Cenote Ik Kil on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula – a picture perfect postcard location for the elite of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
Following last year’s hugely popular visit, the high divers returned to the Yucatán ahead of the second stop in the 2011 World Series on Sunday.
'There's nowhere else quite like it'
With the 27.25-metre platform erected once more above the Cenote Ik Kil, a huge well close to historic Chichen Itza, the divers got reacquainted with the dense foliage and deep water during the first day of training on Friday.
“This is one of the best places anywhere,” said American Kent De Mond. “It’s such a cool location. You can’t beat the Cenote with the vines going down to the water. The weather’s warm, the water’s warm, the water’s clear..."
“It’s up there with my favourite places to dive because it’s so original. There’s no other place quite like it,” said World Series champion Gary Hunt who is hopeful of returning to winning ways at the same venue he triumphed at in 2010.
Perhaps the most glowing endorsement of all though came from the French duo of Hassan Mouti and Cyrille Oumedjkane who may even prefer the site in Mexico to their home event of La Rochelle!
“I’m really enjoying being back in Mexico,” said Mouti. “It feels like being in the middle of the jungle next to the Mayan monuments. I love La Rochelle because of the crowd but here it’s more exclusive and, in terms of beauty, this is the best.”
Picture perfect for everyone, apart from Artem Silchenko. The Russian, who finished second in Rapa Nui and is a leading contender for this year's World Series title, will be absent from this weekend’s event, with flight complications unfortunately precluding the 27-year-old’s involvement in the competition.
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