Spanish diver Carlos Gimeno and unstoppable Australian Rhiannan Iffland overcame the wind and waves and recorded victories at the second stop of this season’s Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, held in Polignano a Mare, Italy. The two-day competition on the Adriatic coast was followed by 35.000 people.
Gimeno, who last celebrated in Mostar in 2023, raised his form after a weaker start in the first round and eventually won by 38 points ahead of second-placed Frenchman Gary Hunt, while third place went to Mexican Jonathan Paredes.
“This is a dream come true, one of the best moments of my life. I worked hard to prepare for this competition, so I’m in the best shape of my life, and that made the difference. When you work hard every day and really believe in yourself, you will always achieve your dream,” said an overjoyed Gimeno.
This 35-year-old handstand specialist ignored the wind warning and, despite the difficult conditions, decided to perform such a jump not once, but twice, for which he was rewarded with victory. The jump directly from a private balcony in the second round laid the foundation for the triumph, and the Spaniard received two nines and a score of 9.5 from the judges before earning scores of 8.5 in the final round for a big triumph.
Gimeno also received a bonus point in the championship for that second jump, which was chosen as the best jump of the weekend. With this victory, he joined Paredes in sharing second place in the overall standings, seven points behind 41-year-old leader Hunt, who, after winning first and second place at the first two stops of the shortened season, hopes for the title.
In the women’s competition, the unshakable Iffland showed consistency and, despite the wind and waves, achieved her 43rd victory in 53 appearances from a platform 21 meters high. Canadian Molly Carlson withdrew from the competition due to an injury sustained on Friday during training, and second place went to her compatriot Simone Leathead. Despite an impressive performance, this 22-year-old still ended up eight points behind the phenomenal Rhiannan, who achieved her ninth consecutive victory in the home of European cliff diving.
“I definitely didn’t want these waves, I prefer jumping in calm conditions. However, we have to deal with what Mother Nature gives us. The pressure is always there, and with each competition it gets harder to overcome. But what drives me is remembering why I do this sport in incredible places like this,” said Iffland.
Perhaps the most interesting performance over the weekend came from the recipient of the wildcard invitation, American Lisa Faulkner. Despite an uncertain start, the 37-year-old performed a phenomenal jump in the third round and received eights from the judges, which earned her third place. Lisa thus became the oldest debutant in the history of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, who climbed the winners’ podium after her first appearance.
Italian Elisa Cosetti, in front of thousands of local fans in this natural sports amphitheater, took fourth place, and the same achievement was made by her boyfriend Andrea Barnaba in the men’s competition. Looking at the overall standings, Iffland is getting closer to her ninth King Kahekili trophy.
The 33-year-old has a 17-point lead over Simone Leathead, while American Kaylea Arnett trails by an additional point in third place.
The next stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), namely the city of Mostar, where the world’s best divers will jump from the Old Bridge over the Neretva River on September 5th and 6th.
