Big chill for Frozen Ferns in Italy

Frozen Fern swimmer Cameron Stanley, from Wanaka, helped raise funds for the team to travel to Italy this week by performing at various concerts last year. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Wānaka, Central Otago and Queenstown Frozen Fern team members will be launching into the icy waters of Lake Molveno, Northern Italy from Sunday, representing New Zealand at the sixth IISA World Championships.

Their schedule runs from January 13 to 18.

The icy water swimming competition takes place in a 50m pool with water temperature below 5°C.

The swimmers wear a swimming costume (not wetsuit), swimming cap and goggles.

More than 500 athletes from 35 nations will compete over various distances and disciplines.

The 17-member New Zealand team qualified for the worlds at the 2024 NZL National Ice Swimming Pool Championships in Alexandra in July.

The Frozen Ferns team includes current ice swimming world champions and age group record holders, as well as veteran swimmers who have represented New Zealand internationally in other swimming events.

Local Frozen Ferns are Cameron Stanley, from Wānaka, Central Otago trio Vicki Liddell, Heidi Winter, 15, and Sophie Winter, 17, and Queenstown’s Bethany Rogers.

Francois Lambrechts, of Dunedin and formerly Queenstown, will be competing in the para division.