So close yet so far, Nevatt misses record

Kathryn Nevatt was taking plenty of positives from her failed world freediving record attempt in Masterton yesterday.

Nevatt, from Martinborough, came up just 4 metres short of the record of 160m set by Russian Natalia Malchanova in 2009 in the discipline of dynamic without fins on the opening session of a freediving competition at the Genesis Recreation Pool .

But she is confident of doing better at other sessions planned for today (10.15am to noon and 4.45pm to 6pm), tomorrow (9.45am to 11.30am), Tuesday (10.15am to 11am) and Wednesday (10.30am to 11.15pm).

"I know I can do it, there's no reason why it shouldn't happen,' Nevatt said, minutes after ending her first attempt so tantilisingly close at 156m.

The 33-year-old architect said nerves were her worst enemy yesterday.

"I was a bit shaky and started to get the wobbles and you need to be calmer than that," she said.

"But I felt really strong most of the way through and that's good; strength isn't going to be a problem. I just need to control the nerves better, and hopefully that won't be a problem either."

Nevatt's bid drew a good-sized crowd, including television and other media personnel, and there was growing confidence she would reach her target as she seemingly covered six laps of the 25m pool on a single breath without any sign of distress.

And while there was disappointment when she came up just short she was warmly applauded for her gritty effort.

And most spectators vowed they would be back again for the weekend sessions when not only Nevatt but also Wellingtonian Dave Mullins will make world record attempts.

Mullins will, in fact, be looking to break his own mark of 218m in dynamic without fins and considering he has gone 232m unofficially that seems well within his scope.