Rhiannan Iffland continued her remarkable winning record at the third stop of the 2021 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, while Gary Hunt returned to the top of the podium for the first time this season.
-With bad weather forecast for Saturday, competition organisers had decided to add an extra round of diving to the program on Friday afternoon, ensuring that the three dives required for a competitive result were completed. Fears of a fourth-round washout soon faded and the action got underway in the women’s event. Already holding a 37-point lead over her closest challenger going into the final round, Iffland dispatched another precise dive into the Neretva River to not only secure a record-extending 10th win in a row, but also surpass her own record competition score.
Iffland said: “I was wondering if it was a personal best score. I was coming in today with quite a lead, so that was my goal, to push that personal best score higher. Next time I’ll try and do it again.
The four-time champion added: “One thing I was saying earlier about ten wins in a row is that I grew to like the pressure. That’s one thing that’s come out of it. I’m stoked, so now I’m ready for more. Let’s make it eleven.” Mexico’s Adriana Jimenez showed no signs of rust on her first appearance in over two years, executing one of the day’s best dives in the final round to secure second place. Completing the women’s podium was Canada’s Jessica Macaulay in third.
In the men’s competition, Hunt – without a win in 2021 coming into this stop – had spoken about the threat posed by rivals Constantin Popovici and Catalin Preda. The two Romanians faltered in the rain on Friday and despite Popovici’s sensational final dive, for which he picked up two 10s, Hunt remained calm and composed to claim a 40th World Series victory – and his first as a Frenchman.
Hunt said: “40 wins, it sounds great! There are so many experiences I’ve had on this wild ride and every single one means a lot to me. Standing on top of the podium with the La Marseillaise is something special.” He added: “The title is open, absolutely. It may have looked like the Romanians fight hard, but I’m fighting hard as well.”
Joining Hunt and Popovici on the podium was Russian wildcard Nikita Fedotov, who served up a repeat of his debut here in 2017 to finish third. Earlier in the week, the 25 men and women had honoured the centuries-old diving tradition here with a first-ever competitive dive directly from the Old Bridge, before moving to the more tried and tested man-made platforms for the remaining three rounds.
The World Series next moves to the rugged Irish coasts where the divers will be tested by the elements as they leap into the Atlantic Ocean at Downpatrick Head on September 12.
Men’s result
1. Gary Hunt FRA 429.70
2. Constantin Popovici ROU 401.20
3. Nikita Fedotov (W) RUS 397.10
4. Catalin Preda (W) ROU 393.10
5. Alessandro De Rose ITA 385.50
Men’s standings
1. Gary Hunt FRA 360 points
2. Catalin Preda (W) ROU 310
3. Constantin Popovici ROU 290
4. Alessandro De Rose ITA 184
5. Andy Jones USA 138
Women’s result
1. Rhiannan Iffland AUS 385.10
2. Adriana Jimenez (W) MEX 331.95
3. Jessica Macaulay CAN 324.95
4. Yana Nestsiarava BLR 323.15
5. Eleanor Smart 297.60
Women’s standings
1. Rhiannan Iffland AUS 400 points
2. Jessica Macaulay CAN 260
3. Molly Carlson (W) CAN 236
4. Eleanor Smart USA 168
5. Yana Nestsiarava BLR 160
Quelle: Red Bull Racing
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