Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-10-26 3:22 PM

User image

Member
50
2525
Subject: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion

Many of you have probably seen this story in the news.  Over the weekend, Open Water Swimming Superstar Fran Crippen died tragically competing in the FINA Open Water 10K World Cup swim in the UAE.

Fran was an incredible person, an incredible swimmer, and an incredible spokesman for Swimming.  The world has lost a wonderful man.

Fran finished at least 8k of the race before he disappeared.  His teammates noticed that he had not finished, and rushed back into the water to find him.  It took event organizers nearly 2 hours to locate his body.  He was found 400 meters from the finish.

This story is a frightening reminder of how important safety is in the open water.  Fran, one of the best swimmers in the world, pushed himself as far as the human body can go.  The event organizers let him down when they were not there to save him.

It is absolutely shocking to me that a swimmer could simply disappear in a World Class Race.  This should be a warning to both open water swimming organizers and triathlon organizers.  When things go wrong in the water, you only have seconds to respond.

You can read more about the life of Fran at the following links.

Be Inspired By Fran Crippen By Mike Gustafson

Tribute on Daily News of Open Water Swimming

Questions Flow In Wake Of Crippen's Death

Complete Coverage on Swimming World

 

Here’s an incredible video of Fran winning the US National Championships over the summer.  This 56 second sprint at the end of a 10,000 meter race is how Fran lived his entire life. We can all learn from his passion,? determination, and sportsmanship. He is truly an inspiration.

Fran Crippen Wins US 10K Championships

2010-10-26 3:45 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Expert
1007
1000
NW NJ
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
I read about that, sad, scary and eye opening.
2010-10-27 12:54 PM
in reply to: #3173530

Member
9

Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
This is why they should put gps chips in open water racing. And all contestants to be monitored for big races. Right now this costs a lot. But within 5 years i can see a company coming with a 15 dollar chip that tracks gps signal and sends it to the race commentators. It still does not guarantee safety 100% but if swimmers stop moving within 5 minutes people can see something is wrong and move in to action.
2010-10-27 1:30 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Veteran
361
1001001002525
North Carolina Foothills
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
mrandell - 2010-10-26 3:22 PM

It is absolutely shocking to me that a swimmer could simply disappear in a World Class Race.  This should be a warning to both open water swimming organizers and triathlon organizers.  When things go wrong in the water, you only have seconds to respond


Not shocked by this at all.

While I have only completed about 1/2 dozen open water triathlons, I never have the expectation that someone will save me if something goes wrong.

Quite honestly, when you have 400 or 500 people thrashing around in the water and just a few lifeguards in kayaks, it is amazing it doesn't happen more often.

That's why it is so frustrating to me when some people on this board tell those who aren't properly trained or are apprehensive about open water swims ... "Don't worry, there are plenty of lifeguards in kayaks to help you if something goes wrong."

This is a tragic reminder of why that is such bad advice.
2010-10-27 1:42 PM
in reply to: #3176057

User image

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
rventuri - 2010-10-28 2:30 AM
mrandell - 2010-10-26 3:22 PM It is absolutely shocking to me that a swimmer could simply disappear in a World Class Race.  This should be a warning to both open water swimming organizers and triathlon organizers.  When things go wrong in the water, you only have seconds to respond
Not shocked by this at all. While I have only completed about 1/2 dozen open water triathlons, I never have the expectation that someone will save me if something goes wrong. Quite honestly, when you have 400 or 500 people thrashing around in the water and just a few lifeguards in kayaks, it is amazing it doesn't happen more often. That's why it is so frustrating to me when some people on this board tell those who aren't properly trained or are apprehensive about open water swims ... "Don't worry, there are plenty of lifeguards in kayaks to help you if something goes wrong." This is a tragic reminder of why that is such bad advice.


Not the situation here. This was the World Championships.

By all accounts the race was grossly understaffed, undersupervised, under-everything.
2010-10-27 1:58 PM
in reply to: #3176128

User image

Veteran
361
1001001002525
North Carolina Foothills
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
TriAya - 2010-10-27 1:42 PM

Not the situation here. This was the World Championships.

By all accounts the race was grossly understaffed, undersupervised, under-everything.


Understood.

But so are a lot of local triathlons.

Open water swimming is a dangerous endeavour, regardless of the size and scope of the event. No doubt swimming 10K in 90 degree water just compounds the potential for such a tragic occurence.


2010-10-27 2:01 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Pro
4612
20002000500100
MA
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
I have also read somewhere that the water temp was really high, in the high 20s Centigrade.  That is like bath water.  For a 10K swim. 
Over-heating may have something to do with it?
2010-10-27 2:16 PM
in reply to: #3176263

User image

Member
50
2525
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
D.K. - 2010-10-27 3:01 PM I have also read somewhere that the water temp was really high, in the high 20s Centigrade.  That is like bath water.  For a 10K swim. 
Over-heating may have something to do with it?

