Ice yachters brave frigid Siberian temperatures as most of the sports world remains paralysed by the coronavirus.
SHOWS: IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA (MARCH 19, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1.
ICE YACHTING RACERS RUNNING AND JUMPING ON ICE YACHTS TO START THE RACE 2.
VARIOUS OF RACE IN PROGRESS 3.
LAKE BAIKAL VIEW 4.
TWO RACERS TALKING AND STANDING NEXT TO AN ICE YACHT 5.
SPIKED SHOES 6.
VARIOUS OF 78-YEAR-OLD RACER HEINER FOSTMANN RIDING HIS ICE YACHT 7.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ICE YACHT RACER FROM SWITZERLAND, FREDY RUDOLPH, SAYING: "You go very fast and taxi.
It's like Formula One in a car.
This is sailing Formula One." 8.
VARIOUS OF CHILD PLAYING WITH A TAPE MEASURE NEAR AN ICE YACHT 9.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ICE YACHT RACER FROM RUSSIA, ANTON DIDENKO, SAYING: "The wind, the speed, adrenaline, open space.
Now the ice is bad, but sometimes it is smooth and you can ride without a sound and can reach the speed of 100 kilometers per hour (62mph).
I enjoy that." 10.
VARIOUS OF RACE IN PROGRESS STORY: With the coronavirus bringing most of the sports world to a standstill, ice yachters from around the world still gathered on Russia's Lake Baikal for the DN Ice Sailing Week where ice yachters on Thursday (March 19) braved not only the virus, but also the frigid Siberian cold as they glided across the frozen lake.
Ice yachts can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (62mph), but this year racers say snowy conditions on the ice have slowed them down a bit as sailing into "snow pies" can send the sleighs off course.
The race here is open to the public and anyone suited up with the expensive gear and gumption to brave the harsh weather conditions and strong, icy winds.
Many ice yachters say they love their sport for the feeling of freedom they get as they glide over the ice of frozen lakes.
Ice yachts have been used in Russia since the 17th century when it was primarily used for winter fishing.
Ice yachting races have been held on Lake Baikal for decades now.
Ice yachters from around the world still gathered on Russia's Lake Baikal for the DN Ice Sailing Week where ice yachters..
SHOWS: IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA (MARCH 19, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. ICE YACHTING RACERS RUNNING AND JUMPING ON ICE YACHTS TO..