Geneva: The Christmas Cup celebrates its 90th anniversary

“It’s number 86^e edition, but the Christmas Cup is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, proudly says Daniel Beran, member of the organizing committee. Since 1934, there have only been four cancellations, twice during the Second World War, once because of a dangerous black breeze and another due to Covid.

The 2024 edition is crowned with success, since 4,400 swimmers registered, a record, with 100 more participants than last year. The event is spread over two days to cope with the crowds, with the comedy series on Saturday and the sports and comedy series on Sunday.

This Saturday morning, the sun is out and the conditions are ideal with the blue water of the lake contrasting with the snow on the Jura. A real postcard setting for those who jump into the water. The competitors follow one another on the starting pontoon, carefully disguised. In sausages, tea bags or bananas, there is something for everyone.

After Marie Barbey-Chpuis, the administrative councilor responsible for sport in the City of Geneva, it is the turn of the mayor, Christina Kitsos, to give the starting gun. She lends herself to the game, with good grace, and says she appreciates “the supportive and friendly character” of the event.

“The Cup is a year of organization for the nine people on the committee,” explains Daniel Beran. Most are former or current members of Genève Natation. During the event itself, we can count on the participation of 150 volunteers, around fifty of whom come from the waterpolo club.”

This year, the races start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., a long day for the Geneva rescue teams, the Navigation Brigade, the SIS and the City Samaritans, who watch over the safety of the participants. You have to make sure that everything goes well, 100 meters in 7.7 degree water, that requires a certain physical condition.

Judging by the few swimmers who come forward when the announcer asks them if this is their first participation, most are regulars. “Les Ploufs” are disguised as frogs, and this is their fifth year. They train once a week at the Bains de Pâquis from the end of summer. Coco is the group's stylist and the disguise is really neat.

We also come as a family, like Céline and Bruno with their daughter Romane, 17, who is swimming for the second time. All three are disguised as colored pencils and are part of a group of 25 people. “Cold water is good for your morale,” enthuses the teenager.

Many companies, whose employees are motivated to take on the challenge, are present, such as La Mobilière or the BCP bank. They share the starting pontoon, some dressed in the company logo, others as Santa Claus, and they are generously watered by “the bucket volunteers” of the General Hospice. Each year, the institution offers around thirty beneficiaries.

“We supervise and support them,” notes Daniel Beran. This allows them to discover the event and integrate into Geneva life.” The Christmas Cup is popular in Switzerland and even beyond its borders. “We come from far away to swim, from Paris, Italy and even Canada. People come to spend the holidays with their families and take the opportunity to take a dip in the cold water.”

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Judith Monfrini is a journalist for the local section. With a legal background, she obtained her diploma from the Journalism and Media Training Center (CFJM) in 2015. She worked for more than ten years for the Médiaone group. (Radio Lac, One fm)More info

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