Some reports have the water temp above 85F and the air temperature at 100F.  Over-heating was certainly a factor.  That said, there is NO excuse for the race organizers to completely lose track of him.  Here's a video I recorded this morning with more thoughts on the subject.  

Thoughts on Fran Crippen's Tragic Death





Edited by mrandell 2010-10-27 2:17 PM
2010-10-27 2:38 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Elite
3090
20001000252525
Spokane, WA
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion

mrandell - 2010-10-26 3:22 PM

This story is a frightening reminder of how important safety is in the open water.  Fran, one of the best swimmers in the world, pushed himself as far as the human body can go.  The event organizers let him down when they were not there to save him.

It is absolutely shocking to me that a swimmer could simply disappear in a World Class Race.  This should be a warning to both open water swimming organizers and triathlon organizers.  When things go wrong in the water, you only have seconds to respond. 

I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree. From what I've read, when you have these very good swimmers drown in an event, it's often a pre-existing and undiagnosed underlying medical condition. He might have went under without any warning or cry for help. Apparently no other swimmer saw him go under. A tragic loss for sure, but impossible to blame the race organizers at this point.

And I'm not sure about those that are pointing to water temp, either. It seems all the other participants made it out.

2010-10-27 2:48 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Veteran
197
100252525
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
At least one article said "the water temperature was in the mid- to high-80s, and several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race." So yes, I do think the temperature had something to do with it.
2010-10-27 3:14 PM
in reply to: #3173530

Veteran
263
1001002525
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
This is absolutely tragic. I was so shocked when I read about it.

I wonder if an autopsy will be able to figure out exactly why he died. Did he suffer a sudden heart attack (which suggests an underlying problem with his heart) or did he push himself so hard that he passed out and went unconscious and drowned as a result?

2010-10-27 5:33 PM
in reply to: #3176461

User image

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
zed707 - 2010-10-28 3:38 AM

mrandell - 2010-10-26 3:22 PM

This story is a frightening reminder of how important safety is in the open water.  Fran, one of the best swimmers in the world, pushed himself as far as the human body can go.  The event organizers let him down when they were not there to save him.

It is absolutely shocking to me that a swimmer could simply disappear in a World Class Race.  This should be a warning to both open water swimming organizers and triathlon organizers.  When things go wrong in the water, you only have seconds to respond. 

I'm sorry, but I've got to disagree. From what I've read, when you have these very good swimmers drown in an event, it's often a pre-existing and undiagnosed underlying medical condition. He might have went under without any warning or cry for help. Apparently no other swimmer saw him go under. A tragic loss for sure, but impossible to blame the race organizers at this point.

And I'm not sure about those that are pointing to water temp, either. It seems all the other participants made it out.



Until I read pretty much everything there was out there to read about THIS SPECIFIC EVENT, I was willing to have a balanced opinion about it like yours.

Not anymore.
2010-10-27 6:41 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Expert
709
500100100
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion

It's such a sad story. He trained and coached at the pool where my kids and I swim. He was a great guy. The kids absolutely adored him and he was so easy to talk to. There's a memorial swim practice on Saturday for him. It's going to be very sad. I hope that because of this some changes will be made so that nothing like this happens again. This him as an assistant coach to my daughter's team.

2010-10-27 6:51 PM
in reply to: #3177153

User image

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
elheffe99 - 2010-10-27 5:41 PM

It's such a sad story. He trained and coached at the pool where my kids and I swim. He was a great guy. The kids absolutely adored him and he was so easy to talk to. There's a memorial swim practice on Saturday for him. It's going to be very sad. I hope that because of this some changes will be made so that nothing like this happens again. This him as an assistant coach to my daughter's team.



Thank you for adding this personal touch. It's easy to be callous about the what ifs if you never knew or knew of Fran. I never met him, but I followed him and his swimming success and admired his accomplishments.

2010-10-27 7:02 PM
in reply to: #3177153

User image

Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
Jeff, when I read he coached the nadadores, i thought of you and your kids...
2010-10-27 7:14 PM
in reply to: #3173530

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
My condolences to all that knew him, his friends, and his family.

It's just so sad and senseless when things like this happen to people.

2010-10-27 9:51 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion
Oh Heffe Muffin. What a beautiful photograph and lovely words. I am sorry because you are indeed personally affected in some way.

My prayers are with his loved ones, as well as those whose lives he touched--many many many. I didn't even know him--only people who do--and for some reason this is hitting deep.
2010-10-28 5:49 PM
in reply to: #3173530

User image

Expert
709
500100100
Subject: RE: Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion

Yanti and Chris, thanks for the kind words. It will be interesting to see how the memorial on Saturday goes. So far the kids have been talking about it but haven't been affected to much. I have a feeling when everyone is at the pool, they start swimming and see the slide show it's really going to hit home. It's affecting me much more than I thought. Tough life lessons for sure.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tragic Death of Fran Crippen - US Open Water Swimming Champion Rss Feed