Hunt and Iffland Start Pink Bull Cliff Diving Season with Victories within the Philippines

Titleholders kick off the brand new season with spectacular shows in El Nido.

France’s Gary Hunt returned to the highest of the rostrum for the primary time in three years, and Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland made an ideal begin in her bid to win a ninth straight King Kahekili Trophy because the 2025 Pink Bull Cliff Diving World Sequence kicked off within the spectacular setting of El Nido, Philippines.

2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series El Nido — 2025 Pink Bull Cliff Diving World Sequence El Nido *Picture Credit score: Dean Treml /* *Pink Bull Content material Pool*

Right here is all it’s worthwhile to know:

The brand new season transported the game again to its purest kind, that includes three days of competitors on the cliffs surrounding the picturesque Blue Lagoon. Rivals showcased their most daring dives from man-made platforms, highlighting the sweetness and thrill of the occasion.

Within the males’s competitors, 10-time champion Hunt, who returned as a wildcard after vacating his everlasting spot on the tour to pursue his Olympic dream, clinched victory with a powerful Again 3 Somersaults 4 Twists Free within the remaining spherical.

Andrea Barnaba of Italy dives from 27.5 metres off the cliff at Lagen Island during the first competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 11, 2025. // Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool — Andrea Barnaba of Italy dives from 27.5 metres off the cliff at Lagen Island in the course of the first competitors day of the primary cease of the Pink Bull Cliff Diving World Sequence in El Nido, Philippines on April 11, 2025. // Dean Treml / Pink Bull Content material Pool

Nelli Chukanivska of the Ukraine dives from 20 metres off the pinnacle in the Small Lagoon during the second competition day of the first stop of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in El Nido, Philippines on April 12, 2025. // Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool — Nelli Chukanivska of the Ukraine dives from 20 metres off the top within the Small Lagoon in the course of the second competitors day of the primary cease of the Pink Bull Cliff Diving World Sequence in El Nido, Philippines on April 12, 2025. // Dean Treml / Pink Bull Content material Pool

Hunt, 40, expressed his pleasure, saying, “I really feel nice! I can’t wait to inform my spouse. We’ve been touring for the previous six months, and I’ve solely had about eight or 9 periods within the pool because the Olympics. My efficiency was vital; if I didn’t do nicely right here, it could have meant the tip of the season. Now, they’ll have to ask me again.”

Mexico’s Jonathan Paredes achieved his finest outcome since 2019 with a shock second-place end, joined by Romanian Constantin Popovici in third. This marked the primary time in historical past that two wildcards secured a 1-2 end, whereas the mixed ages of the highest three created the ‘oldest’ podium ever. In distinction, Iffand dominated the ladies’s 21m platform competitors, claiming her forty second victory in 52 begins.

Photo Credit: Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool — *Picture Credit score: Dean Treml /* *Pink Bull Content material Pool*

Iffand, 33, expressed, “I’m extremely completely happy and relieved. I entered with doubts about my talents, however I succeeded. This stunning but difficult location reveals that these with expertise could have a bonus.”

The reigning champion stood atop the rostrum alongside two rising skills, each competing as everlasting athletes for the primary time after their upgrades final season. American Kaylea Arnett, who briefly led the standings after spherical one, secured second place with 4 podium finishes in six begins, edging out 18-year-old Ukrainian Nelli Chukanivska, who completed third, mirroring final 12 months’s finale efficiency.

Popovici and Iffand not solely earned factors for his or her remaining positions but additionally secured bonus championship factors for his or her distinctive dives. Popovici executed a Ahead 2 Somersaults ½ Twist Pike in spherical two, whereas Iffand clinched victory with an Inward 3 Somersaults ½ Twist Tuck.

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2025 in El Nido Palawan — Pink Bull Cliff Diving World Sequence 2025 in El Nido Palawan *Picture Credit score: Dean Treml /* *Pink Bull Content material Pool*

After three intense days, the cliff diving elite will take a quick break earlier than returning to Polignano a Mare, the house of European cliff diving, for the second cease of the season on the finish of June in Italy.