Jump and freeze: who dives into icy water on skis and why?

St. Petersburg closed the ski season in an unusual way. The Igora resort hosted perhaps the most colorful winter competition Red Bull Jump&Freeze. According to the rules of the competition, a contestant must ride a snowboard or skis down a snow slope that ends with a pool of ice water. At the same time the jury evaluates not only skating and swimming skills.

Athletes had to surprise with extreme stunts and original costumes. Chip and Dale, Godzilla, Totoro, Desperate Housewife and more than 130 other colorful participants gathered on the snowy slope of Igora. Freestyle Master of Sports Anna Zotova, who performed as a tiger, participated in Red Bull Jump&Freeze for the first time. Next time she will strive only for victory.

Why did Anna decided to take part in the extreme tournament? What spectacular trick did she show at Igor? And how does the Red Bull competition differ from professional tournaments?

“I haven’t jumped on skis for three years. And here I spontaneously decided to remember the old days.”

– How did you decide to take part in the Red Bull Jump&Freeze?
– I was at the New Star festival in Sochi and there were Red Bull representatives there who told me about the season closing in Igor. I thought: “Oh, I’m just from St. Petersburg. Why not?”. When you have a great opportunity, you have to take it.

– What were your expectations from the tournament?
– I can’t even convey my emotions, because it’s something very unusual. Especially the closing of the season. On the one hand, it’s sad, because I want to skate and skate some more. But on the other hand, I got very cool impressions. So many guys gathered, so many like-minded people who decided and supported this idea.

– How did you prepare for the competition?
– Honestly, there was no preparation as such. I haven’t jumped on skis for three years. Now I just ski without any tricks. And then I spontaneously decided to remember the old stuff. I haven’t practiced somersaults either. Today was pure improvisation.

– Weren’t you afraid of getting injured?
– It was not scary to get injured, it was much scarier to jump into the icy water in such harsh weather. I think it is not so dangerous here, because there are rescuers and medics downstairs who will provide first aid at the right moment. The main thing is determination. When you jump, you need to orient yourself quickly. If you do everything correctly and technically, it is very safe.

“Next year I’m going for the win.”

– What is your relationship with sport in general?
– Sport is my everything. I’ve been doing it since childhood. I am a master of sports in acrobatics and freestyle. At the age of 15 I was invited to the Olympic reserve in ski acrobatics. In my life, sport goes side by side with me. It’s true that we have a completely different atmosphere than at the Red Bull Jump&Freeze, everything is much more complicated. It’s the first time I’ve jumped from such a ski jump as here, it’s very exciting. I am sure that next year I will 100% participate again.

– Do you have any goals for next year?
– This time I just wanted to find out what’s going on. But next year, I’m going for the win. I want to improve on what I have. And maybe try to “complicate” in two times, that is, to make a double somersault. And think of a more original costume.

– A double somersault is the most difficult trick in these conditions?
– I think so. At least, I’d be very surprised if anyone could do it. But next year I’ll try to surprise everyone. For a triple somersault, the ramp and acceleration are too small here. If they were bigger, you could do it.

– You were very confident on the flip. You weren’t scared at all?
– The main thing is to tune in, go and do it. There shouldn’t be a single moment of excitement, otherwise it won’t go the way you planned. When I moved out, I didn’t think about anything. I knew I had to jump in and swim out.

– How did you feel in the icy water?
– The emotions were unforgettable – it was a huge dose of adrenaline. But the feeling of pride prevailed. Yes, I dared. Yes, I jumped. Yes, I overcame myself. But when they pulled me out of the water, I wanted to warm up. It was incredibly cold.

“If you can do a somersault, you’re a powerful tiger.”

– How did you pick out your costume?
– I looked in my closet, what was left from New Year’s Eve, and I started from there. Of course, there were princess options, but it was all cliché. I wanted to motivate myself, so I chose the image of a tiger, because they are very brave and fierce. But they’re also very graceful. If you do a somersault, you’re a powerful tiger.

– Do you already have an idea for next year’s costume?
– No idea as such yet. But maybe I’ll play the role of some beautiful ballerina. I want to be delicate but daring at the same time. Like a ballerina in a black tutu.

– Was it more important for you the sports component or the costume?
– The costume was very spontaneous. For me, the main thing is to jump correctly and technically, to get there. The costume is more of a decoration. Everyone approached this part very creatively, but I was more concerned about the jump.

– What attracted you, a professional athlete, to Red Bull Jump&Freeze?
– It’s the thirst for adventure, the thirst for extreme. I want to know the world from all sides. I even like to participate in such contests more than in ordinary competitions. Here the atmosphere is much more interesting and fun, there is practically no tension. Everyone supports, cheers, the event is held in a joking atmosphere.

– You don’t feel any competition at all?
– I didn’t even think about competition, because I decided to jump for my own pleasure, to try how it is. I will compete next year.

“At the Red Bull Jump&Freeze people are more eager to get incredible emotions from jumping than to win”.

– Did you manage to make friends with any of the participants?
– It was a pleasure to communicate with the guys. They are very positive, good, everyone has a cool attitude. Everyone here is for each other. They are happy, surprised by the jumps, they support each other. At regular competitions everything is much more heated. There everyone fights for victory, and here – for adrenaline and for the high. At Red Bull Jump&Freeze people want to get incredible emotions from jumping more than to win.

– Who supported you here?
– I came with my friend, she is a skier. But this time she didn’t participate. She didn’t dare, she said: “You’re the only one who’s so crazy.” But she helped me a lot and supported me from the stands. I was also supported by a friend from my Olympic reserve. He is a professional slopestyle jumper who performs cool tricks. He performed here in a skeleton costume.

– How did your parents react to this adventure?
– My parents sent me a link to the event and said, “Come on, we believe in you.” Unfortunately, they watched me only via video link, because they are in Vladivostok. But they were supportive, they said they were very proud of me. I climbed out of the pool, said hello to them, and then ran straight away to warm up.

– Who will you take with you to the competitions next year?
– I’m definitely going to take some proven people. It would be very cool if my young man agreed to jump with me on a snowboard. I think he would love to jump with me even today if he was in town.

– What is your advice to those who want to take part in the Red Bull Jump&Freeze?
– Don’t hesitate a bit, go and do it. It’s worth it.