On a weekend that will go down in cliff diving history, a record 23 tens (top scores) were handed out, two perfect dives were recorded in a single stop for the first time ever, and Carlow Gimeno became the first diver ever to perform a handstand dive directly off the rocks during the first round
Ireland hosted the fourth of the six-stop 2021 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series on Sunday, 12th of September at the historic and picturesque location of Downpatrick Head, Mayo. 24 of the world’s best cliff divers faced possibly their toughest test yet as they leaped, twisted and somersaulted from heights of up to 27m and at speeds in excess of 85km/h, off the rugged cliffs and into the wild Atlantic below.
Four-time World Series champion, Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland secured first place in the women’s competition with 391 points on her 11th consecutive win. Rhiannan blew her rivals out of the water with a sensational ‘perfect dive’, earning five 10s from the judges for the first time in her career. The first woman to achieve this feat, she also surpassed her own record for the highest single dive score.
Joining Iffland on the podium were Canada’s Jessica Macaulay in second place and a fellow Aussie, wildcard Xantheia Pennisi, who put on a career-best display to make the top three for the first time.
Record Breaking Weekend as the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series by INPHO/Red Bull/Morgan Treacy
“It feels great to be on top of the podium once again,” said Iffland. “I was feeding a little bit from my training partner Xantheia Pennisi as well. Coming into the last two rounds today it was neck and neck and I think I really ate up the pressure and I enjoyed it. That dive in warm up it didn’t go so well, so I decided I had to switch my mindset for the competition and made sure that I gave it my absolute all. I went through the water and went ‘wow, that really worked’. I’m super stoked and I guess I’ve got to figure out ways to spice it up and keep pushing myself. I guess I can kind of relax a little bit now and enjoy the competitions a little bit more. Saying that, I still want to go out there and give it my all to break those scores again. This is what I’m aiming for next.”
In the men’s competition, France’s Gary Hunt secured his 41st victory in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. The eight-time world series champion won with 442.50 points. Romania’s Constantin Popovici, Hunt’s closest competitor this season, earned four tens for his third-round dive. In the final round, English prodigy Aidan Heslop grabbed two, Italy’s Alessandro De Rose picked up three, while the Spanish wildcard Carlos Gimeno wowed viewers with a first-ever perfect handstand dive, becoming only the third man ever to receive five 10s from the judges.
It is testament to Hunt’s character, ability and all-round mental strength that he managed to hold off this marauding challenge from the chasing pack to climb back on top of the podium again. Popovici took second place, while De Rose made the top three for the first time since 2017.
“From Italy I expect fireworks,” said Hunt after his win. “I feel like everyone is really getting into their stride. You’ve seen how many 10s have been awarded this competition and everyone is getting comfortable. It will be really, really tough, but that’s what I love about this sport. It’s going to get tougher every year and let’s hope to finish this season with a bang.”
The divers will continue their fight for the King Kahekili trophy at the first stop of an Italian doubleheader in Puglia on 22nd September.
Results – Stop #4, Downpatrick Head, IRL:
WOMEN
1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 391.60pts.
2- Jessica Macaulay CAN – 343.80
3- Xantheia Pennisi (W) AUS – 338.20
4- Molly Carlson CAN – 316.80
5- Eleanor Smart – 302.80
6- Antonina Vyshyvanova (W) UKR – 289.85
7- Meili Carpenter (W) USA – 269.30
8- Jaki Valente BRA – 240.20
9- Iris Schmidbauer GER – 179.75
10- Adriana Jimenez (W) MEX – 110.00
MEN
1- Gary Hunt FRA – 442.50pts.
2- Constantin Popovici ROU – 433.60
3- Alessandro De Rose ITA – 419.55
4- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP – 395.40
5- David Colturi USA – 393.10
6- Michal Navratil CZE – 378.20
7- Aidan Heslop (W) GBR – 368.15
8- Steven LoBue USA – 343.65
9- Sergio Guzman (W) MEX – 342.95
10- Catalin Preda (W) ROU – 341.05
11- Andy Jones USA – 333.70
Standings* (after 4 of 6 stops)
WOMEN
1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 600pts.
2- Jessica Macaulay CAN – 420
3- Molly Carlson (W) CAN – 346
4- Xantheia Pennisi (W) AUS – 272
5- Eleanor Smart USA – 260
MEN
1- Gary Hunt FRA – 560pts.
2- Constantin Popovici ROU – 450
3- Catalin Preda (W) ROU – 339
4- Alessandro De Rose ITA – 314
5- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP – 232
*The Oslo Exhibiton did not count towards the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series standings.
