Antarctic ICE Swimming Success!

By Stewart_Campbell / 27 November 2018

Antarctic ICE Swimming Success!

In a world-first event for international Ice Swimming and Antarctica tourism, 14 swimmers have successfully braved zero-degree Antarctic waters in nothing more than speedos and completed an amazing 1km swim.

In a world-first for international Ice Swimming and Antarctica tourism, 14 swimmers have successfully braved zero degree Antarctic waters in nothing more than speedos to complete a truly amazing 1km swim! During an Antarctica cruise on board the RCGS Resolute between 16 and 28 November 2018, the highly experienced Ice Swimmers from nine countries did not merely take a 'polar plunge', but swam 1000 metres over a marked course, carefully watched on by expedition staff, doctors and enthusiastic passengers from the ship.

stoychev-swimming.jpgBulgarian swimmer Petar Stoychev recorded the fastest time for this event, a first-ever in the history of swimming in the icy waters of Antarctica. The competition was held near Trinity Island in the Bay of Mikkelson Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula. The swim was 1000 meters at an air temperature of about -2 degrees and a water temperature of -0.8 degrees. Stoychev swam a time of 11 minutes and 8 seconds. Eventually, he even decided to make a show for the people watching the race from the ship by swimping the final meters with a butterfly.

"I am very happy with myself, and there has been a slight tension in the last days because of the constant postponement of the start, but now it is all in history and a Bulgarian is the champion in the first swimming of Antarctica ," Stoychev said.

Argentina's Victoria Mori finished in second place in 12:09 minutes. Third and a half minute behind was Diego Lopez from Spain.

"I did not think of anything but winning and picking up the pace from the beginning, and I did not want to risk putting things right at the last minute, so I told myself that I had to be strong and fast from the first second. When I saw that I was ahead with a difference, I decided to finish the last meters with a butterfly for the joy of the people on the ship" Stoychev said.

"Before I went into the water, my body temperature was 37.3 degrees, and when I stepped on the boat I immediately measured it and it was 30.8 My pulse before the start was 92 beats per minute, and after the euphoria of the victory I forgot to measure it but I quickly recovered and now I feel wonderful, this is one of the biggest victories in my entire career" added the 42-year-old Bulgarian.

The Antarctica ICE Swimming event was organised by Ram Barkai of the International Ice Swimming Association and Stewart Campbell of Expeditions Online and facilitated by One Ocean Expeditions on their new ship Resolute. There is a new expedition planned for November 2019 on the ship Akademik Ioffe. This exceptional 12 day Antarctic voyage will explore remote coastlines in the Antarctic, with a goal undertake extraordinary outdoor pursuits including the 1km Antarctica Ice Swimming event. The expedition is equally open for swim participants as well as friends or supporters. Other adventure options include camping, sea kayaking, ski touring, snowshoeing as well all regular landings by Zodiac. 

For more information contact Expeditions Online.

Following are some other Antarctic trips with exciting adventure options:

 

Antarctica Small Ship Expedition: Ocean Nova

A boutique 10 day adventure cruise to Antarctica. Sail to the beautiful Antarctic Peninsula on the small expedition ship Ocean Nova

WAS6595.00
NOW 5795.00
Find Out More

Classic Antarctica Cruise: MV Ushuaia

A small ship cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula & South Shetland Islands aboard the M/V Ushuaia

FROM 4860.00
Find Out More

Celebrating Antarctica: Seaventure

Explore Antarctica in peak season on board Super-Ice-Class MS Seaventure, discover the great white continent’s striking shores and endless vistas

WAS12645.00
NOW 11381.00
Find Out More

North Spitsbergen M/V Plancius

Search for polar bears on this 7 night cruise on board the ice-strengthened M/V Plancius exploring the northwestern Arctic wilderness of Spitsbergen

FROM 4000.00
Find Out More

30% off!

Polar Bear Express: Ocean Albatros

Board the Ocean Albatros for an express 6 day cruise to spectacular Spitsbergen. Travel with expert lecturers and look out for wildlife such as polar

WAS5290.00
NOW 3703.00
Find Out More

Svalbard Explorer: Ocean Adventurer

This expedition aboard the luxurious Ocean Adventurer is the perfect introduction to Spitsbergen and the incomparable beauty of the High Arctic

WAS7395.00
NOW 5177.00
Find Out More

Early Booking Offer 2025

Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge Best of Svalbard

A polar bear safari cruise with the luxury M/V Sea Spirit exploring the northern reaches of Svalbard

WAS8895.00
NOW 7561.00
Find Out More

Around Spitsbergen M/V Plancius

A 9 night voyage around Svalbard, on board the comfortable M/V Plancius, searching for polar bears, walrus, reindeer, Arctic birdlife and flora

FROM 5400.00
Find Out More

Related Blogs

New Trips to See Emperor Penguins

Arctic Ice Swimmers Success!

Antarctica Cruises Restart!

Antarctic ICE Swimming Success!

Expeditions Online Newsletter

Sign up to be an Expeditions Online insider and receive info on exclusive deals, discounts and more!

Subscribe

* indicates required