On St Stephen’s Day, 26 December 2016, the traditional 70th Alfred Nikodem Memorial took place beside Prague’s National Theatre, organised by our club. Swimmers entered the chilly Vltava at 4.2°C, colder than in recent years. Fortunately, it did not rain, and the air reached 6.6°C.
The event’s growing popularity continued, with another participation record: 366 swimmers, including 274 men and 92 women. Once again they could use the magnificent Žofín Palace as their base. The pontoon on Slovanský Island served as both start and finish. Several thousand spectators watched the Christmas competition from the embankments, Legion Bridge and nearby parts of Slovanský and Střelecký islands.
The main partner of the seventieth anniversary edition 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. Financial support also came from Prague City Hall and the Prague 1 district, the event’s co-organiser in its modern history.
Opening ceremony
At the opening assembly we remembered the recently deceased cold-water swimmer, host-club member and dear friend Antonín Kutil. We also celebrated this year’s swimming achievements and presented commemorative trophies. Nikola Hájková, who swims for Bohemians in summer and as a guest for I. PKO Praha in winter, crossed the English Channel this year, while Abhejali Bernardová of Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team Zlín crossed the Tsugaru Strait. Congratulations and trophies also went to Zdenka Krčálová, likewise a Bohemians summer swimmer and I. PKO winter guest, who last year crossed both the English Channel and the Catalina Channel near Los Angeles. Addressing swimmers and spectators and presenting trophies and flowers were Prague 1 Mayor Oldřich Lomecký, Czech Swimming Federation chairman Petr Ryška, chief referee and the second Czechoslovak English Channel swimmer Jan Novák, and event director and I. PKO Praha chairman Tomáš Prokop. As usual, Michal Štěrba provided the commentary.
750, 300 and 100 metres
Swimmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, England, Argentina, Russia and Austria took part over the traditional distances of 750, 300 and 100 metres.
A total of 130 competitors tackled the longest, timed distance: 750 metres over two laps. The 300 and 100 metres were untimed, allowing swimmers to enjoy the beautiful Christmas atmosphere at their leisure.
Our oldest cold-water swimmer, Božena Černá, aged 86 and representing I. PKO Praha, also completed the 100 metres. The youngest participant was Belgium’s Clara Charlier, aged thirteen. Among the swimmers were actors and host-club members Jiří Langmajer and Luboš Veselý.
And the winners are…
The men’s winner was Rostislav Vítek of FIDES Brno in 9:16, followed by Petr Šlajs of I. PKO Praha and Michal Slanina of FIDES Brno.
The women’s winner was Lenka Štěrbová of I. PKO Praha in 8:58, making her the overall winner. Victoria Mori of I. PKO Praha was second and Magda Okurková of FIDES Brno third.
The awards took place in Žofín Palace’s beautiful Small Hall, hosted with wit and energy by Adéla Gondíková, assisted by Jiří Langmajer. The programme also included the Prague 1 Mayor’s Cup. On their fifth attempt, the host club won this home-event trophy for the first time, thanks to Lenka Štěrbová, Petr Šlajs and Victoria Mori. Winners received their prizes, followed by a raffle with generous gifts from the event’s partners.
Of course, we plan another Alfred Nikodem Memorial next year. As tradition dictates, it will take place on St Stephen’s Day, 26 December 2017, beside the National Theatre. We look forward to seeing you.
More winter events to join
Finally, we invite you to the traditional cold-water swimmers’ baptism in the Vltava at Prague-Braník on Sunday 8 January 2017 at 10:30, in the channel beside the Kotva campsite: Nádraží Braník stop, trams 3 and 17.
Our club is organising two more Czech Winter Swimming Cup races this season. First is Braník Ice on 4 February 2017, in the Vltava near our Braník clubhouse. Second is the Czech Winter Swimming Breaststroke Championships on 4 March 2017 in Podolí Swimming Stadium’s unheated outdoor pool. You are warmly welcome, as spectators or competitors.
Partners of the 70th Alfred Nikodem Memorial
Results
ČT Sport report: Cold-Water Swimmers on the Vltava 2016
Czech Television report: Události, 26 December 2016
Czech Television report: Branky, body, vteřiny, 26 December 2016
More video reports
- TV Nova report: Televizní noviny, 26 December 2016 (around 38:35),
- TV Barrandov report: Naše zprávy, 26 December 2016 (around 4:14),
- Prima report: TOP STAR, 26 December 2016, cold-water swimming – interview with Jiří Langmajer,
- Swimmers enjoy the cold Vltava at the 70th Alfred Nikodem Memorial, 26 December 2016 – ceskatelevize.cz.
Daily newspaper coverage
- Pražský deník, pages 1 and 6,
- Haló noviny, page 2,
- Kladenský deník, page 1,
- Kladenský deník – Kladensko.
Magazine coverage
Online reports
- Cold-water swimmers race: water at 4.2 degrees was too warm for them – zpravy.idnes.cz,
- Over 360 cold-water swimmers in the Vltava for the anniversary competition – lidovky.cz,
- Record number of cold-water swimmers enter the Vltava on St Stephen’s Day – ČUS Sportuj s námi,
- Cold-water swimming anniversary: record turnout at Nikodem Memorial – euro.cz,
- 366 swimmers compete in central Prague’s cold-water race – ceskenoviny.cz,
- 366 swimmers compete in central Prague’s cold-water race – tyden.cz,
- 366 swimmers compete in central Prague’s cold-water race – prazsky.denik.cz,
- Come and watch cold-water swimmers beside the National Theatre on St Stephen’s Day – pravapraha.cz,
- Langmajer shows off his swimming trunks: a plunge into the icy Vltava in front of Gondíková! – super.cz,
- Langmajer chooses the freezing Vltava: what a walrus! – ahaonline.cz,
- mLiga – m.liga.net.
Jaroslav Kroš’s photo gallery
Ivan Landa’s photo gallery
