Newcomers Stun in Season Opener of Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

Canada’s Molly Carlson and Aidan Heslop of the UK scored their first-ever Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series victories on Saturday, June 4th, ousting the reigning men’s and women’s champions in an exceptional display at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art.

In her very first appearance as a permanent World Series athlete, following an impressive debut season as a wildcard in 2021, 23-year-old Carlson produced four rounds of flawless diving to edge out the five-time champion Rhiannan Iffland, ending the Australian’s 13-event winning streak.

Heslop, 20, also in his first showing as a permanent diver, was simply too good today for his more experienced rivals, blowing away the nine-time champion Gary Hunt of France with his final dive – a Forward 4 Somersaults, 3 1/2 Twists Pike – which broke the record for the highest-scoring single dive in World Series history.

Fans can relive all the action and watch the live replay of the event exclusively on Red Bull TV.

From the sports-crazed city of Boston, the World Series travels next to Europe and for the first time will be held in the French capital. In two weeks time, the series will dive into Paris, the home city of the reigning men’s champion Gary Hunt.

Quotes from the winners

Molly Carlson, CAN

“I’m speechless! I never dove in front of my family before and to go there, have so much fun, and be so proud of what I’ve done in front of them is just a dream come true. I’ve trained indoors and it’s always scary going outside for the first time. I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it and dive outside well and there it was. I’m excited to continue the momentum and have some fun around the world and see where the season takes us.”

Aidan Heslop, GBR

“Crazy day! I did both my optionals the way I wanted to and I couldn’t have asked for any better; being on top of the podium and Molly, my girlfriend, up on the top of the podium as well. A lot of new divers are coming into the sport and the dives are getting harder and harder every year. Being able to compete with the boys at the top is a dream of mine. I’ve been watching the sport for such a long time, I’m diving with my idols now.”

Results – Stop #1 Season Opener, Boston, USA

WOMEN

1- Molly Carlson CAN – 377.40pts.

2- Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 373.60

3- Meili Carpenter (W) USA – 323.55

4- Ellie Smart USA – 313.90

5- Jessica Macaulay CAN – 311.10

6- Xantheia Pennisi AUS – 301.60

7- Adriana Jimenez MEX – 293.45

8- Iris Schmidbauer (W) GER – 280.05

9- Maria Paula Quintero COL – 274.20

10- Antonina Vyshyvanova (W) UKR – 273.30

11- Genevieve Bradley (W) USA – 251.30

12- Maria Smirnova (W) USA – 196.95

MEN

1- Aidan Heslop GBR – 462.50pts.

2- Gary Hunt FRA – 424.85

3- Catalin Preda ROU – 412.30

4- Alessandro De Rose ITA – 390.90

5- David Colturi (W) USA – 385.95

6- Nikita Fedotov IAT – 376.00

7- Carlos Gimeno (W) ESP – 368.80

8- Michal Navratil (W) CZE – 364.95

9- Andy Jones (W) USA – 358.00

10- Constantin Popovici ROU – 339.30

11- Oleksiy Prygorov UKR – 309.60

12- Jonathan Paredes MEX – 145.80

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

Since 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has provided a platform for aesthetic free falls and dives of ever-growing complexity, spotlighting the sport’s finest athletes as well as the most promising breakthrough talents. A pure extreme sport, the World Series is hosted in exceptional locations where athletes launch from natural rocks, historical bridges or next to waterfalls always with the aim of acting environmentally responsible and increasing the awareness for the sustainability of our planet.

In 2022, 24 of the world’s best cliff divers – 12 women and 12 men – will once again leap, twist, and somersault from breath-taking heights of up to 90ft / 27m and at speeds in excess of 53 m/h / 85km/h, with no protection but their concentration, skill, and physical control, at eight demanding stops around the world. A thrilling quest for perfection and excellence to win the glorious King Kahekili Trophy is guaranteed in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series’ 13th season.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

Tags: Cliff Diving World Series, Red Bull

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.