Picture Credit: Nicholas Kouvaras
Liv Philip (www.livphilip.com), swooped into Crete to win the 7th Mediterranean World Cup (www.freediving-club.gr), hosted by Stavros Kastrinakis!
Due to a tight work schedule, Liv only came out for one week and did just a couple of training dives before the competition proper. Despite these disadvantages and it being so early in the season, Liv, who only had one opportunity to perform each of the three disciplines, did three solid dives with the necessary white cards to win: CWT 55m, FIM 50m, CNF 40m.
Liv gave thanks to the organiser, judges, doctor and safety divers, and said it was very special to have sometime in the sea, because of financial limitations and commitments at home, I have had very little time in the water this year, especially compared to many of the other athletes, so I really felt very happy and humbled by being in the ocean again’. Liv is in her element in any type of water, but she has a particular affinity with the sea and with the depth season just beginning these are exciting times for the British Champion, boding well for the coming months.
With 5 competition days on offer (and the possibility of 2 weeks prior training), athletes could compete in the 3 depth disciplines (constant weight, constant weight no fins, free immersion). To win the competition trophy, athletes had to attempt at least one dive in each of the 3 disciplines, and the winners of the Med Cup are the freedivers – man and woman with the highest total score in the three depths disciplines.
A total of 25 freedivers from 13 Nations attended the event for shorter of longer stays and aiming to train, and compete for the title of the 7th Mediterranean World Cup. Other British athletes included Tim Money who came fourth out of the men for the depth competition, missing out on third place by a single point, also there were David Tranfield, Chris Crawshaw and Beci Ryan.
The Med Cup is now in it’s 7th year and going strong. Stavros Kastrinakis has created a wonderful environment for the athletes, with some great accommodation catering for individuals, couples, groups and even freediving families (www.kastromyrtos.gr), just a stones throw from the harbour where the boat departs each morning and a short walk from the tiny village with its delicious bakery, local shops and restaurants.