Congratulations to Heidi Winter who won the Central Otago Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award for her outstanding achievements in Ice Swimming.

Heidi was selected for the New Zealand Ice Swimming team (The Frozen Ferns) to compete at the World Ice Swimming Championships held in Molveno, Italy earlier this year.  Heidi’s performances across the championship earned her a place in history as the first New Zealander to ever win an overall gold medal at a World Ice Swimming Championships.  She also earned two overall bronze medals, six age-group gold medals and three age-group world records.  

Additionally, Heidi gained a junior ice swimming world record, gold medal and three silver medals at the New Zealand and Oceania Pool Championships in July 2024.  Since winning the Central Otago Junior Sportswoman of the Year Award, Heidi has also competed in the New Zealand Open Water Ice Swimming Championships and picked up her fifth junior world record and the New Zealand Open Women's title in the 500 metre freestyle event.