Bilbao, Spain
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series finale
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by Marta via twitter 9/26/2015 7:50:25 AM -
We still have a few hours to go until competition begins, so enjoy some highlights from yesterday's Seeding Round.
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Unfortunately, Artem Silchenko will not be diving this weekend, following a nasty leg injury he suffered in the last stop. But it's great to see the Russian here in Bilbao, watching and supporting his fellow divers.
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Warning: Just over one hour to go until we see divers taking to the air!
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If you didn't know already, here are the scores from yesterday's seeding round and today's head-to-head pairings -
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 102.60 v Jucelino JUNIOR | BRA - 74.10
David COLTURI | USA - 102.60 v Kyle MITRIONE | USA - 85.50
Gary HUNT | UK - 100.70 v Steven LOBUE | USA - 85.50
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 98.80 v Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 85.50
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 96.90 v Alessandro DE ROSE | ITA - 89.30
Andy JONES | USA - 96.90 v Kris KOLANUS | POL - 89.30
Miguel GARCIA | COL - 96.90 v Orlando DUQUE | COL - 91.20 -
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Just a few more minutes now. The divers have had a few warm up efforts, and now the competition begins. For the final time this year, here we go...It's time to dive!
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Nice start from Jucelino Junior. He matches Jonathan Paredes with a 96.90, but the Mexican will still take a healthy lead into their final head-to-head round.
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Next up, two Americans go head-to-head. Another 96.90 for Kyle Mitrione, and David Colturi scores 95.00. The bearded Colturi still holds a 15 point lead in that one.
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Now for Gary Hunt...and it's another beautiful dive from the Brit. He carries a 24 point lead over Steven Lobue into their final head-to-head round.
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Brilliant effort from Michal Navratil (98.80), and he cuts Sergio Guzman's (91.20) lead down to 5.7 points.
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Oh dear, not a great dive from Blake Aldridge there, and he's let Alessandro De Rose back into this head-to-head. They're tied on 171.00 as it stands.
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Wow, what about this from Kris Kolanus! A 98.80 brings him to within 1.9 points of Andy Jones (93.10). That will put some pressure on the American, for sure.
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So, here are the scores after the 1st round of head-to-heads -
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 199.50 v Jucelino JUNIOR | BRA - 171.00
David COLTURI | USA - 197.60 v Kyle MITRIONE | USA - 182.40
Gary HUNT | UK - 199.90 v Steven LOBUE | USA - 175.00
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 190.00 v Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 184.30
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 171.00 v Alessandro DE ROSE | ITA - 171.00
Andy JONES | USA - 190.00 v Kris KOLANUS | POL - 188.10
Miguel GARCIA | COL - 169.10 v Orlando DUQUE | COL - 184.30 -
So, a couple of tight match-ups going into the final head-to-head round. Blake Aldridge and Alessandro De Rose, both tied on 171.00, is a very interesting one. Next round then, here we go...
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Ouch, a painful entry for Jucelino Junior (277.00). No problems for Jonathan Paredes (324.45), and he's comfortably through to the final.
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David Colturi steps up, Kyle Mitrione's 295.50 to beat...
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It's not a great dive from Colturi, but it's enough to see him through to the final with 309.20.
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Steven LoBue, what a dive!! Perfection and he'll put a little bit of pressure on Gary Hunt with a score of 322.90.
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But it's all gone wrong, and he loses his head-to-head with Steven LoBue. Maybe, just maybe, he can sneak through as lucky loser. We'll see...
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Michal Navratil now, working the crowd and then executing an armstand take-off...brilliant (323.95)! But look at this, Sergio Guzman (333.00) with a sensational dive and he'll be the one heading to the final.
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Now for that tight match-up between Alessandro De Rose and Blake Aldridge. And...it's the Brit who surges through with 322.20.
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So, can Andy Jones see off the challenge of the impressive wildcard, Kris Kolanus? It's going to be tough, the Pole has just posted a score of 315.50. The tall, bearded American steps up...
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Andy holds his breath as he waits for the score...and he's through to the final with 325.15.
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In the final head-to-head, it's Orlando Duque (327.10) who comfortably progresses against Miguel Garcia (276.35)
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So, would you believe it, Gary Hunt will miss the final for the first time this year. Here are the 8 finalists who will fight it out for victory.
Sergio GUZMAN | MEX - 333.00
Orlando DUQUE | COL - 327.10
Andy JONES | USA - 325.15
Jonathan PAREDES | MEX - 324.45
Lucky loser - Michal NAVRATIL | CZE - 323.95
Steven LOBUE | USA - 322.90
Blake ALDRIDGE | UK - 322.20
David COLTURI | USA - 309.20 -
After the first two dives in the final, Blake Aldridge leads with 467.80. David Colturi scored 438.00. Here comes Steven LoBue...
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Wow! What a dive...again!! Steven's on 481.50, and holds the lead as we stand.
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Now for Michal Navratil, pumping up the crowd as always...
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He loves it, he pumps his fist...but it's not enough. He lies in 3rd with 445.85.
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Bad news for Jonathan Paredes (436.65). It's a messy entry for the Mexican and he won't be making the podium today.
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Andy Jones up next, but he's not happy with that final dive (434.35). He has, though, wrapped up automatic qualification to the 2016 World Series. Well done Andy!
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So close for Orlando Duque! He scores 469.90 and takes 2nd place on the podium. Sergio Guzman doesn't do enough in his final dive, and that's it...
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What an amazing afternoon, pure drama! Joining Steven LoBue on the podium are Orlando Duque in 2nd place, and Blake Aldridge in 3rd.
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Steven LoBue is the hero today, but let's not forget that Gary Hunt is now celebrating a 5th World Series win in seven years. Congratulations both, let the party start!!
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