Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2018 - Polignano a Mare (ITA) - Winning Dive Men

England's Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Iffland of Australia were at their imperious best as they fought off the strong challenge of their rivals and completed their own personal comebacks to secure the title at the final stop of the 2018 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Polignano a Mare, Italy. While for Hunt it was a record seventh King Kahekili Trophy in this 10th anniversary season, Iffland can now lay claim to being the most successful female diver in the sport's history after making it a hat-trick of World Series championship wins in front of 70,000 passionate fans at the place where houses rise from the rocks. America's Steven LoBue, who had led the men's standings for most of the season, finished runner-up at both this stop and in the overall standings, while Mexican Jonathan Paredes' third place on Italy's Adriatic coast also mirrors his final position. The showdown in the men’s was just as thrilling with the 34-year-old Hunt emerging victorious for the 34th time in 72 competitions. The brilliant Brit, who has recently rediscovered the magic that led him to six titles by winning the last three stops, was tied with title contender LoBue after two rounds; The record man held his nerves to pull out two high scoring optional dives from 27m and edge out his rivals. Missing out on his third round dive, title defender Paredes finished his eighth year on the World Series in third place while FINA high diving world champion LoBue claimed second place overall - his personal best World Series result to date.
Gary Hunt (GBR): “It feels kind of strange, I forbid myself to imagine this moment. After what happened last year I said just take it as it comes if it comes and so to live this moment now I’m so, so happy. This season has really reminded me how much I love the sport. This place was a great idea to have as a final, because this town loves this sport and it’s a natural amphitheatre for this competition. This is absolutely my most special season win. It’s just the road I went on this winter, it was a really tough one and made me question myself why I’m doing this and do I want to do this. A few tough results at the start. I learned a lot about myself this year and for that reason it’s very special.”

Results - Stop #7, Polignano a Mare | ITA
1- Gary Hunt GBR – 418.65pts
2- Steven LoBue USA – 406.056
3- Jonathan Paredes MEX – 391.35
4- Michal Navratil CZE – 385.40
5- Constantin Popovici (W) ROU – 375.20

Final standings (after 7 of 7 stops)
1- Gary Hunt GBR – 1010pts
2- Steven LoBue USA – 950
3- Jonathan Paredes MEX – 790
4- Michal Navratil CZE – 680
5- Andy Jones USA – 570