2016 Icelandic Swimming Championships
- April 22-24
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Live Results
The Icelandic Swimming Championships took place April 22nd-24th in Reykjavik, a meet dominated by a small number of swimmers winning the majority of the events.
The men’s side was led by NCAA breaststroker from the University of Alabama Anton McKee who collected 5 gold medals and a bronze. McKee was victorious in the 50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM to go along with a pair of relay wins. McKee was Iceland’s only male swimmer at the World Championships last summer, making the semi-finals in the 200 breast. Despite not competing in the race, McKee swam a time trial 200 breast going 2:12.87 at the meet. McKee achieved FINA ‘B’ cuts in the 100 and 200 breast.
Also collecting numerous gold medals on the men’s side was Kristinn Þorarinsson, Aron Orn Stefansson, and Þrostur Bjarnason. Þorarinsson swept the backstroke events, Stefansson won the sprint free events and Bjarnson collected gold in the 400, 800 and 1500 freestyle.
Other Winners on the men’s side:
- Daniel Palsson- 100 fly
- Baldvin Sigmarsson- 200 fly, 400 IM
- Agust Juliusson- 50 fly
- Kristofer Sigurosson- 200 free
- Viktor Vilbergsson- 200 breast
The women’s side was dominated by Hrafnhildur Luthersdottir who won five individual gold medals to go along with a relay gold. Luthersdottir won all three breaststroke events to go along with both individual medley’s. She was one of two Icelandic swimmers to final at the World Championships last summer, finishing 7th in the 50 breast and 6th in the 100. She also tied for 8th in the semi-finals of the 200, ultimately losing the swim-off. Luthersdottir earned a FINA ‘A’ cut in the 200 breast in 2:26.71, sneaking under the 2:26.94 standard. She also narrowly missed ‘A’ cuts in the 100 breast and 200 IM, but still was under the ‘B’ cut in those two plus the 400 IM.
Also collecting 6 gold medals was Eyglo Osk Gustafsdottir, who swept the backstroke events to go along with 3 relay wins. Gustafsdottir was a finalist in the 200 back at the World Championships last summer placing 8th, and also was a semi-finalist in the 100 back finishing 15th. Gustafsdottir earned the FINA ‘A’ time in the 200 back touching in 2:09.92, under the 2:10.60. She just missed the standard in the 100 back but still easily earned the ‘B’ cut. Bryndis Hansen won four gold medals, all individual, claiming the 50, 100 and 200 free and the 100 fly. Hansen snuck under the ‘B’ cut in all but the 200 free.
Other winners on the women’s side:
- Inga Cryer- 200 fly
- Ingibjorg Jonsdottir- 50 fly
- Sunneva Frioriksdottir- 400 free
- Bara Bjorgvinsdottir- 800 free
- Eydis Kolbeinsdottir- 1500 free
I know this is a small point, but Icelandic naming customs are completely different. The women you mentioned don’t use Luthersdottir or Gustafsdottir as we would our last names. There are no surnames in Iceland. Rather, these two women are the daughter of Luther or Gustaf. If they have brothers, those guys are Lutherson or Gustafson. There are even a few people who choose their mothers’ names: Hildasdottir, Ingesson, etc. I think the best way to identify them is either by a full name or by first name only.