The final act of Vertical Blue 2017 started in style yesterday with six new National Records, including Russian powerhouse Alexey Molchanov setting a new PB and National Record in Free Immersion (FIM) with a 121m dive. It also began to show how the intense level of diving required at this event, has begun to wear on the athletes, with five early turns, and three red cards the stamina is slowing.
British Freediver Dean Chaouche opened the days’ proceedings by taking a break from battling with fellow Brit Michael Board over Free Immersion (FIM) to set a new British National Record in Constant Weight No Fins (CNF) to 80m
Local boy, Luke Mallis from the Bahamas, took everyone by surprise when he literally kicked the platform arm at the start of his dive. But he kept right on going! His unfortunate entry didn’t stop him from making 58m and a National Record in Constant Weight (CWT), and another personal best for the day.
Germany was made proud after Stefan Randig finally took his place in the record books with a Free Immersion (FIM) dive to 94m. He had previous tried 3 other times to reach the record books but had to turn early. “FINALLY!” Randig shouted as he was given a white card from the judges.
The start list for Day 8 shows Sayuri Kinoshita trying her hand at constant weight with a NR attempt at 101, a very big dive and a very big deal. Perhaps we’ll see another WR attempt on the final day from the strong and steady Japanese ladies’ team? Who knows but we’ll be watching.
