1 week Ago
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is in full swing here in El Nido, Palawan featuring picturesque locations in the first two rounds.After round one, which was held on Lagen Island, the divers jumped off the rocks of Small Lagoon on Miniloc Island in round two, held yesterday, April 12. The hidden lagoon served as a beautiful venue and backdrop during day two.
Rhiannan Iffland of Australia leads the women's division of the competition. | Source: Red Bull Cliff DivingRhiannan Iffland of Australia tops the women's division after the second round scoring 57.20 points making her total score 145.
60 points. She is followed by Ukraine's Nelli Chukanivska with a total score of 137.55 and then Molly Carlson of Canada with 131.
80 points, placing second and third respectively. Kaylea Arnett, who topped round two is in fourth place with 130.40 points.
“I'm leading right now, but only by a hair and a freckle. Not by much. As I said, I haven't done my dives yet, so let's say it hasn't boosted my confidence whatsoever.
I think it's never good to be too confident. Because you have to do four consistent dives. It's never over until the last dive is over.
It's a good place to sit. I wish today's dive was a bit better. It could have been better.
It could have been much worse. But it was pretty solid. I guess I put myself in a good place to go in and have the last two rounds,” Rhiannan said.
Xantheia Pennisi's second round dive | Source: Red Bull Cliff DivingMeanwhile, fellow Australian Xantheia Pennisi ranks seventh after two rounds with a score of 112. The Aussie diver, who is half Filipino, only has nice words to say about the location of this year's season opener.“It's so special diving here in El Nido.
I am representing Australia but I am half Filipino, it is representing the Philippines also. It's just really a special place to be and I feel really connected here,” she said in an interview with the local media.Although she was not happy with her second dive yesterday, she is hoping to do better in the final round, which is happening today, April 13, at the Big Lagoon, also on Miniloc Island.
“I'm really happy with my first dive but today unfortunately didn't go as planned, I did a big splash, which the judges want to see clean, no splash. But I do have my bigger dive tomorrow so I'm really hoping I can nail them,” she said. Constantin Popovic of Romania | Source: Red Bull Cliff DivingOn the other hand, in the men's division, Constantin Popovici of Romania leads the pack with a total score of 171.
50. He is followed by Jonathan Paredes of Mexico with 164.85 points and Oleksiy Prygorov of Ukraine with 164.
40 points."Day one and day two [were] pretty smooth for me. Fairly easy dives, double half and triple half, so nothing too crazy.
I [scored] nine and nine and a halfs, which I'm really happy because I've been working hard on my technique. Last year, I think this was the issue, scoring less on my easier dives. So, I really tried hard to improve that.
And, Yeah, today and yesterday was successful. So I will try to maintain this throughout the season,” Constantin said.MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT THESE BEACH DESTINATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
