Molchanov Dives to 91m Under Frozen Lake Baikal, Sets 42nd World Record

On March 3, 2026, Alexey Molchanov descended to 91 meters on a single breath beneath the frozen surface of Lake Baikal during the Third International Ice Freediving Festival in Listvyanka, Russia. The dive marks his 42nd career world record and fourth under-ice depth record.

The dive was performed in the Constant Weight discipline using a monofin, through a hole cut in ice more than a meter thick. Surface temperatures reached -23°C while the water below sat at approximately 2°C. Molchanov wore a 5mm wetsuit and used a carbon monofin for the attempt, which lasted just under three minutes.

The achievement represents a 14% improvement over his previous under-ice record, a significant margin in a discipline where extreme cold severely limits performance. Ice freediving carries unique risks, as the diver must return to a single exit point in the ice while managing the physiological stress of near-freezing water.

The festival, held from March 1-6 in the Irkutsk Region, also saw records set by other athletes. Molchanov, who serves as president of the Russian Freediving Federation, continues to push the boundaries of what is considered possible in extreme-environment freediving.