The brilliant Brit wins the US leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series and Rachelle Simpson takes victory in the women’s competition at Hell’s Gate, Texas, on June 7, 2014.
Seven athletes in the final round, and seven ripped entries – it was a red-hot final following a competition that saw outstanding action from 28m and which included six 10s from the judges. The man on top of the podium was none other than the triple World Series champion Gary Hunt, from England, with his unbelievably difficult diving programme. Reigning champion Artem Silchenko came in second and American Steven LoBue finished third on home soil. 6,700 spectators on Possum Kingdom Lake witnessed the first of three competitions in the Women’s World Series from 20m and saw Texan Rachelle Simpson claim first place.
With the highest overall score in a single competition in the history of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series (526.40pts) Gary Hunt put on another cliff diving masterclass to win the second competition of the season and take the overall lead. By hitting his latest dive – a front triple somersault with three and a half twists pike – with a Degree of Difficulty of 5.8 he dove to victory ahead of Russia’s Artem Silchenko (503.90), in second, and Steven LoBue (493.05), in third. The American came out as the winner of the head-to-head pairing with Orlando Duque, after the cliff diving legend failed his dive in the third round and found himself at the bottom of the rankings.
There were also top marks for style and poise in the first-ever Women’s World Series competition which saw seven athletes compete from a 20m platform. Rachelle Simpson, who hails from San Antonio, took first place, with Anna Bader, of Germany, in second, and fellow Texan Cesilie Carlton, in third. The next competition for the female athletes will be in Norway in mid July.
The temperature scale climbed up to a hot 38° Celsius at Hell’s Gate during this weekend when 19 of the world’s best cliff divers leapt from dizzying heights and into Possum Kingdom Lake in the USA’s Lone Star State. After Hawaii in 2010, and Boston for the past three years, the World Series enjoyed southern hospitality for the first time. From hot and dry Texas, the World Series heads to Inis Mór, Ireland, for the first European stop in three weeks’ time.
QUOTES OF THE WINNERS
Gary Hunt (UK)
I did four good dives and a new personal best score so I couldn’t ask for much more. It was slightly disappointing not to use my new big dive, but I had to play this one tactically and I knew that keeping my programme was the best chance of taking the win. There was so much pressure on the last dive. There were so many amazing dives in the final round. It just pumps you up so much when you’re hearing the scores come through, and you just want to keep that streak going. You don’t want to be the one who does a bad dive and, yeah, I think I did alright! The crowd sounded like they were having a great time, I think I’m going to join them!
Rachelle Simpson (USA)
I’m ecstatic – it means so much to me to win. My whole family and friends were out here and I just wanted to put up a good show and represent Texas. I’ve been training for a while now and I just wanted to come out and have a consistent competition. I thought I would have a good chance if I hit my dives.
My last one was a little bit shorter than I would have liked but it ended up paying off. I’m going to keep training between now and the next women’s competition in Norway and I’m excited to be a part of this.
RESULTS STOP 2, POSSUM KINGDOM LAKE
MEN
1. Gary Hunt | UK | 526.40pts
2. Artem Silchenko | RUS | 503.90
3. Steven LoBue | USA | 493.05
4. Michal Navratil | CZE | 471.20
5. Andy Jones | USA | 463.20
6. Jonathan Paredes | MEX | 462.35
7. David Colturi | USA | 456.80
8. Anatoliy Shabotenko (wildcard) | UKR | 321.20
9. Mat Cowen (wildcard) | UK | 294.90
10. Blake Aldridge | UK | 255.70
11. Kent De Mond (wildcard) | USA | 253.90
12. Orlando Duque | COL | 197.60
WOMEN
1. Rachelle Simpson | USA | 222.30pts
2. Anna Bader | GER | 218.70
3. Cesilie Carlton | USA | 215.55
4. Adriana Jimenez (wildcard) | MEX | 195.80
5. Tara Hyer-Tira (wildcard) | USA | 190.30
6. Ginger Leigh Huber | USA | 187.60
7. Jacqueline Valente | BRA | 132.70
Red Bull Cliff DIving World Series 2014
It’s pure, it’s fast and it takes your breath away. Cliff divers leap aesthetically from almost three times the Olympic height and hit the water at speeds of 85kph, protected only by their concentration, skill and physical control. Since 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has featured the biggest talents, the most promising newcomers, and since 2013 has also provided a platform for women. Seven tough competitions for the men, three challenges for the women – in its sixth season this jaw-dropping sport will hit new as well as proven ground in the Caribbean, the continents of North and South America and Europe between May and October to determine a new champion for both men and women.
Maurice Lacroix is the official watch partner of the 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.