New freediving world record in No Limits Tandem

German Daniel Roettgermann and Italian Tito Zappalà decided to end 2020 in style and made a successful attempt to break the world record in the freediving competition No Limits Tandem on 31 December. They conducted their plunge in the waters of the Red Sea, off the coast of the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Both athletes used a sled to dive to a depth of 130 metres, with the entire process taking place under the supervision of an AIDA International judge. The freedivers then spent 1 minute below 100 metres and, after an immersion of 3 minutes and 5 seconds, finished with a white card indicating that the attempt had been passed.

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The tandem record was a challenge for me because the preparation, the start and the ascent speed had to be properly matched for both of us. Everything had to be well coordinated. Also, I was used to focusing only on myself when diving, and paying attention to my partner was also a bit distracting. However, Tito is a great athlete and friend and has always supported me. I call him a machine because of his incredible level of fitness, it was me who had to prepare a bit more,” Daniel Roettgermann summed up the successful attempt

The feat of the two men allowed them to break the previous world record of 126 metres, set in January 2013, by Greek Stavros Kastrinakis and Italian Andra Zuccari.

By setting this record I managed to break my life record as well. We didn’t have much time to train together, but after two sessions at 90 and 120 metres deep we felt ready. We had a lot of fun. Actually, this is my record, because being half the size of a “bambino” I covered double the distance – joked Tito Zappalà afterwards

The results achieved in the No Limit Tandem discipline are not officially recognised by AIDA International. In this competition, competitors hold onto a sled and are lowered together to a certain depth. When they reach this depth, they stop, fill the balloon with air and are pulled out through it. At a depth of about 30 metres, they release their leashes and float to the surface on their own.

Photo: Alice Cattaneo