The Romanian won the second Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event of his career on Saturday in Paris with an exceptional performance. Rhiannan Iffland is back to winning the women’s event.
Romanian Catalin Preda dominated the second stage of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2022 in Paris on Saturday 25 June. Right next to the Eiffel Tower, the man from Bucharest achieved the best score ever seen at a world event. He beat defending champion Gary Hunt of France on the final dive of the final. In the women’s competition, Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland was back to her best. She toppled her Canadian rival Molly Carlson to claim her first victory of the season. In total, more than 20,000 spectators braved the scorching temperatures to watch the event along the Seine.
Preda, nicknamed the Romanian Shark by Gary Hunt, went on the attack in the first round. He got a 10 from the judges on his first jump into the Seine on Friday. Two more high-level dives followed. The 30-year-old Preda then managed to keep his cool in the fourth round to get two more 10s.
In the women’s event, Rhiannan Iffland had, for once, let the top spot slip away in Boston a fortnight ago. The Australian was beaten by rising star Molly Carlson. The defeat actually boosted the Australian champion. In the heat of Paris, the star of the discipline took her revenge on her young rival. She has now won 14 of her last 15 World Series events.
The battle for the titles promises to be thrilling!
In the women’s category, a duel between Iffland and Carlson is taking shape this season. If the Australian remains the great favourite thanks to her enormous experience, the fight for the King Kahekili trophy is going to be tight.
As for the men, there have been great duels for the world title in recent years — Orlando Duque versus Hunt, Artem Silchenko versus Hunt, Jonathan Paredes versus Hunt — but this year there may be a four-way tie to the finish for the first time.
Although Aidan Heslop did not repeat his majestic performance in Boston in Paris, the 20-year-old Briton has the weapons to join Preda, Hunt and Constantin Popovici in the title race.
After Paris, the World Series moves to the next European capital. The world’s elite in Cliff Diving will meet in Copenhagen on 16 July.
Results — Stage #2, Paris, FRA
WOMEN
1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS — 383.15pts.
2- Molly Carlson CAN — 350.70
3- Eleanor Smart USA — 314.80
4- Jessica Macaulay CAN — 291.55
5- Xantheia Pennisi AUS — 285.80
6- Adriana Jimenez MEX — 275.85
7- Maria Paula Quintero COL — 240.35
8- Anna Bader (W) GER — 240.10
9- Yana Nestsiarava IAT — 239.65
10- Aimee Harrison (W) CAN — 233.60
11- Celia Fernandez (W) ESP — 204.05
12- Jaki Valente (W) BRA — 167.20
MEN
1- Catalin Preda ROU — 470.50pts.
2- Gary Hunt FRA — 438.05
3- Constantin Popovici ROU — 432.90
4- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP — 401.40
5- Alessandro De Rose ITA — 394.90
6- Aidan Heslop GBR — 391.30
7- Nikita Fedotov IAT- 380.55
8- Blake Aldridge (W) GBR — 374.80
9- Sergio Guzman (W) MEX — 369.50
10- Oleksiy Prygorov UKR — 365.50
11- Jonathan Paredes MEX — 346.80
12- Artem Silchenko (W) IAT — 323.75
Championship standings (after 2 of 8 stages)
WOMEN
1- Rhiannan Iffland AUS — 360pts.
1- Molly Carlson CAN — 360
3- Eleanor Smart USA — 240
4- Jessica Macaulay CAN — 202
5- Xantheia Pennisi AUS — 168
MEN
1- Catalin Preda (W) ROU — 330pts.
2- Gary Hunt FRA — 320
3- Aidan Heslop GBR — 276
4- Alessandro De Rose ITA — 202
5- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP — 172
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
Since 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series brings together the best divers on the planet and the future stars of the sport for a high-flying competition that is increasingly complex and spectacular. Cliff Diving is a truly extreme sport. Athletes can dive from cliffs, bridges, or next to giant waterfalls, all while being environmentally responsible.
In 2022, 24 of the world’s best athletes — 12 men and 12 women — are competing for victory. All of them will perform a series of somersaults, jumping from a platform 27 metres high for the men (21 metres for the women) and reaching a speed of 85km/h. The divers have no protection. It’s all about technique and physics on the 8 stages of the circuit. A sensational challenge with the prestigious King Kahekili Trophy as the prize. The ultimate trophy is once again up for grabs in this 13th season of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
