I wish all the Monaco competitors the best!
I'm sure there are other impressive training results in addition to Stig's. But his 8'48" while impressive is no guarantee of anything. What will be different for all competitors is who can stand the scrutiny and pressure of the media and brouhaha in Monaco. If you look at past competitions and world record attempts, you'll see who does well and who doesn't. But even beyond that I think it will be impossible to tell who will win. There are so many variables:
-new format: 1 on 1.
-the draw (which competitors get paired together)
-the water/air temperature in the evening
-the noise and distractions (Tara Reid and the Prince, for one :duh )
-the time between rounds, for those that manage to advance
-jet lag
-who had sex the day before
-can they do a personal best three times in a row every 30-55 minutes?
In terms of breath hold capacity, these are the ones to beat:
-Karl Pernett
-Stig Severinsen
In terms of international competition experience, these are the ones to beat:
-Timo Kinnunen (super consistent in high seven minutes range)
-Ryuzo Shinomya
In terms of performance under pressure in a competition:
-Timo Kinnunnen
-Eric Fattah
In terms of WR holders (experienced with pressure):
-Eric Fattah
-Stig Severinsen
-Stephane Mifsud
Add a dash of Monaco mystery, a taste of the Mediteranean salt on the skin, and a good run at the casino and here is my final prediction:
In third place at 2'34", Ms. Tara Reid (actually her agent did the breath hold for her)
In second place at 3'33", the Prince of Monaco, because good things come in threes.
In first place at 10'12", Tom Sietas, who crashed the competition.
Pete
I'm sure there are other impressive training results in addition to Stig's. But his 8'48" while impressive is no guarantee of anything. What will be different for all competitors is who can stand the scrutiny and pressure of the media and brouhaha in Monaco. If you look at past competitions and world record attempts, you'll see who does well and who doesn't. But even beyond that I think it will be impossible to tell who will win. There are so many variables:
-new format: 1 on 1.
-the draw (which competitors get paired together)
-the water/air temperature in the evening
-the noise and distractions (Tara Reid and the Prince, for one :duh )
-the time between rounds, for those that manage to advance
-jet lag
-who had sex the day before
-can they do a personal best three times in a row every 30-55 minutes?
In terms of breath hold capacity, these are the ones to beat:
-Karl Pernett
-Stig Severinsen
In terms of international competition experience, these are the ones to beat:
-Timo Kinnunen (super consistent in high seven minutes range)
-Ryuzo Shinomya
In terms of performance under pressure in a competition:
-Timo Kinnunnen
-Eric Fattah
In terms of WR holders (experienced with pressure):
-Eric Fattah
-Stig Severinsen
-Stephane Mifsud
Add a dash of Monaco mystery, a taste of the Mediteranean salt on the skin, and a good run at the casino and here is my final prediction:
In third place at 2'34", Ms. Tara Reid (actually her agent did the breath hold for her)
In second place at 3'33", the Prince of Monaco, because good things come in threes.
In first place at 10'12", Tom Sietas, who crashed the competition.
Pete