Martinborough freediver eyes record again

Martinborough freediver Kathryn Nevatt should be dubbed the new "Iron Lady" after she makes her fifth attempt in six days on the women's dynamic without fins world record at the Genesis Recreation Centre pool in Masterton this morning.

It's a huge ask but the 33-year-old had no hesitation saying she would be lining up again after being red-carded for the second time during yesterday's record bid.

She came up just 1m short of the target mark of 160m that was set by Russian Natalia Malchanova back in 2009.

"It's too big an opportunity to miss ... it's my last chance for a while so I have to have a go. I'll get it this time," Nevatt said.

Yesterday's disqualification didn't irk Nevatt nearly as much as that on Sunday when she smashed Malchanova's mark by 4m only to be disqualified for "short periodic lapses of consciousness", a ruling which Nevatt unsuccessfully appealed.

Yesterday Nevatt knew she was in trouble when she unintentionally did a couple of head nods after surfacing at poolside although she admitted the hurt at being red-carded again would have been a lot worse had she managed to break the 160m mark.

"I would have been a lot more disappointed had everything been okay and I came up just 1m short ... imagine that!"'

Nevatt was pleasantly surprised by the distance achieved yesterday, as she was struggling to contain her nerves during the pre-race preparation for an event which involves swimming underwater on a single breath. And when aiming to complete six-and-a-half lengths of a 25m pool, nerves are the last thing you need.

"I was pretty shaky, I think having so many people come along to watch got to me a bit. The support has been amazing, that will help drive me today.

"I want that record for the supporters as much as I do for myself," said Nevatt.

This morning's session is scheduled to run from 10.15am to 11am and will end the first free diving competition ever held at the Masterton pool.