BOSTON — Rhiannan Iffland stood on a platform nearly seven stories above Boston Harbor, with thousands of cheering fans below, and leaped into the water with the city’s skyline fading behind her.
Part of the world’s elite cliff diving competition, Iffland, from Australia, experienced fierce competition as she jumped from the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.
“I know the pressure’s coming — and the young girls are diving super well,” said Iffland after winning the women’s section.
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series made its 100th stop in Boston, where athletes dove from up to 90 feet into the chilly harbor. British diver Aidan Heslop won the men’s competition and acknowledged the tough competition ahead.
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Boston is the only U.S. stop this year, with the series ending in Sydney, Australia, in November.
Cliff diving attracts dedicated athletes who train hard to execute perfect leaps, somersaults, twists, and entries, especially when jumping from an art museum into potentially cold water.
Practice and early competition rounds took place on Friday, with Saturday’s competitive round judged on form and technique. A total of two dozen divers competed.
This marked the third consecutive year of the event in Boston, drawing 45,000 spectators for the weekend.
The art museum described the event as visually stunning for the public and an opportunity for athletes to earn crucial championship points based on their final positions.
