Wanaka has a new age-group world champion in ice swimmer Rachel Armstrong.
Lake Wanaka was too warm, at 16degC, for training so Armstrong prepared by sitting every day in a chest freezer of icy water.
Armstrong (39) ploughed her way to victory in her 35-39 year age-group Ice Mile (1000m) race at Sameons, France, on Saturday, finishing in 15min 7.26sec.
It was a substantial personal best in sub-5degC conditions for Armstrong, who qualified for the world championships with a 15min 20.79sec performance in the Ice Mile at New Zealand’s first ice swimming event in Alexandra in July.
Swimmer and senior architectual graduate Rachel Armstrong has joined Wanaka’s ranks of age-group world champions. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK
Seven swimmers represented New Zealand at the world championships in France.
The other six were from the North Island.
