Kryathlon’s World Premiere Exceeded Expectations – First Prague Cold-Water Swimming Club

Beautiful sunshine, following a frosty morning, accompanied the world premiere of Kryathlon, the first true winter triathlon. Competitors swam 250 metres in the Vltava’s icy 3.2°C water, ran 2.5 kilometres and finished with 3 kilometres of cross-country skiing. Unexpectedly strong interest forced the organisers to close registration early. Fifty brave competitors took part. Who better to commentate than English Channel swimmer Stanislav Bartůšek?

The youngest entrant, accomplished triathlete Petr Šlajs, mastered the course in 23:49, ahead of fellow triathlete Pavel Mužíček. Winter swimmers’ honour was upheld in third place by Matěj Červený of I. plavecký klub otužilců Praha (I. PKO). Matěj enjoyed the loudest support, particularly from women: he was running for the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer, an event partner. Radka Srbová of I. PKO won the women’s race by a wide margin over Dana Zbořilová and Gabriela Ježková, both of TJ Haná. Anyone not ready for the full icy swim could try a shorter, non-competitive version with a 25-metre swim.

The event also served as the Václav Pátek Memorial, remembering a fine sportsman who loved and excelled at all three disciplines.

Encouraged by enthusiastic responses from competitors and spectators, and considerable media interest, race director Jack Bright promised at the awards ceremony that this first edition would certainly not be the last. Work on the next one was already beginning.