Bruno Dobelmann attempted to complete 5 Ice Miles in 24 hours. UNFORTUNATELY he injured his foot during the third mile, and he finished it, deciding to call it quits. Bruno had an army of supporters, a medical team, divers and boats. Yet, going forward, IISA has decided not to support such endeavours.
Madness and one’s desire to conquer new limits is not something that can be controlled, its a personal thing. IISA respect that and since we had no rules about this, IISA decided to recognise Bruno epic achievement. However, we don’t wish to encourage Ice Swimmers to swim to their death. We are very well aware that we are in an extreme and dangerous sport, but, we also know that the ICE, inevitably, always wins.
So please, we can’t and have no desire to control anyone’s free spirit and challenges, but as IISA, in the future, we will not recognise attempts as such. IISA doesn’t support such endeavours. IISA was not informed about the swim.
Nevertheless, amazing feat by Bruno. A well known (mad one) Prof Beat Kenchne from Zurich accompanied Bruno. We are looking forward to see the the outcome of that research. Prof Beat has done 10 Iron man in 10 days, he himself is a truly mad sports man. He accompanied Ram Barkai and Andrew Chin in their swim in Lake Zurich 2009. It was this swim that spun the idea with Ram Barkai to set up Ice Swimming as an international sport.
So please, be mad, be courageous, but be safe.
A true champion knows his limits…
Mohamed Ali