A young 17-year-old Polish swimmer swam to the biggest upset of the International Ice Swimming Association 4th World Championship in Głogów, Poland. Karolina Szalast swam to her first world title in the 250m freestyle, just touching out the long-dominant Alisa Fatum of Germany, 2:56:81 to 2:57:04. The pair were never separated by much, each taking a very slight lead at different points in the race held in 3.00°C water temperature.

Of course, the Queen of the Ice had already won the 1000m freestyle, 500m freestyle, 100m individual medley, and 100m freestyle to go along with her 5th place finish in the 50m freestyle, a 5th place finish in the 50m butterfly, and two silver medal performances in the 50m backstroke and 4x250m freestyle relay with her German teammates. But Szalast had a slew of great performances including a silver medal swim in the 100m freestyle in 1:06:11 to Fatum, a gold medal in the 50m butterfly in 32:08, and a gold medal for Team Poland’s 4x250m freestyle relay. At 17, her future in the ice is very bright.

IISA 4th World Championship – Women’s 1000m Freestyle – Top 10 Finishers:

1. Karolina Szalast (17) 2:56:81
2. Alisa Fatum (27) 2:57:04
3. Hanna Bakuniak (25) 3:14:47
4. Caroline Saxon (31) 3:18:22
5. Nichola Murch (39) 3:30:07
6. Deniz Kayadelen (35) 3:41:29
7. Hanna Szebesczyk (21) 3:41:99
8. Aleksandra Kabelis (29) 3:49:88
9. Olivia De Waal (29) 3:50:95
10. Wiktoria Lewandowska (31) 3:59:56

29 women competed in the 250m freestyle. For full results, visit here.

Livestreaming of this week’s IISA 4th World Championship between February 4th – 6th is here. All the details of the Championships are posted here. The official Championship website is posted here.

The livecast of the final Competition Day 3 included 14 heats of 250m freestyle + 9 heats of 100m individual medley + 10 heats of 50m butterfly + 20 heats of 50m freestyle + 2 heats of 4x250m freestyle + Closing Ceremony.

Copyright © 2008 – 2022 by World Open Water Swimming Association

• Author
• Recent Posts

Steven Munatones

Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference.  He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984).  Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.

Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)

• Winter Swimming Clubs Around the World Compete Internationally - 01/30/2023
• Marie-Therese Bartl, Michał Perl Win Freestyle Sprint Titles at Winter World Swimming Championships - 01/29/2023
• Team Germany Captures Freestyle Sprint Relay Title at Winter Swimming World Championships - 01/28/2023