Hello everyone and welcome to updates from the latest stop in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series! We're here on the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, approximately 1,400 kilometres west of mainland Portugal in what feels like the middle of the Atlantic!
Steven LoBue and Artem Silchenko are the first to go from the cliff in their head-to-head. Steven has a lot of catching up to do and after each man's dive the Russian is still way ahead. We'll post updated scores at the end of the round...
The second head-to-head is a battle of the wildcards, Colombia's Miguel Garcia and Mexican Sergio Guzman...
It's two of the favourites up next, Gary Hunt and Jonathan Paredes... Gary's execution of a reverse somersault is much better than his Seeding Round dive yesterday, but Paredes is able to match the Brit with a double somersault and one and a half twist. Both men have received 9s from the judges, and Jonathan is still in the lead...
Diving directly off the cliff is a different kind of challenge for the divers. Cliff diving has evolved into a platform sport, meaning the athletes are less used to feeling the rock under their feet. Some are able to cope with the environment better than others!
Orlando Duque and Blake Aldridge are well placed to advance from their head-to-heads against Andy Jones and David Colturi, respectively. Remember, we'll be posting updated scores at the end of the round.
We're having internet issues, comes with being on an island(!), but stay with us and we'll do our best to keep you updated! The men will be competing next from the 27m platform...
Steven LoBue has pulled out of the competition due to a hip injury sustained previously. It means Artem Silchenko has already advanced to the final.
Gary Hunt has turned the tide in his head-to-head against Jonathan Paredes! The champ, as he always seems to do, nails his triple quad to confirm his place in the final. Paredes is currently the 'lucky loser'... Also through to the final are Mexican wildcard Sergio Guzman and Russian Artem Silchenko... Full scores to follow...
Orlando Duque is out! The Colombian missed his back twister and Andy Jones was able to take advantage, performing the same dive much better to secure his place in the final...
There’s a new look to the final line-up! Two of the favourites, Orlando Duque and David Colturi, are out and three wildcards are through – Mexico's Sergio Guzman, Ukraine's Anatoliy Shabotenko and the USA's Kyle Mitrione.
Next up it's the women... eight fearless ladies will be competing from the 20m platform. Mexico's Adriana Jimenez is in the lead after the two rounds of diving yesterday, and this is the final!
Updated scores after Round 1 (Men)
Artem Silchenko (RUS) – 184.30pts v Steven LoBue (USA) – 134.80pts
Miguel Garcia (COL) –159.80 v Sergio Guzman (MEX) – 159.60
Jonathan Paredes (MEX) – 186.20 v Gary Hunt (UK) – 171.00
Andy Jones (USA) – 167.20 v Orlando Duque (COL) – 172.80
David Colturi (USA) – 155.80 v Blake Aldridge (UK) – 161.50
Michal Navratil (CZE) – 150.10 v Anatoliy Shabotenko (UKR) – 176.70
Jucelino Junior (BRA) – 144.40 v Kyle Mitrione (USA) – 153.90
Rachelle Simpson has won every Women’s World Series event to date – three in 2014, and one so far in 2015 – but she won’t be on top of the podium this time. The American’s missed the most difficult dive in the women’s competition – a triple somersault with one and a half twists…
Cesilie Carlton could claim the win, but it all depends whether Adriana Jimenez can hit her final dive...
Jimenez has not done quite enough, Cesilie Carlton takes the win! It's the American's first in the Women's World Series! Full scores to follow...
Congratulations to Cesilie! We'll be going up an extra seven metres shortly for the final of the men... All eyes will be on the 27m platform...
It's looking like a battle between Gary Hunt (338.40pts) and Artem Silchenko (321.50pts) for the number one position, but let's see...
Andy Jones won't be happy with that dive execution - it's surely ruled him out of a place on the podium... Jonathan Paredes is next up and then it will be Artem Silchenko and the champion, Gary Hunt...
That was brilliant from Paredes! He's performed his final dive for 9s and has guaranteed his place on the podium...
Artem Silchenko could not hit his famed back armstand... It's all on Gary Hunt's final dive...
Updated scores after Round 2 (Men) - the divers in bold have advanced to the final...
Artem Silchenko (RUS) – 321.50pts v Steven LoBue (USA) – 134.80pts
Miguel Garcia (COL) –265.40 v Sergio Guzman (MEX) – 281.10
Jonathan Paredes (MEX) – 313.70 v Gary Hunt (UK) – 338.40
Andy Jones (USA) – 301.60 v Orlando Duque (COL) – 287.70
David Colturi (USA) – 279.90 v Blake Aldridge (UK) – 287.00
Michal Navratil (CZE) – 275.05 v Anatoliy Shabotenko (UKR) – 291.10
Jucelino Junior (BRA) – 271.60 v Kyle Mitrione (USA) – 281.40
Final results (Women)
1. Cesilie Carlton (USA) – 224.30pts
2. Adriana Jimenez (MEX) – 222.80
3. Ginger Huber (USA) – 207.25
4. Anna Bader (GER) – 205.50
5. Rachelle Simpson (USA) – 201.20
6. Yana Nestsiarava (BLR) – 193.20
7. Lysanne Richard (CAN) – 188.70
8. Tara Hyer Tira (USA) – 182.95
The top-three are: 1. Gary Hunt (471.80pts) 2. Jonathan Paredes (450.90pts) 3. Andy Jones (412.90pts).
