Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2018 - São Miguel, Azores (POR) – Winning Dive Men

Reigning Red Bull Cliff Diving Women’s World Series champion from Australia back on top in Azores while American 'Spinmaster' makes it two in a row in Portugal. In the men's, a fascinating final saw Steven LoBue sneak past his fellow American David Colturi, who had earlier posted the highest score for an individual men's dive, with the final dive of the day to secure his second victory in a row. Cheered on by 1,000 spectators on boats and kayaks, former champion Gary Hunt of England completed the top three with a much-needed first podium of the season. It was Hunt's signature ‘triple quad’ that propelled the winner of 30 competitions back into the top three, after he had to deal with a mental block in his twisting dives at the start of this season. The increase in confidence evident at the third event of the year was also felt by 29-year-old Colturi, who currently holds the record for the hardest cliff dive, a Reverse 2 Somersaults with 5 Twists. With 9s from the judges, he not only stepped a spot higher on the podium after his 3rd place from Spain two weeks earlier, but also made it an American double with his long-term friend LoBue.
The 33-year-old from Florida made it five individual wins from 27m today, repeating his volcanic triumph from 2014 to now clearly lead the overall standings ahead of Michal Navratil, today’s fourth-placed Czech, and record man Colturi. Almost halfway into the season reigning champion Jonathan Paredes from Mexico sits in 5th overall after a disappointing 6th place from the rocks, and six-time champion Hunt makes up three positions to an overall 8. Last year’s winner here, Orlando Duque (COL), was unable to take part due to a toe and finger injury sustained while warming up for competition on Friday. Having missed out on a podium place for only the second time at the season opener in Texas, the Australian bounced back in the style befitting of a two-time World Series champion. In the lead after round one, the Aussie won all rounds from 21m and finished the purest of all stops with the highest scoring competition to date.
Steven LoBue (USA): It’s super amazing obviously any time you can come away with a podium. This location is
especially challenging between off the rocks, the ocean swells and everybody manages to step up their game; David put down a heck of a gainer twist, Gary Hunt is back, he’s doing his big twist again and so just added factors and making things more challenging. So any time you can come away with a win in that scenario it’s extra special.

Results

Men
1- Steven LoBue USA - 405.35pts
2- David Colturi USA – 404.80
3- Gary Hunt GBR - 400.20
4- Michal Navratil CZE – 369.55
5- Kris Kolanus POL - 360.55
6- Jonathan Paredes MEX - 358.20
7- Andy Jones USA – 357.85
8- Nikita Fedotov (W) RUS – 292.15
9- Slavik Kolesnikov (W) UKR - 287.80
10- Viktar Maslouski (W) BLR – 280.55
11- Sergio Guzman (W) MEX – 229.05
12- Blake Aldridge GBR – 221.70
13- Alessandro De Rose ITA - 189.85
14- Orlando Duque COL – DNS