer all the way around the lake.
Second swimmer away after traveling down from the furthest reaches of Scotland on Friday was the amazing Beccy Wilson who completed her mile (str) in 53m.59s. Not bad at all given that an ice mile wasn’t really on the horizon for Beccy a few months ago. Happy smiles for everyone in the recovery room. Well done Beccy and thank your for the carrot cake ( delicious ).
Now here we are at our our third swimmer of the morning and a rare privilege to be present at a world first, a country’s first ice mile (str). Madena Kurmanbaeva swimming for Kazakhstan.
Madena completed her mile in 33m.14s starting and finishing with a huge smile on her face.
(Madena also bakes a pretty tasty chocolate cake as well)
Massive well done from everyone at SYS Madena and welcome to the ICE
As always a huge thank you to the whole team of volunteers without whom these ice mile opportunities wouldn’t be possible, you are all awesome.