Chic Galleria’s fabulous friend Jack Mackenroth recently cleaned up with a whopping eight medals at this year’s World Outgames 2009, after finishing up a very successful swimming meet at the sporting event that is held only once every four years and which encompasses over 20 sporting disciplines.

Jack took home two gold medals; one in the 50-meter freestyle with close to a personal best time of 26.63, and the second in a 4 x 50 freestyle relay. He also won silvers in the 50-meter breaststroke, the 100-meter freestyle, and the 4 x 50 and 4 x 100 medley relays. Additionally, he won two bronze medals in the 100-meter breaststroke and the 200-meter individual medley.

“I was really not expecting to win medals in all eight of my events,” said Mackenroth. “Needless to say, I’m ecstatic. However, it’s not just about winning medals. One of the most fun events was the Random Rainbow Relay where the meet organizers randomly picked swimmers from all different teams and we swam in a friendly relay with colored rainbow swim caps. It was a great way to meet swimmers from different countries.”

Swimming is currently the most popular sport with over 900 swimmers participating. Several European National records were set during the course of the meet. The event was held in a 50-meter Olympic size pool, which is daunting to many Americans who are usually used to 25-yard pools. “I was most concerned about my first race, the 200-meter individual medley, because it was my longest distance and I have been out of the pool for two years since Project Runway. I’ve been lifting weights but it’s no substitute for endurance training. I only started training seriously in the pool about six weeks ago. So when I won a bronze medal I was shocked.”

To learn more about Jack Mackenroth or the World Outgames 2009, please visit www.jackmackenroth.com and www.copenhagen2009.org.

Tags: awards, Events, Jack Mackenroth, swimming