The sixth competition of this season’s Red Bull Cliff Diving World Cup 2016 was held last weekend in Wales. Michal Navratil won in men’s and Rhiannan Iffland in women’s competition, and the next stop for the world’s best jumpers is Mostar, where we will have the opportunity to watch their amazing acrobatic jumps on the Old Bridge in less than two weeks.
Competition in Wales was supposed to be held on Saturday and Sunday, but due to the announced weather conditions and strong wind, it was moved to Saturday.
The current champion, Briton Gary Hunt, wished triumph on his home territory, but Czech Michal Navratil surprised him and won in a dramatic finish, with only few points more.
Navratil’s victory is even greater knowing that he recently operated his knee, which is the reason he missed the last competition in Italy. After the operation, he has not trained for a month and he intended to perform only one jump in Wales, but as the jump turned out great and he felt more than good, he decided to continue, and came to the first victory of his career. Hunt was second, and Andy Jones (USA) won the third place.
This is the first victory in 8 years of participation in the championship and 53 competitions for Navratil, and he never dreamed that he would win on the competition at which he did not have any ambition. He came to the 4th place in overall ranking with this victory.
In the women competition, the biggest sensation of the Championship, Australian debutant Rhiannan Iffland, achieved her third victory in four competitions and further strengthened her place at the top of the overall ranking. Lysanne Richard (Canada) won the second place, and Cesilie Carlton (USA) won the third place. In the championship of men, Hunt is leading, followed by Mexican Paredes and Jones. Although Hunt and Iffland are leading, a lot can change in the overall standings in the remaining three competitions.
And the next stop of the world championship is Mostar, an event that fans of jumps in the water in our country are waiting for a long time. On Sunday, the 24th of September, Red Bull Cliff Diving World Cup will be held on the Old Bridge for the second time. Unlike last year, when only men performed, the audience in Mostar this year will have the opportunity to enjoy the competition of the world’s best female jumpers.
(Source: klix.ba)
