Sunderland Sensation: Teen Swimmer Ready to Make Waves at World Ice Championships

A schoolgirl is gearing up to dive into frigid waters as the youngest member of Great Britain’s ice swimming squad.

Frankie Jackson, hailing from Sunderland, has been chosen as one of 49 swimmers to journey to Molveno, Italy, this weekend to represent her nation in the world championships.

Having just celebrated her 14th birthday last month, Frankie has been honing her skills at one of England’s chilliest open water spots, Sweethope Lough in Northumberland.

Confronted with the idea of diving into freezing water, she remarked: “I just sort of deal with it really.”

She remarked: “It’s before I enter that I feel more anxious, but once you actually get in, it’s a relief as it’s not as cold as you expected it to be.

“However, your face, hands, and feet really feel it. I just don’t enjoy it when it’s windy and there are waves.”

Frankie is under the guidance of fellow GB ice team member Fenwick Ridley.

On Thursday, both athletes encountered a significant challenge as they dove into Sweethope following the chilliest night of the season.

Temperatures had plunged overnight to around -10C (14F), resulting in the water temperature being merely 1C (33.8F) that morning.

This marked the first occasion for Frankie to swim through an ice channel, a path previously carved by Mr. Ridley with an axe.

Frankie has been competing with the City of Sunderland team since she was six.

Mr. Ridley recognized her potential when she first participated in open water swimming.

“Her swimming rate and speed were never hindered by the cold water, even as conditions became chillier,” he stated.

“She didn’t hesitate or falter when entering, and I noted a remarkable level of resilience and strength.

“I decided to keep an eye on her as it’s quite rare for someone so young.”

Competitors this weekend will swim various distances in open water where temperatures are below 5C (23F).

Frankie will be restricted to a maximum of seven minutes submerged and hopes to achieve the fastest time during that duration.

During the world championships, she will tackle three events: 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, and 100m freestyle.

She will be taking part in the junior division for competitors aged 14 to 17.

“She does have a threshold, and we need to ensure not to let her exceed it,” Mr. Ridley remarked.

“Younger physiques tend to get colder more swiftly, but she can still manage and maintain.

“With more training, she’s acquiring a distinctive superpower, which is brown fat cells, our temperature regulator.

“She possesses an extraordinary capacity to adapt at this stage.”