Cayman
2006 - April 1, 2006
YIPPEEEE today was an amazing day!!!!!! 3 records were set!!!!!!!!!
The last 24 hours has been exhausting doing the final preparation for today's record attempts. Safety, judges, and athlete meetings went until almost 12midnight last night after a press conference held at the Ritz Carlton. Latest news is that CBS and Fox have shown some interest in our adventures here in Cayman as well. Make sure you all tune your tvs to the "Today Show" on NBC Monday morning for our piece, as well as ABC's "Good Morning America". Cameras, videos and reporters are swarming the athletes and PFI...great exposure for the sport!
Team PFI (except the athletes and judges) woke up early this morning bleary eyed, exhausted but with an air of excitement. Everyone worked smoothly together, helping each other and offering words of encouragement. We arrived at the deck before 7am and began loading and setting up. We wanted to get a head start to have everything organized before the media boat and athlete boat arrived. Last night Kirk reassured us that we 'should' have time to have a quick nap after setting up, to mentally and physically prepare for the day ahead of us....but we worked right up until the athletes were in the water.
From Mandy-Rae: Martin, Doc and I got up at our usual time but because Jill was out with the crew we had to listen to Martin complain about having to make his own breakfast this morning. Next we all opened some cards that were left behind for us. Jill had the crew all sign some greeting cards that were full of inspirational sayings. What a great way to start the day.
Just before Martin got in the water, Kirk noticed a little seahorse swimming by our set up and caught it in a little plastic cup. He swam it over to Mandy to take a look, it is said that a sea horse brings good luck! We said good bye to the sea horse and released it back into the ocean. My evacuation boat was in perfect order, finally got a medical o2 bottle that fit our positive pressure system to deliver air if needed.
Floating in the water, getting ready to do my countdown for Martin, the first athlete I had a moment to take in all the craziness around us. 3 boats, 3 athletes, safety scuba divers, safety freedivers, cameramen, videographers....the water was churning with so much activity. Once I yelled "cameras rolling', all cameras and eyes were focused on me....quite intimating for someone who hates speaking in public! Then I began my 5min countdown......5min.....4min.....3min....2min....1min30sec.....1min.....30sec....20sec....10sec....0.......then the athletes take their final breath, add in some packing and down they go. Martin did an AMAZING world record of 106m and surfaced with a huge smile on his face. There was a min of silence as everyone waited with held breath to see what the judges would say. CLEAN and a performance beautifully mastered!
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Martin after surfacing from his 106m Constant Weight World Record Dive April 1, 2006 |
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Mandy-Rae after surfacing from her 80m Constant Weight Canadian National Record April 1, 2006 |
Next up was Mandy....with the seahorse presenting her with a good start, I watched with eagerness as she descended into the deep blue. It seemed to take a lifetime, but soon I saw her silhouette ascending up the line. Her perfect elegance as she finned to the surface and broke the water with a very strong recovery! She now holds the Canadian record at 80m constant ballast, and her world record attempt will soon follow on Monday.
From Mandy-Rae: After hitting 84m last week things had started to go down hill for me. Because of that I have changed a bunch of aspects of my dive the last couple of days. I have changed my breath-up, my weights (went from waist to neck), and even my diet. Today the changes all came together and I had one of my best dives to dates. I am so relieved as I was starting to get worried. Hopefully things continue to go well so I can make my first attempt this coming Wednesday.
 Next up....Doc Lopez...he was under the impression that today was simply going to be a training day for him. Little did he know...Kirk had set the plate at 52m.....a US national record....and of course, Doc came up smiling thinking he had a good training dive in front of all the media. Once Kirk whispered to him that he held a new record...Doc literally began dancing in the water and yelling....I.....C.....U!!! I was so proud of all three of them....what a show they gave everyone!!!!!!
Well....now it is time for massages, naps, food and a good quiet afternoon. Tomorrow's day off will ensure that enough rest is worked into their schedule before the Monday's record attempts.
From Mandy-Rae: Well most of the day will be rest but we still have to get up early as The Today Show wants to do some filming at Stingray City at 8am tomorrow!
I just found out today that I may be able to attempt a Canadian record for variable ballast. There is no Canadian record, hence, why it would be easy for me to attain it!!! At least for 10 min or so before Mandy or someone else takes it away from me!!!! But my name will be under the national records....fun fun!!! Variable ballast is when an athlete holds onto weights to get pulled down the line, and then swims back up.. Mmmm me hold a national record? This may be my one and only chance ever!
So....that is the latest news from Cayman but stay tuned for more! The big dives have only just begun...
Love Jill and Mandy-Rae
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