Central sisters Sophie and Heidi Winter bagged medals and broke records at the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) World Ice Swimming Championships in Italy.

The pair were part of the 17-strong Frozen Ferns squad.

Mum Bridgette Winter said it had been a hectic but fun week in Molveno, Northern Italy.

Sixteen-year-old Heidi made history as the first Frozen Fern to win an overall gold medal at the championships.

On the third day of swimming she won an overall gold in the 100m freestyle with a time of 1:04.82, finishing 0.52 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

Heidi's performances across the championships resulted in six age-group gold medals, three age-group world records, and two overall bronze medals.

Older sister Sophie (18) comes home with a full set of age group medals. She won an overall silver in the 50m breaststroke and on the final day added an overall gold in the 100m breaststroke.

Sophie Winter. PHOTO: Frozen Ferns Facebook

Sophie finished more than a second ahead of the competition in the breaststroke with a time of 1:25.86. She additionally earned overall silver medal in the 50m butterfly earlier in the championships. 

Sophie also earned an age group gold in 50m butterfly, an age group silver in the 100m breaststroke and an age group bronze in 200m individual medley. 

Heidi’s other results were age group gold medals in 100m backstroke, 250m freestyle, 100m freestyle (and a new age group world record), 50m freestyle (and a new age group world record), 100m butterfly, and overall bronze in the 100m backstroke and an age group bronze in

the 200m individual medley. 

Ice Swimming New Zealand's Susan Sherwen said she was “blown away’’ by the team's success in Italy.

"I thought we did well at New Zealand's first World Championships two years ago, but this team has blown us all away. This year we have been making a big dent in the Open Medals as well. We are all very proud of the team."

Swimming Otago congratulated the Otago swimmers competing - as well as the Winters, Cameron Stanley from Wānaka and Emilia Finer from Dunedin, both won medals in a range of races and strokes.

Comments from fans and locals on social media concluded the results were “amazing’’, ‘’exciting’’ and suggested a street parade should be organised to congratulate and celebrate the swimmers. 

The Alexandra Swimming Club is holding the Alexandra Challenge Cup swimming meet at the Alexandra Pool on February 15 -16, so local swimmers will be in action back at their home pool soon. 

Read more: Central’s Frozen Ferns in Italy for Ice Swimming World Champs

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]