The project is organised by freedivers Jussi Lehtonen, Eero Soralahti and Jyri Vehmaskoski in co-operation with the Finnish Divers' Federation. On these pages the three divers will introduce themselves and explain the background of the project.
DIVERS
We have relatives or close friends who suffer from multiple sclerosis or leukaemia. Ways to directly help are limited, even if one is prepared to do much. We came across an idea: with the help of our favourite hobby, freediving, we could awaken other people's interest and willingness to help.
We first met each other in 1998 while doing our military service as Navy Divers. A few years later diving brought us together again as members of the Freediving Team of Finland. Thereafter we have together practised freediving, trained new divers and competed in freediving team events.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses as divers. This record challenge will not be easy to meet, but we believe that with this team we have a good chance of doing it.
From left to right: Jyri Vehmaskoski, Eero Soralahti and Jussi Lehtonen
EERO
Eero's biggest strength is his top-level dynamic apnea (diving for distance in a swimming pool) ability. He is the present holder of the Finnish national record in dynamic apnea diving with fins, 184 metres. Eero has achieved fine results also in depth diving – his bronze medal in the 2006 Finnish Championships is proof of this. There he successfully completed his deepest dive so far, to 55 meters. Judging by his results in dynamic apnea, there is still unused potential for depth. In his own words psychological factors are the main limiting factor. Eero works for Nokia.
JYRI
As former competitive swimmer Jyri is like a fish in the water, and his swimming technique is the best of the three divers. Jyri is a former holder of the Finnish record in both dynamic apnea and constant weight. The main limiting factor for Jyri's depth diving has been equalizing (see freediving vocabulary). Even so, with his 65-metre dive Jyri is among the top five Finns. Our training in indoor pools has apparently helped and we hope that the equalizing limit has moved deeper down. For work, Jyri programs diving computers for Suunto.
JUSSI
Jussi is at his best in the depth disciplines, and his breath hold capacity is the strongest of the team. His limiting factor for depth has so far been adapting the chest and lungs to the great pressure at depth, but we have attempted to address this limitation with specific pool training during the spring. Jussi’s current record (76m constant weight, or diving for depth with fins) falls ten meters short of the current national record, so with a little improvement a new record should be within reach. Apparently pool training has helped, and Jussi says that the open water season has started stronger than ever. Jussi is working on his Ph.D in biology. |
