A week on from the Red Bull Cliff Diving event in Ballycastle, the iconic World Series is still the talk of the Causeway Coast. Over three days, 12 of the world’s best female divers treated spectators to an unforgettable display of cliff diving. On Saturday, seven-time world series champion Rhiannan Iffland (Australia) topped the podium, clinching victory in Round Four after impeccable performances off the platform in Ballycastle Harbour.
The action kicked off on Thursday evening from the Lord’s Prayer, near Dunluce Castle. Famous on the North Coast since the 13th century, the Castle shot to world prominence when it featured in blockbuster series Game of Thrones.
The Red Bull Cliff Divers put on just as epic a showing, cascading from heights of 21 metres to start the event off with a bang. After the first dive of the Causeway Coast stop, it was reigning champion Rhiannan Iffland that came out on top with a score of 91.80 points, with Maria Paula Quintero (Colombia) and Molly Carlson (Canada) following in second and third position.
Early on Friday morning, eyes turned closer to Ballycastle as the divers descended on Kinbane Castle for Round Two. With the early morning sun shining on Rathlin Island in the distance, Iffland put in steely displays to edge out in front once again.
Equally impressive displays on the Saturday, in front of thousands of spectators watching on from the town, meant Iffland topped the standings after the final round. This performance sealed her victory over Ginni van Katwijk of the Netherlands, who herself claimed second place and her first ever podium. Canada’s Molly Carlson completed the women’s top three at this first ever stop in Northern Ireland.
Women (Top 3)
1: Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 371.90pts.
2: Ginni Van Katwijk (W) NED – 325.30
3: Molly Carlson CAN – 322.30
And just like that, the curtain came down on the first ever Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event in Northern Ireland. The series now moves to Oslo, Norway, in just under three weeks’ time for Round #5 out of a total of 8.
To keep up to date with that and all the action from the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, follow @RedBullIre and @RedBullCliffDiving on socials, keep an eye on Red Bull TV, or visit www.redbull.ie/cliffdiving.
