1 / 4   Almost 150 brave open water swimmers from 12 countries raced in the freezing Neva River through the center of St. Petersburg, Russia during the Big Neva Cup of Ice Swimming over the weekend. /VCG Photo

2 / 4   Though 40 cm of ice still covers much of the Neva, these are the preferred conditions for the St. Petersburg Winter Swimming Federation that hosts the event. /VCG Photo

3 / 4   Temperatures dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius. /VCG Photo

4 / 4   The event provides stunning views of St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum for those hardy enough to take part. /VCG Photo