[Article] Martin Stepanek: It's Not About Me

[trux]

Yes, I agree with Jome, and apologize for the baseless accusation. Unlike at Gaiadiver's case, this was a blind shot without any proof, and I admit I was already biased because of that story. And do not take me wrong, I still admire Paul's style even if it is often quite bitter or sarcastic - even Gaiadiver was quite funny and entertaining in fact.

So once more, please accept my humble apology for my recent comment about the DIVEFREE@& imposter.

[alix.leclerc]

What seems very strange to me is that these days a world record may not represent the deepest dive! And although I agree that rules are extremely important to ensure that no one gets an unfair advantage and all competitors are making a world record attempt under the same conditions, there do seem to be many problems caused with this seemingly complicated system, such that have been outlined in this incident. It's a shame that the whole point of attempting a world record attempt -getting deeper than anyone has been before- is overshadowed by, well by anything at all!

Well done to Martin for being so understanding with AIDA when some might have reacted far more negatively, also for outlining in his opinion the problems facing judges because of the current regulations, and of course for reaching a staggering 83m

At least Martin and other divers that have been in similar situations know that they can achieve these depth, they know they can beat the 'record', and it's just a case of waiting for the rules and regulations to catch them up.

I love the interest that is generated by threads such as this. The freediving community is one of the only sports I know of that actually gets right down to voicing their opinions about important matters such as this. It’s great.

[hteas]

What is AIDA doing to improve the situation?
It really needs to be a transparent process if they want to clean up the mess.
Assurances that they are working on it (the check is in the mail) sound rather anemic at this point.
Howard

[chrismar]

Originally Posted by hteas

What is AIDA doing to improve the situation?
It really needs to be a transparent process if they want to clean up the mess.
Assurances that they are working on it (the check is in the mail) sound rather anemic at this point.
Howard

Given this whole problem is because of the complex rules documents, how quickly are you expecting a rewrite by the volunteers?
They've done the best they could in the terrible circumstances that they've put themselves in, sincerely apologized to all concerned and have a plan to move forward and prevent the same happening in the future. What else did you want?

[fpernett]

I think that is better to keep the KISS principle in mind. It's important to make difference between rules to make a dive valid and safety rules. In this case lanyard is for safety, you can use another safety measure and the tag is supposed to make the dive valid. So, simpler and clearer rules will make the difference.
On another topic, it's always fun for me, all the mess, for 1 meter more. We can't measure depth with 100% accuracy, there is always an error. For example Suunto D9 has an accuracy of +/- 1%, this means that a -82 meters dive is "really" between 81.18-82.82 AND a -83 meters dive is "really" between 82.17-83.83, so it's possible that the two "different" dives in fact are at the same depth. As far as I know no one has measured the error of a rope. In my opinion a new WR has to be, without any doubt, deeper than the previous

[Gunnar]

Originally Posted by jimdoe2you

One point Martin brought up is essentially very true, and it is that he has "83 CNF" next to his name even if it doesn't have "WR" with it.

I read that too. But on the HP of AIDA (Records-History of records) there is a WR next to his name.

Is that a mistake, was that not yet changed on the website?

[trux]

Originally Posted by Gunnar

I read that too. But on the HP of AIDA (Records-History of records) there is a WR next to his name.

Is that a mistake, was that not yet changed on the website?

Why should it be a mistake? Martin did about a dozen of valid World Records in his career, so he certainly has the right for that label.

[Gunnar]

Now is's gone!

Yesterday Martin's name was up first with 83m and "WR" next to it.
Today Martin's name is gone and William's is on top with 82m and "WR".

So I guess the website just wasn't up to date.

[Paul Kotik]

That's it? No more? No new developments? I look at the home page of DB, and this thread has gone from the list of Join The Discussion. What did I miss? Is it all settled, then?

[Fondueset]

Yup. All settled.

[jimdoe2you]

Yes Paul, ............my 84 CNF now officially sits as the unofficial WR without the "WR" (as supported by the AJDA).

[Fondueset]

Jim wore the lanyard, but did not use it; he just likes lanyards.

[efattah]

Originally Posted by jimdoe2you

Yes Paul, ............my 84 CNF now officially sits as the unofficial WR without the "WR" (as supported by the AJDA).

Yes, it is the new record. BTW, it was 84ft, not 84m, but the AJDA does not recognize a difference between records set in feet or meters (it is only the number 84 that matters). Hence the reason Jim chose to set his record in feet. Smart guy.

[Paul Kotik]

Originally Posted by efattah

Yes, it is the new record. BTW, it was 84ft, not 84m, but the AJDA does not recognize a difference between records set in feet or meters (it is only the number 84 that matters). Hence the reason Jim chose to set his record in feet. Smart guy.

Oh,man - why'd I listen to that old sailor man and do my training in fathoms? 84 fathoms is going to be an awful lot of work.

[Pastor]

Pah!!! I hear the British team are training for an epic 87cm dive to be performed in the spring