Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland has officially become the greatest cliff diver of all time after winning the penultimate event of the season in Mostar.
The 34-year-old from Newcastle arrived at the historic bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina knowing that victory on Saturday (Sunday AEST) from the 21m platform would seal her tenth World Series title in a row and 48th victory of her career.
An estimated 23,000 fans turned out across three days of competition to see Iffland tally 363.20 points, finishing ahead of Canada’s Molly Carlson (361.60) and Xantheia Pennisi (345.80) to again lift the King Kahekili Trophy.
Pennisi’s 10th career podium came thanks to a personal best total score, while Stella Forsyth (276.15), the third Aussie participating, came 10th in the 12-woman field.
“I’m super stoked, and I guess it’s time to process and then celebrate,” said Iffland, who entered the final round just 1.6 points ahead of Carlson in sweltering conditions.
“I knew deep down in my heart that it wasn’t going to be an easy one today. I knew Molly wasn’t going to leave without putting up a good fight.”
Iffland’s triumph – her 48th in 59 stops – moved her to 77 points after four of the five stops on tour, an unassailable 27 clear of Carlson, with compatriot Pennisi (35) fifth.
The win – thanks to a stunning inward three somersaults half twist tuck dive into the Neretva River – also moved Iffland ahead of Englishman Gary Hunt on the all-time wins list and it is the third time she’s wrapped up the title with a stop to spare.
“48 out of 50 something starts, it’s nuts,” the five-time high diving world champion added.
“But I guess the recipe really comes down to passion, and drive and hard work. There is no secret recipe to being so consistent. Practice, practice, practice and it paid off for me.”
Romania’s Constantin Popovici won the men’s event with a total score of 414.90, with Brit Aidan Heslop (414.80) second and American James Lichtenstein (411.10) third.
Heslop leads the standings on 68 points, followed by Lichtenstein (57) and Popovici (55).
Divers now have an extended two-month break before the final event of the 2026 calendar takes place in Polignano a Mare, Italy – the home of European cliff diving – from September 27.
