Mackie’s of Scotland Sponsorship Deal for British Record Holder

BRITAIN’S record-breaking ice swimmer is leaving for Russia tomorrow to compete in what is set to be her coldest swim to date.

Jade Perry, 36, who currently holds the women’s British record for the fastest 1km ice swim, will fly to Murmansk to compete in the 2019 World International Ice Swimming Championships.

The bi-annual races will take place this year from 15-17 March in a 25m pool that has been carved out of the ice in Lake Semenovskoe with a chainsaw.

Jade’s incredible drive and determination has been recognised by luxury ice cream producer Mackie’s of Scotland, as she has scooped a sponsorship deal ahead of her competition.

Ice swimming takes place in water that is less than 5 degrees and competitors must only wear regular swimming costumes. The competition pool will be 0 degrees Celsius, with outside air temperatures likely to be between -14 to -20 – colder than a household freezer.

Helensburgh-based Jade is set to compete in the women’s Ice Kilometre race, 50m front crawl and in the 4x250m country relay.

Jade, who works for Network Rail when she’s not in Scotland’s lochs testing her strength and stamina, said: “I’m so proud to have been selected for the GB team, and will be working as hard as I can to make everyone proud – though I am nervous about how my body will react to swimming in such cold water!”

To put the freezing temperatures into perspective, when you think a swimming pool is on the cold side, it’ll likely be no less than 30 degrees C.

The temperatures are so extreme, that once out of the icy water, competitors will often experience a phenomenon called “after-drop” where the body reacts to the cold exposure and can trigger violent shaking.

Ahead of her competition in Russia and other exciting challenges throughout the year, Jade successfully secured a year-long sponsorship from luxury ice cream brand Mackie’s of Scotland.

Jade added: “Ice Swimming is such a new sport and is not currently funded in the way that more established sports are, so having Mackie’s get behind me is amazing.

“And the chocolate and ice cream is helping me show my appreciation to my work colleagues and swimming club for their patience and support with my training – especially the lifeguards!”

Karin Hayhow, Marketing Director at Mackie’s, said: “Jade is certainly courageous. We’re impressed with her dedication to doing her best, testing her endurance and love of the cold.

“It’s a fitting partnership, too, with our saying that it’s never too cold for ice cream, and hers that it’s never too cold for swimming!”

Originally from Hockley in Essex, Jade moved to Scotland for its abundance of open water so that she could train more easily.

Jade set the women’s British record in Hatfield Doncaster in 3.6 degree Celsius water, in February 2018 for the fastest 1km ice swim with a time of 14 minutes, 55 seconds and 10 hundredths.

Anyone interested in learning more about ice swimming and the risks involved can read: https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/risks-cold-water/

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