US Ambassador takes a dip in icy Russian river

A US ambassador channeled his inner Vladimir Putin when he stripped to the waist to take a dip in a freezing Russian river over the weekend.

Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. showed he could tough it out with the Russians when he jumped into the icy waters of the Istra River outside Moscow – where temperatures plunged to a chilly 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

‘It’s definitely an unforgettable experience,’ the shivering Huntsman said after dunking himself underwater. 

US Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. channels his inner Putin by taking a dip into icy waters in the Istra River outside Moscow

Huntsman's dip came after Russian President Vladimir Putin took the same plunge last week at the frozen Lake Seliger, north of Moscow

Huntsman’s dip came after Russian President Vladimir Putin took the same plunge last week at the frozen Lake Seliger, north of Moscow

The former Utah governor was taking part in the Orthodox Christian tradition of Epiphany – to commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

Christians all over the world jump into a body of water to celebrate the Epiphany – but the celebrations in Russia – where temperatures remain freezing – are a little more extreme.

Of course, that didn’t stop Putin, 65, taking the same plunge last week at the frozen Lake Seliger, north of Moscow.

The Russian president kept his expression almost as chilly as the water, at around 21 degrees Fahrenheit, not revealing any discomfort or pain at being immersed.

The 57-year-old Republican, originally from California, put on a brave face as he walked into the water but couldn't help but reveal his dismay at the unpleasant experience

The 57-year-old Republican, originally from California, put on a brave face as he walked into the water but couldn't help but reveal his dismay at the unpleasant experience

The 57-year-old Republican, originally from California, put on a brave face as he walked into the water but couldn’t help but reveal his dismay at the unpleasant experience

'It's definitely an unforgettable experience,' the shivering Huntsman said after dunking himself underwater

‘It’s definitely an unforgettable experience,’ the shivering Huntsman said after dunking himself underwater

The former Utah governor was taking part in the Orthodox Christian tradition of Epiphany - to commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River

The former Utah governor was taking part in the Orthodox Christian tradition of Epiphany – to commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River

Ambassador said he hoped his move would help ease tension between the U.S. and Russia, and 'get to know Russia's great culture from the inside'

Ambassador said he hoped his move would help ease tension between the U.S. and Russia, and ‘get to know Russia’s great culture from the inside’

Even when he’s not diving into cold water, Putin often finds an excuse to take off his shirt. His recent set of ‘macho’ vacation photos, published last year, showed him swimming and fishing all while stripped to the waist. Other photos show him horse riding half naked to show off his muscles.

Meanwhile, Huntsman told local media that he’d decided to follow in Putin’s footsteps to help ease tension between the U.S. and Russia, and ‘get to know Russia’s great culture from the inside.’

He added the was ‘confident that this cold tradition can help move Russian-American relations in a warm direction.’

The 57-year-old Republican, originally from California, put on a brave face as he walked into the water but couldn’t help but reveal his dismay at the unpleasant experience. 

the Russian president kept his expression almost as chilly as the water, at around 21 degrees Fahrenheit, revealing little discomfort  at being immersed

the Russian president kept his expression almost as chilly as the water, at around 21 degrees Fahrenheit, revealing little discomfort at being immersed

Even when he's not diving into cold water, Putin often finds an excuse to take off his shirt (such as horse riding here in 2009) 

Even when he’s not diving into cold water, Putin often finds an excuse to take off his shirt (such as horse riding here in 2009) 



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