World Championship Ibiza 2001
text by Sebastian Näslund (webmaster) Photos: Sebastian, Hanli
PAGE Herbert
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Herbert is 31, flies planes for KLM (if I am not misinformed). Doesn´t have a scuba licence. Learnt some freediving from Hubert Maier, otherwise learnt most things by himself. Has 3-4 hours drive to nearest lake. Has never BO in sea but in a pool once. Would like to be the first one hitting 100 in constant and will try to beat his own record in dynamic (because he heard Andy le sauce is training to beat his 170 meters). Improved his personal best training in static from 6.30 to 7.49 during Ibiza championships.
The night before a dive he hardly sleeps. In his mind he repeats the dive - time and time again.

Nietsch puts some kind of liquid in his ear before diving. Maybe vineager? Oil?.

Things he has been heard saying:

"I like freefalling into the abyss"
"I am not scared, but I have some respect"
"You need a strong mind, be determined and think about what you do"
"I use a lot of weights. I don´t like to swim down. I like to concentrate on my equalization" (he uses 3 kg)
"I use competitions to try my limits"
"It´s an instincts - you will make it to the surface - maybe clean - maybe not"
"Pack till you explode"
Nietsch 1 minute before dive. Had to change his prep breathing suddenly when hearing the judge proclaiming 2 minutes to start only 30 seconds after claiming 4 minutes. So he claims anyway.

World record dive done in competiton with ordinary mask and wights. Nietsch says he is aiming for 100. Also worth noticing is that he is building a sled with his brother in his garage.

 

What´s stopping him from going deeper right now is equalization, he says.

Nietsch grabbing the tag at 86 meters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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