Hat-trick for Gary Hunt in 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Kragerø, Norway, on July 12
The World Series has seen three champions to date and all three champions finished on the podium at the fourth stop of the year. Veteran Orlando Duque took his first top-three finish of the season, reigning champion Artem Silchenko was in second for the second time and Englishman Hunt made it three consecutive wins. In the second women’s competition of the season, Rachelle Simpson repeated her success in Texas to take victory again. The 2014 competitions reached their midway point this weekend in Scandinavia’s summer hot spot and 10,000 spectators provided a floating arena of boats and ships. In bright sunshine, Gary Hunt extended the overall lead and the fight for the top positions remains tight.
There’s no stopping Gary Hunt these days, as the 30-year-old amassed a total of 513.10 points, thanks in part to a near faultless execution of his back triple quad from the 28m platform. 10-time world champion Orlando Duque (490.50pts) is the fifth athlete to finish on the podium this season and a recovering Russian, Artem Silchenko (506.30pts), was only 6.8 points behind the winner. The competition is close, a 10 for Jonathan Paredes’ fourth dive doesn’t guarantee a podium and two-time podium finisher Steven LoBue (USA) didn’t make it into the final round of the top-eight divers. It’s the middle of the season and the athletes are on top of their game.
In the Women’s World Series event, Texan Rachelle Simpson (230.20pts) claimed her second straight success as eight female cliff divers competed from 20 metres in a three-round competition. Six-time European cliff diving champion, Anna Bader (216.30pts), from Germany, was leading after the first two rounds but was forced into second place, with American Ginger Leigh Huber (201.10pts) completing the podium. With only the final competition to come for the ladies, the fight for the title is still wide open.
The overall rankings are led by Gary Hunt (730pts), the three-time champion who clearly wants his title back from title holder Artem Silchenko (430pts), who’s moved up to third overall. In between the two heavyweights sits wonder boy Jonathan Paredes from Mexico (470pts), who’s probably the most consistent athlete hitting the water at speeds of 90kph. Just 60 points divide ranks four to seven.
800 boats and ships and thousands of spectators along the shoreline turned the picturesque Kragerø archipelago into a floating arena. The divers’ view from the 28m platform on the skerry could hardly have been more impressive before their take-off into three seconds of acrobatic freefall.
The world’s best cliff divers’ next chance to catch the triple champion is in Portugal’s Azores, on July 26.
QUOTES OF THE WINNERS
Gary Hunt (UK)
Any time that I go over 500 points it’s a solid performance and today I felt good. It was such a great competition – to battle with the champion [Artem Silchenko] is an amazing thing. Both of us nailing our big dives made for a great competition. I did leave the door open slightly for Artem with my last dive, only getting 8.5s on it, so I’m delighted to have taken the win. I think it will be a battle between us two for the title, but there are still three events to go, so who knows.
Rachelle Simpson (USA)
I feel really confident with how the year is going, I just need to keep it going and remain consistent. I can still improve my take-offs, but other than that it’s looking good. I was nervous after training my big dive, my triple and one a half, but it went well today. It’s so beautiful here in Norway, I’d love to come back! Four girls did new dives here – it’s great for the sport and so good to see the girls trying new things and nailing it.
RESULTS STOP 4, KRAGERØ
MEN
1. Gary Hunt | UK | 513.10
2. Artem Silchenko | RUS | 506.30
3. Orlando Duque | COL | 490.50
4. Jonathan Paredes | MEX | 475.25
5. Michal Navratil | CZE | 444.70
6. David Colturi | USA | 442.00
7. Kris Kolanus | POL | 427.75
8. Blake Aldridge | UK | 394.30
9. Miguel Garcia Celis (wildcard) | COL | 309.30
10. Steven LoBue | USA | 298.60
11. Anatoliy Shabotenko (wildcard) | UKR | 293.70
12. Andy Jones | USA | 272.00
13. Kent De Mond (wildcard) | USA | 265.45
14. Kai Kirbs (wildcard) | GER | 177.85
WOMEN
1. Rachelle Simpson | USA | 230.20pts
2. Anna Bader | GER | 216.30
3. Ginger Leigh Huber | USA | 201.10
4. Tara Hyer-Tira (wildcard) | USA | 179.80
5. Adriana Jimenez (wildcard) | MEX | 178.70
6. Jacqueline Valente | BRA | 165.80
7. Yana Nestsiarava (wildcard) | BLR | 165.70
8. Cesilie Carlton | USA | 162.50
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