A RECORD-breaking Scottish ice swimmer is leaving for Russia today to compete in what is set to be her coldest challenge to date.

Jade Perry, 36, who holds the women’s British record for the fastest 1km ice swim, will fly to Murmansk to compete in the 2019 World International Ice Swimming Championships.

The bi-annual races will take place in a 25m pool that has been carved out of the ice with a chainsaw. Ice swimming takes place in water with a temperature of less than 5C. Competitors must only wear regular swimming costumes. The competition pool will be 0C, with outside air temperatures likely to be between -14 to -20.

Helensburgh-based Perry, who works for Network Rail is set to compete in the women’s 1k race, 50m front crawl and the 4x250m country relay. Perry received a boost before she set off in the shape of sponsorship from Scottish ice-cream maker Mackie’s.