Performance Freediving International
Two Freediving World Records Poised to be Broken in Cayman Islands
World's Top Freediving Team to Attempt New Records at Sink Faze 2006 - The Year's Premiere Freediving Event
Cayman Islands (Friday, March 31)- Performance Freediving, the top freediving team in the world, announces that Saturday, April 1st through Friday, April 7th, members of the Perfomance Freediving Team will be attempting to shatter two freediving world records and one U.S. record as part of Sink Faze 2006 the year's premiere freediving exhibition. Freediving, or breath-hold diving, is a rapidly growing sport where athletes compete in disciplines involving time, depth and distance with different sub categories in each. The competitive world of freediving emerged in the late 1940's and today is enjoying unprecedented growth and booming popularity with underwater enthusiasts the world over. Although freediving as a competitive sport is relatively new, freediving as a means of sustenance can trace its roots back 4500 years.
Current world record holders Mandy-Rae Cruickshank of Canada and Martin Stepanek of Czech Republic have been training in the Cayman Islands since March 5th in an attempt to break the freediving world records of constant ballast (kicking down to depth and back with weights under your own power). Mandy-Rae must achieve a depth of 87m / 285ft on one breath of air, the equivalent of a 29-story building while Martin will be attempting 106m / 348ft or a 35-story building. Dr. George 'Doc' Lopez, CEO of ICU Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICUI) is attempting to break the US National record of free immersion (pulling to and back from depth without fins) with a performance of 51m / 167ft.
Preformance Freediving Team Members
Mandy-Rae Cruickshank is thirty years old and resides in Vancouver , Canada and has been freediving competitively since 2000. Mandy-Rae has held six world records including the constant ballast world record where an athlete swims to depth and back with fins and retains their weight. In March 2004 in Grand Cayman she achieved a depth of 78m / 256ft surpassing Tanya Streeter's record of 70m / 230ft.
Joining Mandy-Rae is team member Martin Stepanek of the Czech Republic . Martin is twenty-eight years old and a seven time world record holder currently holding three world records including constant ballast without fins at 80m / 262ft surpassing Herbert Nistch record of 66m / 216ft.
Partnering with Performance Freediving diving International is Dr. George 'Doc' Lopez, CEO of ICU Medical Inc (NASDAQ; ICUI). Doc is joining Mandy and Martin in Cayman for his third year and is again attempting a US National record for the United States Apnea Association (USAA). Doc, a highly successful CEO is also a bluewater world record spearfishermen currently holding the world record for Black Marlin.
Both Mandy-Rae and Martin are working with coach and trainer Kirk Krack, founder of Performance Freediving International Inc. Kirk was formerly Vice-President of the Association for the International Development of Apnea (AIDA), the world governing body for the sport of freediving. AIDA Level A Judges Dimitris Vassilaskis ( Greece ) and Cedric Palerme ( France ) will be the officials in attendance ratifying the attempts and ensuring the strictest of safety protocols are followed.
Along with ICU Medical Inc, Stingray Watersports on Grand Cayman are providing diving and accommodations. Underwater video services are provided by HD Odyssey of Monterey , CA . Professional wetsuits are furnished by Oceaner Sporting Goods and Yamamoto Corporation with additional support provided by Doc's Proplugs.
The members of Performance Freediving International teach educational clinics around the world and are involved in both team and athlete development. Last years attempts in Cayman were broadcast near-live by streaming video and garnered an outstanding response from underwater enthusiasts the world over.
For media or spectator attendance or to receive pictures and updates, please contact Kirk Krack at:
604-862-5868 Vancouver office
954-302-2791 Ft Lauderdale office
345-322-4526 Cayman Islands cellphone
kirk.krack@performancefreediving.com
Full streaming video, training diaries and pictures are available in the "news" section of this web site.
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