Viennese of the week

Record in the ice: this is the coolest guy in Austria

Josef Köberl in the Köberlsee on the Hintertuxer Glescher.(Bild: Mag. Barbara Anderl)

Josef Köberl is an enthusiastic ice swimmer. With his latest record, he has not only entered the Austrian history books, but has also catapulted himself into the world elite. Our Viennese of the week. 

Josef Köberl is not a fan of crowded swimming lakes. The danger is not really great either - when Köberl gets into the water, others consider putting on their skates. The Viennese by choice is an enthusiastic ice swimmer and is one of the best in his profession. This is also confirmed by his latest record - which has now been officially confirmed by the International Ice Swimming Association in South Africa.

The Austrian record in 4.33 degree cold water.(Bild: Mag. Barbara Anderl)

In April in Zauchensee
Köberl already made history on 27 April this year: with a distance of 2424 meters in Zauchensee, he secured the Austrian record in ice swimming. He had to complete 12 laps of 202 meters at a water temperature of just 4.33 degrees.

Then it was off to the sauna
However, Köberl persevered and got out of the water after exactly 55 minutes and 26 seconds, shivering but with an icy smile. "Then it was straight into the sauna tent," Köberl recalls.
With this performance, Köberl catapulted himself straight to 7th place in the world rankings. Our Viennese of the week.