AIDA Team World Championships 2006 - Hurghada, Egypt

Day 12-14

Licking Closing Ceremony Wounds and World Records Begin

The US Team can hold its head up high. Two new National Records in Static. The women once again have a strong showing, winning static for the second straight Team Championship. With Deron's new record, we are becoming know as the static nation. Go figure... LOL

The Men's Team had a very solid performance boosted by Deron's performances. This is the highest point total for any male US performer in any competition. He set a new national record in static, is the first US male beyond 70 M in competition and had a personal best in Dynamic. He is on his way. Course corrected. Craig and Robert held their own and scored in every event! This is valuable experience for them both. You can bet that the US men well be coming on strong in the future.

The closing party was a big bash with a lot of dancing and drinking. It went well into the morning. If you ever want to see a crazy party, there is nothing like athletes that have not done anything that could throw off their training being cut loose to make up for lost time. I am not sure Team New Zealand member Nicky Rodrick will ever recover. A few teams had a lesson in Tequila from USAA President Grant Graves. He was buying, but was smart enough to stop drinking at midnight. Had to be in a condition for judging the world records the next day. Water is a beauitful thing.

World Records

Herbert Nitsch is attempting to add to his world record totals with attempts in Static and Free Immersion. William Winram is attempting Constant No Fins.

Herbert began his morning at 9:00am. Static was on the plate. He tried for more than three hours. Setting a new Austrian record with an attempt of 8:08. Most athletes would love to complete a static over 7:00 minutes. Herbert performed many that appeared to be only warmups building to his 8:08.

Wil and Herbert used the afternoon to attempt their depth records. They were joined by the US's own Annabel for a test of the national record in Constant currently held by Tanya Streeter at 70M

Wil had to turn early due to missing and equalization, likely due to being cold and the late hour of the attempt. Herbert made his depth of 107M in FIM, however failed to complete his Surface Protocol in under 15 seconds.

Annabel's record attempt was unsuccessful. She had a very deep blackout at about 24 meters and needed to be rescusitated. The safety team made a successful rescue and Annabel was back with us a few minutes later.

No new records today.

Day 2 of World Records

The brage was returned so today would be for Herbert to give another try at the Static record.

He began is attempts in the morning. He used a colder pool to help him with the diving reflex, but used a thicker wetsuit as well. The added thickness likely kept him from the record. Wil functioned as his couch. Nine trys later and Herbert was at a loss as to what to try. The mental gymnastics that have to be gone through to make this record happen are insane. Herbert decided to wait till the evening to continue his efforts.

Wil couching Herbert in his morning attempts.

New Static World Record of 9:04

Herbert did it! Third try of the evening was a charm. Two attempts over seven minutes. Third attempt a record. His contractions began at an amazing 6:28. Well timed for the record. He fought hard for this one. The crowd and Wil telling him he can do it. You could see he struggled to deal with the suffering at around 7:00. Once he was past 8:20 there was no stopping him. He surfaced with more left and the watches all stopped at 9:04. He earned this one.

Herbert showing his world record time on the official watch.

Final Day of Records