Female:
1. Russia 753
2. Japan 653
3. Czech Rep. 635
Male:
1. Russia 802
2. Czech Rep. 779
3. Finland 720
Looks idyllic, but this will be the battleground tomorrow for the last day of competition. With the leading teams close to each other, we're expecting some juicy blackouts as their team members squeeze for every meter possible in an attempt at seizing glory..
Text and Photo: Kurt Chambers - USA Freediving Team
Male Teams:
1-DENMARK 482,6 p.
2-CROATIA 475,0 p.
3-CZECH REP. 469,8 p.
4-RUSSIA 457,0 p.
5-FINLAND 411,0 p.
Female Teams:
1-RUSSIA 475,2 p.
2-JAPAN 446,4 p.
3-CZECH REP. 428,2 p.
4-USA 342,4 p.
5-DENMARK 333,6 p.
AIDA Team World Championships 2014 approaches its second half. All the teams have completed two days of training in the discipline of Constant Weight (CWT) and tomorrow they will continue racing. Thanks to the changed order of events there was felt a bit of uncertainy among racers. After all, it is something different when the CWT starts and competitor is not under any pressure. In tomorrow's race day we will see what teams can keep a clear head and hold some strategy. That will apply mostly in male competition. Croats have no reason to take risk with their sufficient margin for the second Danes and third Czechs, but they are certainly going to be attacked from a discipline very strong Russia. According to my estimates, in Constant Weight, Russia may pick up as much as 290 points contrary to 250 points of Czech and Denmark. Russia has 72 points to medal position before the final dynamism. The Czechs and Danes are extra strongly chased by Finland. All this means the competition will be very interesting.
A view of the overall ranking in the female category doesn´t bring such a grippling drive, but appearances can be deceiving. Russian team, led by the phenomenal Natalia Molchanova, prepares intensively, and if they avoid a major mistake ( like the men's team), hardly anyone can overtake. The more promising will be the fight for the other two podium positions. The Constant Weight strong Japanese and Danish girls can start pushing the Czech team, that so far enjoys the advantage of an outsider with still surprising performances.
Hopefully, the teams will bring a white cards only for tomorrow's competition and World Championship of the best teams in 2014 will be interesting and full of great fights until the last swimmer and the last discipline - Dynamic Apnea. We will publish Starting list of tomorrow here as soon as it appears.
First competition day ended. The race was very suspenseful and interesting. Italy women's team and men's teams of Russia and Sweden with them red cards give space to other teams in the fight for the medals.
FEMAL first three places
1) Natalia Molchanova RUS 8:30
2) Vendula Strachotova CZE 7:06
3) Alessia Zecchini ITA 6:39
MALE first three places
1) Goran Colak CRO 9:13
2) Bruno Segvic CRO 7:48
3) Jesper Stechmann DEN 7:29
MALE Teams :
1) Croatia 291,0
2) Denmark 243,6
3) Czech Rep. 238,8
FEMALE Teams :
1) Russia 250,2
2) Czech Rep. 233,2
3) Japan 217,4
Start list for static apnoe is in galery.
Constant Weight (CWT): The freediver descends and ascends using his fins/monofin and/or with the use of his arms without pulling on the rope or changing his ballast; only a single hold of the rope to stop the descent and start the ascent is allowed. Constant weight is the common sportive depth discipline of freediving, because of the specific fins or monofins used in it. Constant weight is one of the three disciplines considered for the international competitions by team, with Static apnea and Dynamic with fins.
Static Apnea (STA): The freediver holds his breath for as long as possible with his respiratory tracts immerged, his body either in the water or at the surface. Static apnea is the only discipline measuring the duration, and one of the three disciplines considered for the international competitions by team, with Constant weight and Dynamic with fins. Performances could be done and recognized in both pool or open water (sea, lake, river, etc).
Dynamic With Fins (DYN): The freediver travels in a horizontal position under water attempting to cover the greatest possible distance. Any propulsion aids other than fins or a monofin and swimming movements with the arms are prohibited Dynamic with fins is the most typical of both disciplines measuring the distance in freediving, because of the specific means of propulsion : long fins or monofin. Performances could only be recognized in swimming-pools with a minimum length of 25 meters, and are sometimes considered in national or indoor's 'combiné', with the Static apnea.
Due to very bad weather forecast, program changes. Please, take note of the new program for the next days:
Thursday 18 September: DAY OFF
Friday 19 September: STATIC APNOE, OFFICIAL TRAINING DAY
Saturday 20 September: STATIC APNOE, COMPETITION DAY
Updates for the other days will follow.
Source: http://www.blueworldchamp.it
