Kite surfing is an adrenalin packed sport at sea level requiring strength and skill. But, Danish kitesurfing sensation Nick Jacobsen decided to take things to another level, literally, by jumping from the top of a 30 metre mast on a moving racing yacht.
Jacobsen performed the incredible stunt on the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team's Azzam in Sweden on Wednesday (June 24). The team won the 38,739-nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race on Monday crossing the finish line in Gothenburg.
In the film, that was released today (June 26), Jacobsen said he “likes jumping off stuff with his kite” but this jump came with its own unique challenges.
“I have never been on top of a mast like that before so I don’t know how it reacts up there compared to the wind,” he added. “When you are down on the boat it is pretty steady, but as soon as you are up there it (the wind) goes from this side to that side pretty fast.”
So how do you mentally prepare to launch yourself into the sea from a boat with a kite? According to Jacobsen the trick is denial.
“I always try to calm myself down before doing stuff like this. I try not to think about what I am about to do, because then it gets all weird.”
Jacobsen said that jumping off the boat felt “really good” and thanked Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing for the opportunity.
“Crazy to think that this boat went around the globe in nine months and won the entire race,” he added.
This spectacular stunt is the latest in a range of amazing videos that have been made using the boats and crews involved in the Volvo Ocean Race. Earlier this month free runners turned one of the sailing yachts into a private playground and in May Mich Kemeter slacklined between two sailing boats.