FEATURE

Steven LoBue Reigns in Spain Finale

By quattro media

While England’s Gary Hunt is crowned Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Champion for the 5th time, the American wins for the first time in 2015. The 30-year-old surged to victory in Bilbao, in one of the tightest World Series finals yet. With champion Gary Hunt failing to make the podium, it was Florida-based LoBue who snatched the chance with some sensational diving from 27.5m. Joining him on the podium in front of 60,000 enthusiastic spectators were Colombia’s Orlando Duque in 2nd place, and Blake Aldridge from England in 3rd.

The iconic Guggenheim Museum served as the fitting backdrop for the 50th stop of what has become the sport’s most prestigious series of competitions since its introduction in 2009. A ground-breaking season which has broken point records more than once and seen the highest diving complexity in seven years was topped with the coronation of England’s Gary Hunt as 5-time World Series champion.


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In Saturday’s 2015 showdown, Steven LoBue thrilled Bilbao and took his first season victory after a difficult year in which he hit the platform during the 2nd stop and a 6th place as the best result until today. With only 10.80pts. between the leader and 7th position after the first three dives, the fourth and final round stirred up the ranking and washed Orlando Duque onto the podium for the 6th time this year and made for a top result for former Olympian Blake Aldridge.


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Looking at the overall results, Gary Hunt (1320pts.) was awarded with the overall winner’s trophy for the 5th time in seven years, with six victories in eight competitions in 2015 and 25 wins in 50 stops. Completing the 2015 World Series podium were cliff diving legend Orlando Duque (970pts.) and the World Series youngster Jonathan Paredes from Mexico (849pts.). The 6 automatic qualification places behind the 5-time champion were completed by fellow Englishman Blake Aldridge and the American duo David Colturi and Andy Jones.


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After eight demanding competitions between April and September, in which this pure extreme sport touched waters in natural and urban surroundings as well as remote and iconic venues across South America, the US and Europe, the World Series will be back in style in 2016.


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QUOTES FROM THE WINNERS

Gary Hunt (UK)
It’s an amazing feeling to be champion. Today was a strange one, I was disappointed half way through the final with my running take-off dive. I just jumped too far away from the platform and couldn’t control the end. I can’t be disappointed though, because this has been the best year of my career and my life. I’m very happy and now I’m just looking forward to next year.


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Steven LoBue (USA)
I came into this season injured and it’s just been a really rough year. I’ve kind of racked more injuries through the year, then hit my face on the platform which was a small setback. But I was mentally strong enough to get over that incident and I’m just so, so happy that I was able to put those dives together today. I’m just lost for words really. As for next season, I didn’t finish in the top 6, so we’ll see what happens. If there’s a competition I’ll fight for my spot, or if I get selected then awesome.