Congratulations to your victory in the kick off event of the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series in La Rochelle. What was it like to step on the podium after nine times world champion and second-placed Orlando Duque?
Thank you! This victory was very important to me…and a bit unexpected. I was very proud to be in the podium. Orlando is good friend of mine, he’s a very experienced diver but this time I was the lucky guy.
What was it that made you simply unbeatable on that particular day?
First of all it’s fortune of course. It was my first time in France. Usually when you dive or do something else somewhere for the first time you are lucky – it’s an old Slavic believe.
How did you actually get into cliff diving? What do you find so fascinating about this spectacular and also very dangerous sport?
I have a sportive education, when I graduated from university I started working as a diver in an entertainment park doing diving shows. After many years of experience I started competing in international events. The feeling of flying is the most attracting thing in high diving, it’s incomparable.
Please, tell us a bit about the person Andrey Ignatenko. How would your wife describe you in three sentences?
I guess my wife would say that I’m a good family guy, fair-minded, honest, active, and sometimes a bit lazy.
What do you love most? And what can’t you stand?
I love fishing, it’s my hobby, usually I gather my family and we do camping on the weekends near the river. There is nothing I can’t stand, I think. I like to surround myself with positive emotions, good people and interesting activities. Probably I do not like bad-minded, mean, angry people and I avoid any communication with them.
At 44 you’re the oldest diver in the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series 2009. What role does experience play in cliff diving?
In my opinion experience plays absolutely the same role as talent and training.
‘Thinking …’ was your answer to the question in an interview about how you prepare for a contest. What exactly goes through your head when preparing for an event?
I’t was a joke… of course I’m trying to concentrate as much as possible. Many things go through my mind while I’m preparing for a competition. After many years of experience I’m sure that the priority is to care about safety. Truly, no emotions…
The most important thing for an athlete is the body. How do you keep fit?
Oh, I do a lot of exercise at home. Twice a week I play football with my friends in an amateur team, practice dives in the pool. I eat healthy food and I do not smoke.
Can you describe a very normal day in the life of Andrey Ignatenko?
I have a big family – my wife, three children and 15 dogs. We have a house that’s always full of people… I really have a normal family life when I’m not competing.
The next competition of the Red Bull Cliff Diving Series 2009 will take place on June 20 in Rotterdam. What are your plans until then?
Before first stop I did not have a chance to practice dives a lot. This time I’d like to spend more time practicing.
Comments
Add a comment