Jul 31, 2024

Debut Cortez Cup Competition Starts Strong

Asya Kleschevnikova, Head of Sales & Customer Service
asya@molchanovs.com
molchanovs.com

La Ventana, Mexico, 16 July 2024 - The first edition of the Cortez Cup in La Ventana, Mexico, has successfully concluded, with more editions to come.

The Competition

Ten athletes from eight countries participated in Freedive Passion La Ventana’s first-ever competition, the Cortez Cup, five of whom were newcomers to the competitive world.

Location

Freedive Passion La Ventana is a coaching and deep training center. All dives below 40m (131ft) are done on a full competition setup with a counter ballast, sonar, and professional safety divers. Not only does the location boast great conditions for deep diving, but it is also famous for its abundance of macro and megafauna. During the competition, pods of dolphins surrounded the setup, and athletes watched a juvenile orca harass a mola mola, passing silky sharks and fevers of mobula rays swimming by.

Safety setup

The safety setup included sonar, a counter ballast system, and a 3-member safety team. Judges included Chris McKay, who is a member of the AIDA Safety Committee, and Aurelio Janeiro of Apnea Cozumel. Safety team members consisted of Tom Kaye, Julia Roca, Zoe Lower, Amapola Violeta, Quentin De Smedt, and Tree Meinch. Manolo Gonzalez of Deep Baja helped on the platform and with logistics.

Navigating first-time competition challenges

When asked what challenges the competition was faced with, competition organizer Harry Chamas told Molchanovs, “Any step out of your comfort zone will create challenges. With this being my first competition, I would say that navigating the AIDA website and managing the competition logistics to keep all of the timings for OTs and WUs was the biggest challenge. Happily, we now have that locked down, and the next competition will be even easier! I would especially like to thank my wife, Tania Panes (Spanish athlete), for all of her help and support starting the center and with the competition.”

“I enjoyed showcasing this place and seeing how amazed everyone was with what we have created here.” Harry went on to say. “Both physically, culturally, and regarding community.”

Results

Among the slew of white cards athletes received, three new national records were also set at the Cortez Cup. This competition was also the first for legendary Carlos Coste (the first freediver who reached 100m / 328ft in CWT) after an 8-year break from competitive freediving. He performed 60m (197ft) in CNF and hopes to get back to personal best depths in CNF at the next edition of the Cortez Cup.

New National Records

Puerto Rico - Natalia Padró - CWT 62m (203ft)
Puerto Rico - Natalia Padró - CWTB 62m
Puerto Rico - Natalia Padró - CNF 46m (151ft)

Female

CWT

1st place: Natalia Padró (PRI) - 62m (203ft)

CWTB

1st place: Natalia Padró - 62m (203ft)

CNF

1st place: Natalia Padró (PRI) - 46m (151ft)
2nd place: Louise Oceane Delion (FRA) - 25m (82ft)

MALE

CWT

1st place: Carlos Aceves (MEX) - 66m (217ft)
2nd place: Matt Brown (USA) - 65m (213ft)
3rd place: Elliot Beamer (CAN) and Lucas Blanco (ESP) - 58m (190ft)

CWTB

1st and 2nd place: Matt Brown (USA) and Lucas Blanco (ESP) - 60m (197ft)
3rd place: Elliot Beamer (CAN) - 55m (180ft)

CNF

1st place: Carlos Coste (VEN) - 60m (197ft)
2nd place: Matt Brown (USA) - 46m (151ft)
3rd place: Gus Albuquerque (BRA) - 45m (148ft)

FIM

1st place: Matt Brown (USA) - 65m (213ft)
2nd place: Elliot Beamer (CAN) - 55m (180ft)
3rd place: Scot Prince (USA) - 47m (154ft)

Overall

Male

1st place: Matt Brown (USA)
2nd place: Elliot Beamer (CAN)
3rd place: Scot Prince (USA)

Female

1st place: Natalia Padró (PRI)
2nd place: Louise Oceane Delion (FRA)

Debut Cortez Cup Competition Starts Strong