Alfred Nikodem Memorial 2015

Updated with the midday news, Jaromír Váňa’s video report and Antonín Kutil’s photo gallery.
The Alfred Nikodem Memorial took place for the 69th time beside Prague’s National Theatre. The oldest cold-water swimming event draws more swimmers every year. This year set another record: an incredible 340 swimmers, fifty more than last year. They used the magnificent Žofín Palace as their base and started from pontoons on Slovanský Island, which also served as the finish. Crowds watched the Christmas competition from the embankments, Legion Bridge and adjoining parts of Slovanský and Střelecký islands. The traditional St Stephen’s Day race enjoyed beautiful sunshine and an exceptionally “warm” Vltava at 6.9°C.

This year’s main partner was Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna, the health insurer for employees in banking, insurance and construction.

Once again, the event was part of the Czech Union of Sport’s “Sportuj s námi” — “Play Sport with Us” — project.

Opening ceremony

Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Photo: Jaroslav Kroš

At the opening assembly we briefly remembered swimmers Miloš Mityska and Jakub Hašek, who had passed away and whose portraits appeared on this year’s commemorative badges. I. PKO Praha also honoured Radek Táborský and Aleš Rucký for their successful English Channel crossings this year. Abhejali Bernardová was recognised for crossing the channel between Catalina Island and Los Angeles in August. Prague 1 Mayor Oldřich Lomecký welcomed swimmers and spectators on behalf of the co-organising district, as did Petr Ryška, elected Czech Swimming Federation chairman in September. Together with chief referee Jan Novák, an English Channel swimmer from the 1970s, they presented commemorative trophies. All then posed with the oldest participant, Božena Černá, 85, I. PKO Praha, and the youngest, Barbora Vobořilová, fourteen, I. PKO Praha, and Vojislav Štěrba, fourteen, SCPAP.

P1530507 — Alfred Nikodem Memorial. Photo: Milan Vanický

There were three distances: 750, 300 and 100 metres. Only the 750 metres was a timed competitive race. The shorter distances were untimed, allowing swimmers to enjoy the lovely Christmas atmosphere at their leisure.

And the winners are…

A total of 85 swimmers tackled the longest distance over two laps. The men’s winner was Rostislav Vítek of FIDES Brno in 8:59, followed by our I. PKO Praha swimmer Pavel Mužíček and Martin Homolka, also of FIDES Brno.

Alfred Nikodem Memorial 2015. Photo: Martin Braun

The women’s winner was Lenka Štěrbová in 9:02, just behind Rostislav Vítek. Lenka represents Sport Club Plaveckého areálu Pardubice, SCPAP. Renata Nováková, also SCPAP, was second, and Magda Okurková of FIDES Brno third.

A first: an African participant

André Gabriel De Brito. Photo: Jaroslav Kroš

A special feature of this year’s event was its first-ever African participant, André Gabriel De Brito, originally from Angola. He successfully completed 100 metres alongside Tomáš Prokop, I. PKO Praha chairman and event director, and Tomáš’s wife Taťána Prokopová. Angola is close to the equator, so it really is rather warmer there than here. Nevertheless, André completed the course despite a relatively short preparation.

Jiří Langmajer and Adéla Gondíková. Photo: Martin Braun

Popular actor Jiří Langmajer took part in the Alfred Nikodem Memorial for the second time, representing I. PKO Praha. Except while he was in the water, journalists surrounded him almost constantly for interviews. So, dear actors, now you know where to hide from the press: in the Vltava…

Awards and raffle

The awards took place in Žofín Palace’s beautiful Small Hall. Czech Swimming Federation chairman Petr Ryška presented trophies to the three fastest women and men. Alongside the traditional 750-metre awards, the programme included the Prague 1 Mayor’s Cup, decided by the lowest combined placings of each club’s three best swimmers. Mayor Oldřich Lomecký announced and presented it himself. By the narrowest margin, last year’s winning Pardubice trio retained the trophy: Lenka Štěrbová and sisters Renata and Iveta Nováková. Although second place was not formally announced, FIDES Brno deserves a mention for fighting for the Mayor’s Cup virtually to the last second.

Women’s medallists. Photo: Jaroslav Kroš

Alongside the fastest swimmers, the swimmer who spent longest in the water also received an award. Karel Paul of Klub Ledních Medvědů Praha successfully defended his position as slowest swimmer, finishing in 23:40. Anyone wishing to challenge him should remember that being slowest without being disqualified is not entirely easy: competitive swimming rules impose a maximum time in the water. At 6.9°C, that limit was 26 minutes.

A raffle concluded proceedings. Winners had to be present to claim their prize. Agama donated caps, swimming shirts and discount vouchers, presented by Jiří Langmajer. Winners and other leading competitors received books from Mladá fronta a.s. Many swimmers had already left before the draw, improving the chances of those who stayed for the awards. Adéla Gondíková hosted everything with great wit.

That successfully concluded the 69th Alfred Nikodem Memorial, leaving the organisers to clean up and complete the remaining essential jobs. Naturally, another edition is planned for St Stephen’s Day, 26 December 2016, beside the National Theatre. It will mark the seventieth anniversary. We look forward to seeing you.

More winter events to join

P.S. Our club is organising two further Czech Winter Swimming Cup races this season. Braník Ice will take place on 6 February 2016 in the Vltava near our Braník clubhouse. The Czech Winter Swimming Breaststroke Championships follow on 5 March 2016 in Podolí Swimming Stadium’s unheated outdoor pool. You are warmly invited as spectators or competitors.