For Twelve Days, Ajaccio Hosts the AIDA World Freediving Championship
From September 3rd to 15th, Ajaccio will host the AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea) World Freediving Championship, bringing together nearly 120 athletes from 50 countries for a series of dives in the waters of the Gulf of Ajaccio. This marks a first for Corsica, as the 33rd edition of this prestigious event is organized by the local association, The Cormorant Freediving Social Club, under the delegation of AIDA International.
The Quality of the Site
« We ourselves are athletes and have been elsewhere before realizing that we have extraordinary conditions right here at home. We showed the international bodies our site, but also all of Ajaccio’s environment and its hospitality capabilities, which ultimately convinced them after several visits, » explains Chantal Marzin, President of the Regional Freediving Commission of the FFESSM (French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports). She also emphasizes the importance of the new Miséricorde Hospital, equipped with one of the most advanced hyperbaric chambers in Europe, in Ajaccio’s successful bid.
« With a completely sheltered site at the bottom of the Gulf of Ajaccio, with 200 meters of depth just eight minutes of navigation away and no currents, the conditions are ideal. Only Villefranche-sur-Mer offers similar conditions. With all the amenities, the possibilities for natural environment training, everything was in place to secure these world championships. »
120 Athletes, 50 Countries
The competitions will take place on a specially set-up site off the coast of Aspretto Point, near Ricanto. In total, nearly 120 athletes from 50 countries will participate in events such as constant weight (CWT), bi-fins (CWT-B), no fins (CNF), and free immersion (FIM) in the Gulf’s waters. Among them are several local athletes, who make up nearly half of the French national team. « We have a high level of competition centered around Abdelatif Alouach, a multiple world champion who unites us all. And the Ajaccio site allows us to progress with athletes who train year-round at home, » says Chantal Marzin.
Meet at Quai des Torpilleurs
For the organizers, the goal is to establish Ajaccio as a major hub for the global freediving community: « Bringing a competition of this magnitude to Ajaccio is a dream come true. We hope to make this type of event a regular occurrence, which wouldn’t be possible without the collective synergy created with the support of the Collectivity, the City of Ajaccio, and the Charles Ornano port, » explains Emmanuel Zuccarelli, Secretary of The Cormorant Freediving Social Club.
For the occasion, nearly 60 volunteers have been mobilized to ensure the success of this international competition. This weekend, a 1,400 m² marquee was set up at Quai des Torpilleurs, Charles Ornano Port, right in the heart of the city. In addition to a space dedicated to the athletes, the organizers are keen to offer the public an exhibition area featuring around 40 stands, including institutional representatives, associations, merchants, and artisans.
Source : corsematin
