Below is a press release.
Estonia ready to host Nordic Open Water Championships and first IRONMAN
Estonian sport and Swimming have been successfully recognized around the world. It is mostly known as a champion of IT and e-governance but it is a home for many incredible athletes. Just in 2014 the World Open Water Swimming Association Man of the year Award went to Estonian Ice swimmer Henri Kaarma. Henri is also one of the key person who currently keeps getting attention to get Ice Swimming recognized as a sport in winter Olympics. As small country who have had an Olympic medal winner like Ivar Stukolkin (Moscow 1980) and IRONMAN Champion Marko Albert (New Zealand 2014 winner) is always aiming high results around the world. Many great Estonian swimmers have been taken part of American Athlete-Academic College Swimming by winning medals and breaking school records in NCAAs. Not so long time ago Estonia had another Historical mark in a Marathon Swimming.
Estonia is in Northern Europe where it’s mostly surrounded with Baltic Sea. Climate with a four season makes country to enjoy Open Water season mostly down to 2,5-3 months. Many Estonians enjoy swimming with the wetsuit and calypso but there is also group of ice swimmers who love to swim in a cold water. Most recently Estonian Breaststoke Specialist , Baltic State Champion and Aquapreneur Merle Liivand made History for Estonian Swimming. She took part of Rio Olympic 2016 Trials in Open Water and finished the task in 10km swimming. (https://swimswam.com/professional-mermaid-merle-liivand-tries-qualify-rio-olympics/ ) She became a First Female Swimmer ever for Estonia who have finished that swim with the World Class Official time limit and made that possible in 18C water. (http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2016/06/merle-liivand-makes-estonian-history-in.html?m=1 ) ” To me It was important to finish and get Official Time no matter what. I was battling with hypothermia but I knew that I have task front of My country ! It has been drastic change for me as being involved with breaststroke and lately sprint side to step into long distance freestyle. I love to challenge myself and it was a great step for me as an athlete!” With in new steps in Open Water Sport Estonia has huge responsibility to host two International meets in Nordic-Baltic State region.
Nordic Open Water Championships
First time in history Estonia has honor to host Nordic Open Water Championships together with Master Championships in University city Tartu (16-17. July). In Saturday there is scheduled 5km Swim for everyone and 3km Swim for Master Swimmers. On Sunday (17.july) there is planned 10km Swim in Tartu. Meet will be run by FINA Open Water rules and water temperature is expected to be usually 20C. “ I hope to see more swimmers in action on 10KM Swims. I truly believe that Nordic and Baltic State areas in Open Water are still doing baby steps Internationally but we have something what for strive it ! “ tells Merle Liivand who knows as a pool swimmer what now means to be Open Water Swimmer.
Registration is still open until July 11, 2016 night and You can get more info : http://www.swimming.ee/sundmus/pohjamaade-avavee-mv-eesti-avavee-mv/
IROMAN of ESTONIA ( Otepää 70.3 )
Estonian Sport has another hard task this summer. Same time when all eyes are on RIO Olympics Estonia will host the First IROMAN in BALTIC region. Only less than month away there is already lakes and pools full of triathletes who are excited to get their IRON pledge. The new IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää is a triathlon festival which will bring together thousands of people to enjoy beautiful nature and a spectacular course in early August Summer Day ( 6 of August ) . IRONMAN 70.3 offers 30 qualifying slots for the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Liivand recently was helping triathletes practice to become more awear of Open Water and swimming in a Lake. “I have done triathlon races in Miami and placed even on a podium. My Open Water career actually started from the taste of triathlon. It is great to combine swimming as a sport in so many ways and get more people into swimming and lifeskills! I am honored to know that Estonia keeps moving strong way on a water sport!“
More information can be found : http://www.ironman.com/otepaa70.3
