Patrick Musimu - A Constant Contract
Posted By Paul Kotik on 25 May 2002
April 26, 2002, 7:00 AM
They waved goodbye as I pulled away from the departures terminal at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, a strikingly attractive, slightly exotic young couple. Patrick Musimu, the new Constant Ballast champion of the world, tall, slender, faintly African features and mocha complexion. Isabelle Hamel's earnestness tempered by her blonde, blue-eyed cover-girl looks and svelte figure. She'll talk them out of the excess baggage charge, I predicted, waving back. Great kids. Bye for now, but we'll definitely be hearing from these people going forward. Stay tuned.
April 26, 2002, 12:32 AM - A few hours earlier. . .
The phone call came in from Belize confirming most, but not quite all of the arrangements. Patrick Musimu and Isabelle Hamel would fly down in the morning, and Patrick would begin work immediately with a new dive resort there. The Israeli owner is interested in building a global reputation as a freediving and tek diving venue. Isabelle would have to look for work after arriving in Belize. Never mind - a minor obstacle, in the grand scheme of things. A long way from Zaire, from Brussels, from Holland, worlds away from the pressure cooker that was the finale of the record event in the D.R.. Nine-to-five. Free at last.
April 25, 2002, 9:24 PM - The night before . . .
" It is as if an angel pissed on my tongue."
Isabelle opened her eyes, sighed mightily, and took another sip of the 1995 Leroy Mersault "Les Narvaux" we opened to complement the brilliant dinner she had prepared. She's also a skilled chef, it turns out. She approved of the wine.
We were back in Florida, seated around my dining room table, finally celebrating the new world record in a manner suited to the bashful champion's character. No crowds, no cameras, no chaos, just two couples having a quiet dinner at home. The Zairian hip-hop he'd mounted on the CD player made us all smile. Patrick let the cat out of the bag: "This is what I had in my walkman just before the dive!"
At long last, everything was right with the world. Health on the mend, spirits high, fevers low, savoring victory and rare white Burgundy.
Patrick Musimu and Isabelle Hamel were ready for the next chapter in their lives.
" Now that you've had some experience working with Pipin", I observed, perhaps a bit slyly, "You'll know what to expect next time you decide to set a world record."
Isabelle's fork froze in mid-air, the morsel of her crepe a l'orange a-quiver. Patrick's eyes rolled up. They turned and met each others' gaze. We all burst out laughing.
" Never mind that !" declared Isabelle. " For now it is back to the nine -to-five for us."
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