MAN II 2005 pool freediving competition
Szekesfehervar, Hungary
From 11th till 13th November 2005, Apnea Team Amsterdam (ATA) attended the MAN II freediving competition in Hungary in a town called Szekesfehervar. Organized by Jaray Szabolcs from AIDA Hungary, who we met for the first time in Wiesbaden last year and stayed in contact with ever since.
Since we had never been to Hungary we decided to leave already on Thursday night with a cheap Sky Europe flight straight to Budapest, to be able to see some of that beautiful city.
Since we had never been to Hungary we decided to leave already on Thursday night with a cheap Sky Europe flight straight to Budapest, to be able to see some of that beautiful city.
Our hotel turned out to be NOT close to the center, which was a bit of a bummer, but turned out to enable us to see otherwise unexplored parts of Budapest ;-)
We got up very early on Friday and spent the entire day in this magnificent city.
We got up very early on Friday and spent the entire day in this magnificent city.
Large parts of the day we spend eating, from delicious cakes in a fancy tea houses, funny looking snacks on the streets too a full blown local Hungarian meal against for us foreigners very low prices.
All in all a perfect day with lots of fun.
The next day was action day. We got a lift from 6:50 in the morning by one of Szabolcs scuba friends and arrived around 8 at the pool. The pool was very nice and we were looking forward to the competition. Most competitors we had never met, since from this part of Europe we hardly meet anyone at other competitions. Almost all Eastern Europe was represented, so we made lots of new friends there.
The static part of the competition was a major success for ATA.
The next day was action day. We got a lift from 6:50 in the morning by one of Szabolcs scuba friends and arrived around 8 at the pool. The pool was very nice and we were looking forward to the competition. Most competitors we had never met, since from this part of Europe we hardly meet anyone at other competitions. Almost all Eastern Europe was represented, so we made lots of new friends there.
The static part of the competition was a major success for ATA.
Glenn Venghaus took first place again with 6:27 (much cleaner even then in Wiesbaden). Peter Wurschy (who it turned out later was planning on breaking Glenn’s national record of 6:45min) did a much too easy looking 6:09min, which was good for a second place. He was angry at himself for stopping so early ;-)
Gonnie Roekevisch and Patricia Ribas were a close match with 3:50 min and 3:49 min respectively. Of course, as we are used to by now, Patricia treated us to a static show when she, tightly coached by Glenn, got up clean but not 1 second too late after suddenly playing dead and blowing out lots of air.
After the static’s, expectations were high if we could keep our top rankings. The ladies opened with a very nice 80 meters for Gonnie which was good enough for a second place overall but where she decided to do the 50 meter turning point with her head (bangggggggg)
Gonnie Roekevisch and Patricia Ribas were a close match with 3:50 min and 3:49 min respectively. Of course, as we are used to by now, Patricia treated us to a static show when she, tightly coached by Glenn, got up clean but not 1 second too late after suddenly playing dead and blowing out lots of air.
After the static’s, expectations were high if we could keep our top rankings. The ladies opened with a very nice 80 meters for Gonnie which was good enough for a second place overall but where she decided to do the 50 meter turning point with her head (bangggggggg)
Then Patricia, who unfortunately did not feel too good anymore and bailed out at 69 meters.
Then it was time for the men…….......
First Peter, who amazed us all with a splendid dive to 130 meters !!!! locking his place in the top 3 overall. Then it was Glenn’s turn. Unfortunately he was struck by an unbelievable string of back luck and mishaps (failing neckweight, wiggly starting table, loose foot pocket, failed breathup, getting stuck in the starting line for several long seconds), which coupled with the pressure of starting last in the deciding run (needed only 119 meters to win gold), turned out to be too much mental stress for him. He bailed out after the first 50 meters turn. Not needed to mention how pissed he was at himself for throwing away an almost sure first place this way……………….. Guess at what place he ended.
Yes indeed nr 13 …………
First Peter, who amazed us all with a splendid dive to 130 meters !!!! locking his place in the top 3 overall. Then it was Glenn’s turn. Unfortunately he was struck by an unbelievable string of back luck and mishaps (failing neckweight, wiggly starting table, loose foot pocket, failed breathup, getting stuck in the starting line for several long seconds), which coupled with the pressure of starting last in the deciding run (needed only 119 meters to win gold), turned out to be too much mental stress for him. He bailed out after the first 50 meters turn. Not needed to mention how pissed he was at himself for throwing away an almost sure first place this way……………….. Guess at what place he ended.
Yes indeed nr 13 …………
So overall a very successful day for ATA with 2 silver medals overall and an honorable mention for a first place in static.
For the complete results check out Results XL sheet
For the complete results check out Results XL sheet
After the comp we went to a local restaurant with lots of other competitors, organizers and judges to fill our very empty stomachs. The last day of our weekend we spend (how else) eating some of Hungary’s delights and lots of alcohol ;-)
Greetzzzz and love,
Apnea Team Amsterdam
Check out the foto gallery at Apnea Team Amsterdam freediving gallery for lots more pictures of this competition.