Safin Seeks Summit of 8000m Mountain

Former ATP World No. 1 Marat Safin has embarked on a month-long mission to climb the world's sixth highest mountain. The two-time Grand Slam champion is among an eight-member Russian climbing team attempting to scale the 8,201-metre (26,906 ft) Cho-Oyu on the Nepal-Tibet border.

"This is an interesting climb but [Safin] has (had) very good physical exercise," Ang Tshering Sherpa, chief of the Nepal Mountaineering Association told Reuters. "He is young and energetic, although the climb is challenging. I'm hopeful he will succeed."

The expedition is expected to last a month. If everything goes well Safin is expected to return to the ATP circuit in time for Masters Series Madrid, which begins October 15.

Writing on his expedition web site, Russian team leader Alexander Abramov said: "Hopefully to his many victories in tennis, Marat will add one more victory on the sixth highest mountain in the world."

Clients typically pay 9,900 Euros to climb Cho Oyu in groups ranging from seven to 12 members. The web site marketing the tours says of the climb: "Cho-Oyu is the easiest eight-thousander of Tibet and one of the most easy eight-thousanders in the world. So it`s no wonder that this summit is one of the most popular among all another summits with altitude above 8000 m.

"We recommend ascent to Cho-Oyu for alpinists who have not any experience on eight-thousanders. Cho-Oyu is an ideal choice for mountaineers ready to test themselves on Tibetan giants, because climbing Cho-Oyu is not technical."

:blink:

:blink: :blink:

:wacko:

WTF? :blink:

I wonder if this means he isn't playing Davis Cup this weekend? :(

It seems not.

Russia's team against Germany is listed as


Nikolay Davydenko
Mikhail Youzhny
Dmitry Tursunov
Igor Andreev

Marat's letter on his webpage

(Note that his doctor's name is "Dr. Feder" ... :blink: )

:lmaao: Safin seems like a nutcase sometimes.. he just loves adventure... a change is always good..

but with that list

Nikolay Davydenko
Mikhail Youzhny
Dmitry Tursunov
Igor Andreev

:blink: isn't that a fairly strong camp anyway..... I think so..

I started reading that and thought he was about to announce his retirement :blink:

Safin...A true character of the tennis world! :ok:

Yes, sadly. :(

Go Germany!

Good on Safin - nice to see players doing something different to break the mould. Safin's always been an interesting character who has managed to keep tennis in perspective.

He was very motivated and hungry when he came up on the scene. Very quickly, with the money flowing in, his motivation weakened and started to enjoy other "fruits". I actually like this in a player though it might be frustrating for his fans. 10/15 years ago he could have been more succesful and enjoy life at the same time because unlike Lendl and Mcenroe he had the big advantage of having a great athletism without too much working but nowadays it is simply impossible. I now don't mind whethe he wins something major or not, I think he shoudl try his chance at Holywood as he is in my view much more charismatic than many of those young actors.

PS - I am not saying Lend was not athletic, cause of course he was but he had to work very hard to maintain it, while Safin seemed naturally blessed with it.

The latest update from Safin's expedition:

THE FIRST CLIMB OF MARAT SAFIN
September, 16.

Today at night, the team has moved from Zhangmu to a small town of Nialam (3600ì), situated in gorge among high mountains. The way passes by a bad road heavy loaded by lorries. Now the road is under repair for Olympiad. After breakfast we have gone on an acclimatization climb on the nearest summit (under the name Murat) 4100 ì high.

The strong wind blew all the way up and at the top the rain has started.
Having gone down to Nialam, all members of team have intimately congratulated Marat. It was the first climbed summit in his life. Tomorrow we will go to Shigar, which is located at height 4200 ì.

Today in the morning we have said goodbye to ours Sherpas which have gone by two lorries forward to establish Base camp at height 5100ì.

Shouldn't you be up there with him Jo, massaging deep heat in his muscles and all? ;)

Careful ! :chainsaw:

Even Marat needs a break from Jo sometimes :yep:

:o

I know! Lies, i tell you, all lies!!!! :angry:

Unfortunately for Jo, a Tibetan mountain-climbing expedition is unlikely to add anything to the collection of shirtless photos.

:giggle:

Which is a pity, as Im sure it'll put real hair on his chest...

:blink:

hope not.. and I am sure if there is a pic to be found of him even daring to show his chest for five seconds up there... Jo will find it... and I will appreciate it :P

yeah, i hope he doesn't get hair on his chest, it'll be like Sampras all over again

*attempts to erase images from head*

Well I guess he does but Jo won't allow it cos sheis an insatiable vixen :D and has one fo these :chainsaw:

:sicky:

Oh sorry. Had yours and Jos taste in chests all wrong there.

Im shaving mine straight away ...might take a while though .. :P

awwww... you a furry type Al? I have a mate who lurves a hairy chest....

but if you really want to defuzz - I can help you wax ;)

you do everything don't you? waxer, suntan lotion applier - is there no end to your talents Pebs?

I dont make a good maid - terribly messy.... :blush:

roflmao

Did I ever tell you about the time I saw Marat in Moscow and he smiled at me DJ?

Very modest assessment of your talents as a maid Im sure :halo:

no!!! But i will definitely get you now - not only are you having sex on a regular basis, but you've spoken to marat

chainsaws at dawn i think :chainsaw:

Not spoken (though that would have been lovely) I was watching the Kremlin Cup in 2005. Marat had come to watch Dinara play Farina-Elia and he was in the stands across from me. Obviously everyone knew who he was - I waved at him and he gave a cheeky smile...good times :D Now you have a good excuse to :kpow2: me :hide:

:nope: I really am very messy Al... but I have fun creating mess :devil:

I didnt know RF had a deathwish.... :unsure:

I'm just a glutton for punishment :whip: ;)

*decides not to ask any questions about RFs b/f* :blink:

*decides to ask lots about RFs boyfriend and whether we should compare whips* ;) :P

It's best if you don't.... actually we're not into that....well I'm not at least anyway :unsure:

:blush:

you see, you ruined all our impressions of Mr RF then...... :unsure:

oh don't say that :( he's lovely, much nicer than me...and such a sweet heart...and a viking in the sack ;)