Full story:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../25369.asp
Excerpt:
Passages: Fran Crippen, 26 - FINA, USA Swimming Release Statements -- October 23, 2010
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates, October 23. SHORTLY after the FINA Open Water 10K World Cup swim today in the UAE, United States swimmer Fran Crippen, 26, passed away after falling unconscious during the race.
With the water in the mid-to-high 80s, the competitors all finished and noticed that Crippen had not crossed the finish line. Meet management brought in deep sea divers, who found Crippen unconscious just before the final buoy nearly two hours later. He was transported to the Fujairah Hospital and later died according to information provided to Swimming World. Conflicting reports state that he was found dead on the course.
Crippen had shown signs of slowing down during the third lap of the five-lap race. When Crippen did not immediately finish, a fact noticed by teammate Alex Meyer who screamed for help, the competing swimmers rushed back into the water to help with the search.
Information provided to Swimming World demonstrates that the water was likely too hot for the event as several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race....
I think some of this could relate to the fact that now, as compared with years ago, there or more and more people attempting open water events than really should be.
Five years ago the triathletes I saw at practice training for IronMan races were excellent swimmers, most faster than me. There are two or three people aiming at this year's IronMan Louisville where I am currently swimming. Though no doubt in excellent shape from all the other training they do, they are much less proficient swimmers. I have a hard time seeing how they will complete a 2.4 mile open water swim. The swim will be in the Ohio river. It looks like the first 1/3 of the course will be against whatever current the river has at that point. The water temp will likely be above the 78 degree max for use of a wetsuit, so they won't have the buoyancy advantage it provides either.
S
I think some of this could relate to the fact that now, as compared with years ago, there or more and more people attempting open water events than really should be.
Five years ago the triathletes I saw at practice training for IronMan races were excellent swimmers, most faster than me. There are two or three people aiming at this year's IronMan Louisville where I am currently swimming. Though no doubt in excellent shape from all the other training they do, they are much less proficient swimmers. I have a hard time seeing how they will complete a 2.4 mile open water swim. The swim will be in the Ohio river. It looks like the first 1/3 of the course will be against whatever current the river has at that point. The water temp will likely be above the 78 degree max for use of a wetsuit, so they won't have the buoyancy advantage it provides either.
S
