Deep Water | Tortoise Investigates In the bag | Deep Water Ep3
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Nov 25, 2025 William Trubridge, a New Zealand freediving world-record holder and organizer of the Vertical Blue competition, shares his pivotal role in the 2023 doping scandal. He dives into the controversial decision to search athletes’ luggage, revealing shocking finds of pharmaceuticals and benzodiazepines. Trubridge faces accusations of bias while grappling with the intense atmosphere during the investigation. The fallout leads to mixed reactions within the freediving community, alongside concerns of safety when sedatives are involved in extreme diving.
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Secret Plan To Tackle Doping At Vertical Blue
- William Trubridge recounts preparing Vertical Blue 2023 and planning an unexpected anti-doping move.
- He positioned himself to confront rumours and protect the sport by updating policy and planning luggage searches.
Airport Luggage Search Turned Evidentiary
- William describes meeting the Croatian divers at the airport with an armed officer and conducting luggage searches.
- He photographed blister packs, finding many medications including benzodiazepines and a banned diuretic.
Governance Gaps Hindered Consequences
- Possession of some substances triggered strong calls for sanctions, but jurisdictional gaps left enforcement inconsistent.
- ADA's non‑signatory status to WADA and institutional divisions produced conflicting responses and limited action.