Base jumper's love of fear after death jump
Norwegian Base jumper Karina Hollekim, 33, cheated death when her parachute failed to open. Doctors said she would never walk again but after three years of rehab she has regained the use of her legs. Her movie, 20 Seconds Of Joy, is out now on DVD
What does Base stand for?
It’s an acronym for the four fixed objects we can jump from – building, antenna, span, earth.
Your sport has had 133 recorded fatalities – you must have a death wish.
Ha, you think so? I don’t – because I was fighting until the bitter end to stay alive after having my accident. Base jumping makes me feel alive. When you’re about to leap off a 1,000-metre cliff you go from extreme fear to extreme happiness in a matter of seconds. That fascinates me.
I imagine insurance companies aren’t exactly lining up to ‘quote you happy’.
They’re not super eager, no. There is an alarmingly high mortality rate but we try to make it as safe as possible because I love what
I do and I want to be able to do it over and over again. I understand it looks insane but we train incredibly hard.
Are you scared of a repeat problem with your parachute?
It’s the worst-case scenario and a lot of my friends have been killed in this way. I was lucky to survive and to be given a second chance.
Could it become an Olympic sport?
I hope not. It takes a certain person to want to throw him or herself off a cliff and it’s such a dangerous sport, I wouldn’t want just anybody to attempt it.
Everybody gets scared but the difference is I enjoy that feeling. It’s almost like being in love because it gives you shivers’
What do Base jumpers do on their day off?
I’ve actually been shopping today and being a girl I’ve spoilt myself. But normally I go skiing or surfing… so on a day off from sport I usually do some sport!
Defying your doctors and walking again is an incredible achievement.
Rehab was the toughest thing I have ever done. I’ve used my body for everything from running in the mountains, to jumping off something, to skiing and suddenly
I get stuck in a wheelchair for an indefinite time. I was frustrated, angry and sad. I didn’t have much faith that I’d make it but I felt obligated to continue fighting so
I wouldn’t let my friends down because they believed in me so much.
How did you fulfil your appetite for adrenaline while wheelchair-bound?
I started boxing with my personal trainer. I had my two arms and I could still punch and let off all the steam I’d built up inside of me.
It was great feeling to punch him as hard as I could!
How do you approach the edge of a jumping platform?
I don’t have a particular routine apart from checking my equipment. Everybody gets scared – that’s normal, I get scared, too – but the difference is
I enjoy that feeling. It’s almost like being in love because it gives you shivers, it’s amazing.
Do you have time for love, or is there a Base-jumping speed-date service?
Ha, they don’t have one but they should, it’s a good idea – fast and efficient with a lot of adrenalin! I have an Argentine boyfriend and he’s great.
Do you have any irrational fears?
It’s completely pathetic but if I’m alone in the dark it freaks me out. If I’m with another person who can take care of me then it’s all good, but if
I had to walk all alone in the woods in the dark it would not make me happy.
Where’s the most amazing place you’ve jumped?
Fatima’s Hand in Mali, western Africa. It took me 12 hours to rock-climb to the top of the mountain and when I got there it was too late to jump, so I slept overnight on a ledge. In the morning it was too windy so I climbed down again. The next day I spent eight hours re-scaling the mountain in 40ºC heat. When I got to the top and could finally jump off, it felt very rewarding. Ha, 20 hours of climbing for 20 seconds of joy – that’s dedication.
Have you ever tried something tame, like bungee jumping?
I have tried bungee jumping, I found it a bit boring. It was nice but the rope does all the work. I prefer it when I’m in control.
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