Original article: Nadadora chilena Bárbara Hernández recibe reconocimiento mundial tras cruce ida y vuelta del Canal de la Mancha: primera latina en lograrlo «Ice Mermaid» Continues to Make History: First Latina to Win the Alison Streeter Award in England Bárbara Hernández, known as the «Ice Mermaid,» is a renowned Chilean swimmer specializing in cold water and open water swimming, recognized for holding 4 Guinness World Records, being a world champion in her field, and completing the challenging «7 Seas» challenge. She has achieved historic milestones, including the longest swim in icy waters (4. 5°C) and a double swim across the English Channel.
Chilean swimmer Bárbara Hernández, affectionately known as the «Ice Mermaid,» has made history as the first Latina to receive the prestigious «Alison Streeter Award» in England. This accolade honors the fastest round-trip swim in open waters for the year. Hernández announced her remarkable achievement on her social media, sharing a video she deemed «a significant accomplishment for both Chile and Latin America.
» Watch the video on Instagram This accolade, bestowed by the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation, celebrates the double swim across the English Channel completed by Hernández in July 2025 in a time of 27 hours and 18 minutes, making her the first Chilean and South American to undertake this challenging journey. «Officially the First Latina to win the Alison Streeter Award in England!!!! Our crossing (round trip) in the English Channel took us 27 hours and 18 minutes (remember how challenging that was?
OMG! ),» the athlete wrote alongside the footage capturing her over 100-kilometer endeavor. In her statements, the «Ice Mermaid» emphasized the significance of the award beyond her personal achievement: «This recognition is deeply meaningful, not just personally but for Chile and Latin America.
Historically, these awards have been dominated by swimmers from Europe and the Northern Hemisphere, so receiving this as a Chilean sets an important precedent. It demonstrates that we can also compete at the highest level from our region in demanding environments like the English Channel. More than an individual achievement, it’s a step towards paving the way for other Latin American athletes.
» Hernández also expressed her gratitude towards the organizing federation and her team: «Thank you to the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation for recognizing our double crossing as the fastest of the season and highlighting teamwork. » She added emotionally, «My utmost pride lies in representing our country 🇨🇱 with everything I am, and each of our swims that secures a place on the world stage is a testament to the importance of dreaming big! Despite the adversities we face, our perseverance speaks for us.
» The award comes just weeks before Bárbara Hernández is inducted into the «Hall of Fame» as an honorary swimmer by the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in a ceremony in San Diego, California. There, she will become the first Chilean and the seventh Latina woman to receive that honor. «Thanks to the team that made this possible and to every sponsor and person who believed in me and my team in 2025.
LET’S GO TOGETHER for 2026 because only a few weeks are left until entering the World Swimming Hall of Fame! » Hernández concluded.