Freediver Arthur Guérin-Boëri has set a new world record for diving under ice. The feat was achieved in the open water of a lake near the city of Heinola, in southern Finland.
The French national swam a distance of 120 metres under water while holding his breath for about three minutes, without any extra oxygen or diving fins.
The five-time world champion of the sport was wearing a two-millimetre-thick wetsuit and swimming goggles while diving in the two-degree water. Nine holes were drilled in the ice along the route to ensure the diver's safety.
Guérin-Boëri's achievement has yet to be formally confirmed by Guinness World Records.
The world record for diving under ice has now changed hands three times in just over a month. First, Czech diver David Vencl set a new world best in February when he swam just over 80 metres in a time of two minutes and 42 seconds at a disused quarry near Prague.
Then, Finnish diver Johanna Nordblad broke Vencl's record on 18 March, when she swam 103 metres under the ice of a lake in the Kainuu region. Nordblad's record lasted less than two weeks before Guérin-Boëri broke it.
Vencl wore only swimming trunks and goggles for his record dive, while both Nordblad and Guérin-Boëri wore wetsuits.
Guérin-Boëri said he intends to try to break his record next year in Canada wearing only swimwear.