Great Britain’s Aidan Heslop secured the first title of his Red Bull Cliff Diving career in Sydney on Sunday, rounding off a spectacular season with a fifth-place finish to secure the coveted King Kahekili trophy, while Rhiannan Iffland, confirmed champion at the previous stop, celebrated her record-extending eighth title with a dominant victory on home soil.
Here is how it happened.
On a dramatic down Down Under, Ukraine’s Oleksiy Prygorov scored a stunning maiden victory from the 27m platform. The 37-year-old became the oldest first-time winner since his late great compatriot Andrey Ignatenko won at the age of 44 in 2009.
However, it was Heslop who grabbed the headlines after battling through injury to write his name into the history books as the youngest champion in the sport’s history. The 22-year-old finally fulfilled the prophecy of many cliff diving experts by wrapping up his maiden title following two
consecutive runner-up spots.
“It’s been bittersweet the last two years, but to finally take home this trophy is so cool,” Heslop said. “I had a pretty rough day yesterday, but managed to bring it back today and end with a bang. The whole season has been so good, so consistent for me, and I can’t wait to stand on that podium.”
While Heslop celebrated his first title on a blustery afternoon in Sydney, Romania’s Constantin Popovici finished in third place on the day to secure the runner-up spot on the overall podium. Meanwhile, an uncharacteristic ninth-place finish for James Liechtenstein ultimately demoted the American to third overall. Spain’s Carlos Gimeno, the Sydney runner-up, ended the
season in fourth.
In the women’s competition, it was the invincible Iffland who once again crushed the opposition from the 21m platform, collecting her sixth win of the season to ensure a glorious homecoming in front of friends, family and thousands of jubilant fans gathered beside the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
“Wow, that was electric. I was looking out over the crowd and trying to take some energy from it. It was incredible. It was tough to be consistent this year and it’s getting tougher and tougher, but that makes it all the more rewarding,” Iffland said.
Rhiannan Iffland (L) of Australia and Aidan Heslop of the UK celebrate with their World Series trophies during the last competition day of the eighth and final stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Sydney, Australia on November 10, 2024. // Ken Leanfore / Red Bull Content Pool
Molly Carlson, perennial title rival to Iffland, held onto second place overall despite missing out on the final stop due to injury – her third runner-up spot in a row. Meanwhile, the Canadian’s impressive compatriot, Simone Leathead, finished second on the day to snatch third spot on the overall season podium.
Nelli Chukanivska of Ukraine completed the top three in Sydney, a result which earns the 17-year-old an upgrade from wildcard to permanent status on the 2025 World Series.
Following this final stop, the eight men and eight women who qualify for a permanent place on the 2025 World Series have now been confirmed.
In the women’s, joining the top three along with Chukanivska are American Kaylea Arnett, Ginni Van Katwijk of the Netherlands and Italy’s Elisa Cosetti, all of whom are also first-timers on the permanent roster, while Meili Carpenter of the USA completes the list. Xantheia Pennisi, Maria Paula Quintero and Ellie Smart all drop down to wildcard status.
On the men’s side, in addition to the top four there will be two new names on full-time duty – Italy’s Andrea Barnaba and Yolotl Martinez of Mexico – while another Mexican, Sergio Guzman, makes a return to the permanent lineup along with Sydney winner Prygorov. Nikita Fedotov, Jonathan Paredes and Catalin Preda will join the list of wildcards in 2025.
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2024, Stop 8: Sydney
Men’s result
1. Oleksiy Prygorov UKR – 405.80 points
2. Carlos Gimeno ESP – 397.40
3. Constantin Popovici ROU – 366.10
Women’s result
1. Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 359.70 points
2. Simone Leathead CAN – 325.25
3. Nelli Chukanivska (W) UKR – 306.90
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2024: Final standings
Men
1. Aidan Heslop GBR – 121 points
2. James Lichtenstein USA – 107
3. Constantin Popovici ROU – 101
Women
1. Rhiannan Iffland AUS – 157 points
2. Molly Carlson CAN – 112
3. Simone Leathead CAN – 68
Sergio Guzman of Mexico dives from the 27.5 metre platform during the last competition day of the eighth and final stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Sydney, Australia on November 10, 2024. // Romina Amato / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202411100281 // Usage for editorial use only //
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