Geneva - Event

The annual Christmas Cup swimming competition is a chance for all the family to test their nerve - and temperature threshold. All ages battle it out in a freezing Lake Geneva, on the quay of the Jardin Anglais.

First held in 1934, the 125-metre race traditionally took its course between two bridges over the River Rhône, although for security reasons the start and end points shifted along to the quay of the Jardin Anglais within the famous Rade of Lake Geneva. The water temperature at this time of year stands at around 4-5 degrees Celsius, with the air temperature anywhere between minus 10 and 10 degrees Celsius.

The race (with 600 entrants) is open to all members of the public, although no swimmer should be less than 13 years old.