SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: Venezuelan Carlos Coste set a world record in free-diving on Tuesday, reaching a depth of 140 meters and returning to the surface without scuba equipment in the waters off this Sinai resort.
Coste took the record in the variable weight category of free-diving, in which the diver rides a weight down a line into the water at a speed of up to two meters a second, then returns by pulling himself up by hand, without fins or a mask.
The previous record of 136 meters was set by Czech Martin Stepanek in 2005, which had beaten Coste s previous record dive in 2004 by a meter.
I feel very good and pleased that I reached the main objective, Coste, 30, said afterward. I felt I had freedom in the water.
The record was confirmed by the International Associated for Free Diving, the governing body for the sport.
The Venzuelan, who has held seven world records in recent years, intends to try on Friday to take the record in the free immersion category, in which no weights are used to help the diver down. He s hoping to beat the 108 meter mark, also help by Stepanek. AP
