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The wait is over: Champions of 2023 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series to be crowned

Published Mon 22 Jan 2024

Twenty weeks have passed since the last stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Mostar (BIH) and the fight for the overall winner could go down to the wire in both the women’s and men’s competitions. 

Australia’s Rhiannon Iffland could win the trophy in the women’s event for a record seventh time in a row. Iffland and her Canadian rival Molly Carlson are the top two divers in contention for the King Kahekili trophy, with Carlson’s growing confidence providing a palpable threat for the event podium top spot. Carlson has been the only female diver to shake the Aussie’s dominating consistency in the World Series this season, snatching the win at the last stop in September in Mostar, and breaking Iffland’s winning streak that had spanned across two seasons.

The 32-year-old reigning champion’s ability to time after time put down powerful and precise performances under pressure could see her secure her seventh overall series title. As proven in Mostar, however, it's not over until it's over. Carlson has proven she too can find courage, calm and consistency when it matters most, and there's one last chance remaining.

As well as the titles, the season premiere at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter will see the top four athletes qualify for the next season from a purpose-built 27m and 21m platform. Iffland and Carlson will secure two of those positions leaving Australia’s Xantheia Pennisi and Americans Ellie Smart and Meili Carpenter to battle for the remaining two. With the three athletes separated by just four points, the battle is sure to be fierce.  

The sixth and final stop of the season not only wraps up an exhilarating few months packed with record-breaking performances and daring dives, but also marks the debut of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in the breathtakingly picturesque city of Auckland.

Adding to the special nature of the 2023 season is the fact that, for the first time, the champions will only be crowned in the following calendar year. This also means that the 2023 season will cover the longest period of time between the first stop in June 2023 and the final showdown end of January 2024 - 239 days or 34 weeks.

In exciting news for Aussie diving fans, Australia’s Emily Chinnock is one of five athletes to receive a wildcard event in the women’s event.

Wildcards (women, men): Emily Chinnock (AUS), Simone Leathead (CAN), Maria Paula Quintero (COL), Paty Valente (BRA); David Colturi (USA), Carlos Gimeno (ESP), Jonathan Paredes (MEX), Braden Rumpit (NZL).

Standings Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2023 (after 5 of 6 stops)

WOMEN

1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 990pts.

2- Molly Carlson CAN – 860

3- Xantheia Pennisi AUS – 440

4- Eleanor Smart USA – 437

5- Meili Carpenter USA – 436

MEN

1- Constantin Popovici ROU – 832pts.

2- Aidan Heslop GBR – 699

3- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP – 573

4- Catalin Preda ROU – 528

5- Gary Hunt FRA – 442


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