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This was the last jump. David Colturi had made a close to perfection and could win. However, sitting in the boat, he shouted at the top of the islet, "Come on, Steven! A motivation for the only athlete who could win the victory. And it was so. Steven LoBue returned to the Cliff Diving stage in the Azores four years later and won two consecutive victories in 2018 after conquering Bilbao. Also Rhiannan Iffland is a repeat after the triumph in 2016, but if in the men's difference was less a point, already the Australian has dominated the Azorean stadium from start to finish.
The attitude of Colturi is not reduced to two American athletes. Rivalries exist, after all, there is a title in dispute. The union is excellent even for the danger that surrounds the dive cliff, especially in the face of the most difficult stage of the competition, with some of the jumps to be made directly from the rock. In the end, Colturi proudly held the trophy for second place: "It's such a tough place that when we're on the podium this is excellent."
Steven LoBue (33) kept smiling until he was asked who could win the championship. With two wins and a sixth place in the United States, the American leads with 470 points, 110 more than the Czech Michal Navratil, fourth in the Azores. "This year, I have a different mentality, one moment at a time, one dive at a time, and what I really want, is going back to my family," he said, not wanting to think too much about the future. In the circuit since 2011, the best results of LoBue were the third places in 2012 and 2014.
The story of Rhiannan Iffland (26 years old) is quite different. Two years in the circuit, two championships. She has become the queen of Cliff Diving and does not want to give up the throne. He started badly in the United States, considering that he is used to fighting for wins.
In second place was Mexican Adriana Jimenez, winner in 2017 on the island, who won the first stage in the United States. Still leading the rankings, but only 50 points. The women's competition has two stages less than two men, and it was the second (they were not in Bilbao).
On the island of Vila Franca do Campo, Iffland finished with 324.95 points, with Jimenez adding 294.30. Canada's Lysanne Richard finished second at 285.80. In men, the differences were much smaller. LoBue added 405.35 against Colturi's 404.80. Gary Hunt, six-time champion and three-time winner in the Azores, was third at 400.20 points.
Guaranteed Return
LoBue could be impatient to go home and see the family, but he was the most cheeky when the Secretary General of Energy, Environment and Government Tourism Azores Regional Council, Marta Guerreiro, announced that in 2019 Vila Franca do Campo will open its doors to receive for the eighth time in a row Red Bull Cliff Diving. "I'm very happy to be back because every year it's a place that pushes us to challenge the limits," LoBue said. Even before confirmation, Iffland had said that he hoped to return. "I honestly do not want to leave," he said.
For LoBue, winning in the Azores is only possible with four good jumps. The first day, the 23 athletes jumped directly from the rock (they were 24 years old, but Orlando Duque was injured before the start of the competition). In the second, they went to platforms placed 21 meters for women and 27 for men. But it is this rock jump that attracts everyone, even if only to get there is a challenge. First the ascent then a little reminder at the place of the jump, which leaves no room for large movements. "It's always difficult," said Iffland
. For the year, there is more in the Azores, but the championship continues in Sisikon, Switzerland, on August 5th. The 25th will be the turn of Denmark to receive the Cliff Diving in Copenhagen, but only for men. Then, for everyone, there will be a trip to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina (September 8th) and finally to Polignano a Mare, Italy (September 23rd).
History of the scene in the Azores
2016: Gary Hunt (GB) / Rhiannan Iffland (Aus)
2018: Steven LoBue (USA) / Rhiannan Iffland (Aus) [19659002] 2017: Orlando Duque (Col) / Adriana Jimenez 19659002] 2013: Gary Hunt (GB)
2012: Artem Silchenko (Russia)
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