James Lichtenstein of the USA rubber-stamped his status as a genuine Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series title contender with a stunning first victory in Oslo on Saturday afternoon. In the women’s competition, Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland stretched her lead and moved one step closer to an eighth King Kahekili trophy following another comfortable win in the Norwegian capital.
Lichtenstein, whose unerring consistency so far this season had already seen him step onto the podium at every stop and claim a surprise lead in the fight for the title, finally landed his first victory from the 27m platform ahead of rivals Aidan Heslop (GBR) and Constantin Popovici (ROU), who finished in second and third place respectively from the Oslo Opera House.
“It’s incredible. I’ve been dreaming about this ever since I found out about Red Bull Cliff Diving eleven years ago. To make my dream become reality is… I can’t put it into words. I’m thrilled,” said 29-year-old Lichtenstein, who knew a victory from the record 30-metre-long platform atop the Oslo Opera House was imperative if he were to maintain his position at the top of the standings.
With reigning champion Popovici faltering in round three, it came down to a straight shoot-out between the American and Heslop in the final round. Stepping up to dive second to last, Lichtenstein delivered another of his now trademark solid executions, ripping his Arm Back 4½ Somersaults Tuck into the Oslofjord. Heslop, needing scores of seven from the judges to edge victory, kicked up some splash with his Forward 4½ Somersaults 3½ Twist Pike and finished 6.60 points adrift in second.
This result nudges the Chicago native – who becomes the 18th men’s competition winner – six points ahead of the Brit in the overall standings, with Popovici two points further back in third.
Mexico’s Jonathan Paredes, who narrowly missed out on his second podium of the season by just 0.15 points, can console himself with a bonus championship point after laying down the best dive of the competition – an exquisite Back 3 Somersaults 3 Twists Pike in the third round.
Iffland, meanwhile, cruised to victory in the women’s once more amid blustery conditions to extend her lead over Canada’s Molly Carlson – who was runner-up yet again – to 24 points, putting her within touching distance of an eighth title in as many seasons.
“I really wanted to get a good result here to really set myself up for the last three stops. Th
