Divernet News, dateline 6 May 2005
Freediving records fall
Three new freediving world records were set off Grand Cayman in the Caribbean in April. Martin Stepanek and Mandy-Rae Cruickshank set new marks in two categories - freedives involving no propulsive aid, and dives using a pulling rope.
Czech Stepanek, 28, dived to 80m in Constant Weight Without Fins, where the diver swims unaided. Any weight can be worn, but must be carried back to the surface. Stepanek's dive beat the previous men's record by a substantial 14m. It has been sanctioned by AIDA subject to anti-doping test results.
Canadian Cruickshank, 30, set a new women's record of 50m in Constant Weight Without Fins. She also set a new mark of 74m in Free Immersion, where the diver descends and ascends by pulling on a fixed vertical rope. Her dives, too, have been ratified by AIDA subject to dope test results.
Stepanek holds two other world records - 103m in Constant Weight, where fins are used in conjunction with freely selected weight; and 102m in Free Immersion. Cruickshank also holds the women's Constant Weight record of 78m.
Cruickshank and Stepanek are members of Team PFI (Performance Freediving International), run by Canadian Kirk Krack, AIDA Vice-President for the Americas. Krack organised AIDA's world championship held in Vancouver last year.
Related links
Performance Freediving International
News Index Page
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