The battle for the title and the King Kahekili Trophies went down to the wire in the men’s and women’s competitions. The 21m and 27m diving platforms overlook the waterfront of Auckland’s vibrant Wynyard Quarter, where the bustling cityscape meets the stunning WaitematÄ Harbour.
For theĀ first time since 2017, a brand new Men’s World Series Champion was crowned.Ā 55,000 spectatorsĀ came out on two days of competition to witness the final dives of the season and see two World Series champions crowned in challenging weather conditions.Ā
In the women’s competition, Australian record holderĀ Rhiannan Iffland (AUS)Ā tookĀ first placeĀ with anĀ Inward 3 Somersault 1/2 TwistĀ in the final round. The judges rewarded her flawless dive with a 9 and an 8.5 for a total of 365.00 points. Iffland takes an emotional fifth win of the season in front of her family and supporters.
She wins her 35th event and herĀ seventh consecutive World Series title, a record no other cliff diver has achieved. In second place wasĀ Xantheia Pennisi, also from Australia, who performed aĀ Back 3 somersaults 1 TwistĀ in the final round, giving her 8s and a total of 337.10 points.
It’s also a new personal best for as she finishes in third in the overall World Series ranking.Ā Jessica MacaulayĀ from Canada took third place with aĀ Back 3 Somersaults, which she performed very well, earning her 8s from the judges and a total of 331.00 points.
In the men’s competition,Ā Romanian Constantin PopoviciĀ landed anĀ Armstand Back 3 1/2 Somersaults 3 Twists PikeĀ with a very high DD of 6.0. Due to the difficulty of the dive, 7s and a 6 catapult him intoĀ first place. 413.90 points are just enough for his third win of the season andĀ his first World Series title. Second place went toĀ Catalin Preda from RomaniaĀ with aĀ Back 4 Somersaults 2 Twists.
The judges rewarded him withĀ the highest dive score in the men’s competition, which is his third podium finish of the season and fourth place in the World Series standings. Third place went toĀ Carlos Gimeno (ESP)Ā with aĀ Back 5 Somersault. A solid execution without big mistakes earns him 8.0s and a 7.5 from the judges.
It is another surprise podium finish for the Spaniard, and he is able to claim third place in the overall standings, which secures him a spot in the permanent line-up for the 2024 season.
