It looks like
the definition of paradise, high in the sky, surrounded by luscious
green branches, with the sun glowing softly and nothing but clear blue
water down beneath.But clad in nothing but a pair of Speedos, faced with
a 27-metre tumble from a crumbling cliff, many would think twice about
that.
Not these
menEagerly bounding to the cliff-edge on Phi Phi Island in Thailand, 14
divers flung themselves, twisting and turning at break neck speed
towards life-threatening rocks.
Their one shared objective: make it look good.
Gathered for the sixth round of the sixth annual Red Bull cliff
diving championship series today, they have all spent months preparing
their moves.
Death-defying:
Alain Kohl (left) of Luxembourg diving off the Viking Caves on the
island. Artem Silchenko (right) is mid-twist as he falls towards the
Andaman Sea
There is no hard-and-fast rule for the game - just the mantra, 'power and balance'.
But with just three seconds between leaving the podium and hitting the Andaman Sea, they don't have long to show off their best.
This year the series has taken the competitors all over the world.
Warriors:
The sport was created as a challenge for Hawaiian warriors to
demonstrate their loyalty to King Kahekili. Here Michal Navratil of the
Czech Republic faces the clear water
Frightening:
David Colturi of the USA dives from the 27-metre platform. There seem
to be no qualms about the surrounding boats as the men tumble in nothing
but Speedos
The season started in France's La Rochelle, followed by Copenhagen, and then Azores in Portugal.
From there they went on to Italy, Boston, Pembrokeshire, before reaching the southern coast of Thailand for the final.
Unfortunately, the penultimate stop scheduled for Brazil earlier this month had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
Russia's Artem Silchenko won the day's competition - but it wasn't
enough to take the overall title from Britain's Gary Hunt, who has held
the top spot since 2010.
Climb:
The men face an 88-foot climb up wooden ladders balanced precariously on
the cliff-side (left) before flinging themselves off a wooden podium
(right)
Power and
balance: Jonathan Paredes of Mexico (left) and Alain Kohl of Luxembourg
(right) strike strong poses as the attempt to stay streamlined on their
descent
Turn:
Michal Navratil of the Czech Republic (left) and Steven LoBue of the USA
(right) battle it out for the title with mind-blogging contortions
Worldwide:
Before Thailand, the group competed in the beauty spots of France,
Italy, Wales, Brazil, Copenhagen, Portugal, and Boston
Winning
leap: Artem Silchenko of Russia prepares to launch an armstand dive from
the 27-metre platform in the Andaman Sea during the last competition
day of the eighth and final stop of the 2013 Red Bull Cliff Diving World
Series
Third
place overall: Orlando Duque of Colombia takes the plunge. The main rule
that divers must adhere to is 'power and balance' as they fall towards
the water below
Going
into today's final, former Olympic hopeful Hunt, 29, who has won a
number of medals at the Great Britain National Diving championships, was
already the tournament leader.
Silchenko stood in second place and 10-time world champion Orlando Duque, from Colombia, was in third.
Mexico's Jonathan Paredes holds fifth, ahead of David Colturi, from the US.
Professional
rivals: The two potential series winners, Artem Silchenko (left) of
Russia and Gary Hunt (right) of the UK pose for a portrait on the beach
before competing
The final
moments: Silchenko's land. The land is the most crucial part of the
fall - to maintain the style they have worked tirelessly to hone, and to
ensure they don't injure themselves
Relax:
Finally Artem Silchenko of Russia can celebrate after his final dive
during the last competition day of this year's season. He could not take
the top spot but won the day's contest
Champion: Silchenko stands on the podium as the other divers spray him with champagne and fans wave flags, lauding his success
Best
seats: Crowds crammed onto boats to get the best view of divers - such
as winner Silchenko (pictured centre) - performing their finale
Proud:
Local media in Thailand described the event - the first one to be hosted
by Krabi - as a very proud moment for the nation. Crowds gathered to
hail Silchenko, the winner
Runners
up: Steven LoBue (right) of the US took second place for the day and
third place went to Orlando Duque (left) of Colombia
The
sport started in the late 1700s as an initiation for Hawaiian warriors -
as ordered by King Kahekili, who was obsessed by cliff diving.
He challenged his people to prove their loyalty by throwing themselves hundreds of feet into rocky water.
It is from that moment in time that the sport earned its mantra: 'mana and pona' - 'power and balance' in Hawaiian.
Now a global phenomenon, local Thai media has described the event -
the first time it has been hosted by Krabi - as a very special moment
for the nation.
