The third day of the 33rd AIDA Ajaccio 2024 Freediving World Championships was marked by the performances of the women competing in the Constant Weight bi finns (CWTB) category, with Marianna Gillespie as the winner and having gathered 30 female athletes from 19 countries. The sea conditions in Corsica (France) were ideal, with calm waters and no currents or waves, which allowed the athletes to achieve optimal performance and multiple national and continental records.
The winners of the CWTB competition on this third day were:
- Marianna Gillespie, competing as an individual international athlete, achieved a score of 96 meters. Earlier in the championships, she had secured the bronze medal in the Finsless Constant Weight discipline on the first day of the competition.
- Enchante Gallardo, from Hawaii, USA, reached a depth of 91 meters, setting a new Continental Record for North America and a National Record for his country.
- Talya Davidoff, from South Africa, reached 84 meters, setting a new Continental Record for Africa and a National Record for South Africa.
In addition to the medalists, different athletes set national records for their respective countries:
- Poland – Maria Bobela Klovar – 82 m.
- Spain – Marta Gil – 81 m.
- Belgium – Marine Simonis – 75 m.
- Latvia – Yulia Marievich – 66 m.
- Indonesia – Nikita Fima Atriyu – 66 m.
- Syria – Amal Alnabwany – 48 m.
- Cape Verde – Tatiana Mendes Barbosa – 47 m.
Constant Weight bi finns is a freediving discipline in which the athlete descends and ascends using only vane fins (one fin on each foot), without the assistance of any external equipment such as sleds or propulsion devices. Bi finns provide greater control and stability, but generally require more effort than a monofin to reach the same depth. Technique is crucial, as the freediver must optimize his or her body position, kicking technique and air retention to minimize energy expenditure during descent and ascent. CWTB is one of the fundamental competitive disciplines in freediving, requiring a balance of strength, technique and efficient use of oxygen. Currently, the women’s CWTB world record holder is Alenka Artnik of Slovenia, who reached a depth of 111 meters in 2023.
