New spectacle at the Old Bridge: Hunt and Paredes favorites to win

MOSTAR, (Patria) - Red Bull Cliff Diving in Mostar always brings exciting competition, attractive dives, and great fun for spectators. The competition at the Old Bridge on September 8 could be decisive in the fight for titles, and regardless of the extremely uncertain standings - several favorites are emerging.

Given that Mostar is the penultimate stop of the season, and the fight for titles in both categories - men and women - is extremely close, this competition has great results significance.

However, it is worth considering a few interesting facts: no one has ever won twice at the Old Bridge, and those who have won in Mostar have not managed to win the championship title in that year.

To these statistical 'obstacles', we should add the concrete ones: the icy Neretva River water, strong river currents, and the fact that the empty space under the bridge arch makes orientation difficult for divers in flight.

Although previous competitions in Mostar have been full of surprises and unexpected outcomes, someone always has to bear the epithet of favorite, no matter how ungrateful that may be.

The heating up Hunt, the brilliant LoBue, or the defending champion Paredes?

Six-time champion and record holder for the number of wins, Englishman Gary Hunt, went through a major crisis in the first part of the season, caused by a mental block that prevented him from performing twisting dives. Because of this, he was limited to simpler dives that bring fewer points, which affected his rankings. However, the Briton has made a grand return with two consecutive victories in Switzerland and Denmark, and has moved up to second place in the overall standings.

Steven LoBue has been brilliant this season and is currently leading the championship. The American has finally put all the pieces together, combining demanding dives with excellent execution, and has achieved two consecutive victories in Portugal and Spain. His chances of lifting the champion's trophy for the first time are very high, and a victory at the Old Bridge would almost secure him the title.

The current champion, Mexican Jonathan Paredes, has faltered a few times this year, but as the season progresses, his form is improving and he is achieving better results. The Old Bridge, as the location of his first career victory, would be perfect for him to achieve his first triumph this season and move closer to defending his title. The winner of the first competition in Mostar in 2015 is currently third in the standings.

Legendary Colombian Orlando Duque has struggled with injuries quite a bit this year, and has missed some competitions. His desire is to finish the season in the top ten and qualify for the 2019 season, after which he intends to retire from active competition. One can hope that the great friend of Mostar and absolute favorite of the local audience will be fully prepared next weekend and achieve a good result.

Never more uncertain women's championship

In the women's championship, the situation is even more uncertain. All three top-ranked divers have one win each and are separated by only 50 points: Rhiannan Iffland has 470, Adriana Jimenez has 450, and Lysanne Richard has 420 points.

The current champion Iffland has a special motive to prove herself in Mostar, where she suffered an injury during training last year and missed the competition. The Australian would put herself in a good position to win her third consecutive title with her first triumph at the Old Bridge.

Mexican Jimenez, third-placed last season, has not yet climbed to the winner's podium in Mostar. With a potential victory, she would take the leading position and come one step closer to achieving the greatest success of her career - the championship title.

Lysanne Richard, winner of the first women's competition in Mostar in 2016, missed last season due to injury, but has returned in great style this year. The Canadian is in excellent form, and there is no doubt that she will give her all to - as the icing on the cake - end her comeback season with a title.

As last year, the organizers, in cooperation with the Railways of FBiH, have arranged a special talgo train ride from Sarajevo to Mostar and back, on Saturday, September 8. The special train from Sarajevo departs at 08:55, and returns from Mostar at 17:40.