Extreme Sports. (0)

Extreme Sports
Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is an activity of
climbing through ice structures
or formations. These ice
formations may be in the form of
frozen waterfalls, icefalls or
rocks covered with frozen water
flow or ice, or they may be ice
structures that are artificially
structured.
Ice climbing is a crucial part of
any mountaineering activity or
training.
Ice climbing competitions are a
sport for a small group of
climbing specialists. But the big
difference of ice-climbing from
other "non mass sports" is, that
it is also very interesting for
spectators and media.
As a matter of fact, ice climbing is a fairly
new Competition Sport. The first known
ice climbing competition was organized in
Courmayeur on the Brenva glacier in 1912.
Ice climbing competitions started in Russia
(at that time the Soviet Union) and have
been held each winter since 1970.
There were three disciplines: difficulty,
speed and speed climbing of a longer route
(100+m) by roped groups where the
lead climber changed every 40m.
The competitions at Courchevel in France
were also famous. The main rule was
to climb as high as possible using
as few hits as possible, with the time limited
between 8 and 14 minutes.The magnificent 40m high tower in Courchevel
was synonymous for difficulty ice climbing events in Europe from 1995 until
2000 when a huge piece of ice fell down just a few hours before the event
started.
Nowadays International Commission for Ice Climbing Competitions is
responsible for the administration and development aspects of ice climbing
sport. It has been organising the Ice Climbing World Cup competitions
since 2004.
Hang Gliding
It's an air sport in which a pilot flies a light
and un-motorized aircraft called a hang
glider.
With each generation of materials and with
the improvements in aerodynamics, the
performance of hang gliders has increased.
With good weather, a pilot is able to soar
for hours.
The measure of performance is the glide
ratio for example a ratio of 12:1 means that
a glider can travel forward 12 meters while
only losing 1 meter of altitude.
Average glide ratio is 17:1 ­ 20:1 and
average speed is 45-55 km/h.
Early forms of gliding had existed in China perhaps by the 4th century AD.
Competitions started with "flying as long as possible" and spot landings.
With increasing performance cross-country flying replaced them. Usually two to four
waypoints have to be passed with a landing at a goal.
Nowadays every two years there is a world championship. The Rigid and Women's
World Championship in 2006 was hosted by Florida. Texas hosted the 2007 World
Championship.
Cliff Diving
Cliff diving is jumping from a
platform that is usually a
simple clearing along the cliff
above a river, ocean or lake.
Sometimes bridges are used
as platforms.
The platforms can be up to
100 feet above the water.
Cliff diving is very popular in
Switzerland where annual
championships are being held.
The roots of cliff diving are found at
Kaunolu, on the Hawaiian Island of Lana´i.
Back in 1770, Kahekili, the last
independent king of Maui and chief of four
islands was famous for "lele kawa", which
in English means leaping off high cliffs
and entering the water feet first without a
splash.
In order to prove their courage and loyalty,
Kahekili forced his warriors to follow his
example, jumping of the leap into the
Royal Waters at Kaunolu.
One generation later, the Hawaiians
practiced "lele kawa" in competition.
Judgement was passed on the style of the
dive and the amount of splash on entry.
Thank you!