Porto Flavia is preparing to host the High Diving World Cup this weekend. Expected to compete are extreme diving legends like Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Iffland, as well as rising stars like Molly Carlson and the very young Maya Kelly, and international talents, from Gini Van Katwijk to Maria Paula Quintero. The World Cup, making its debut in Italy, has chosen Sardinia as its destination: the event will take place on Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st, at the Iglesiente facility built during the Masua mining area's active history . Thirty-three athletes from seventeen countries will gather here for an extraordinary diving competition: from 27 meters for the men and from 20 meters for the women.
The jump is the same for everyone: three seconds of flight, over 85 km/h, and the embrace of the Sardinian sea in front of one of the island's iconic industrial archaeology monuments. From the charisma of champion Rhiannan Iffland, undefeated since 2016, to the energy of young Canadian Molly Carlson. From the solidity of legends like Gary Hunt, who at 41 years old and with nine world titles is the most experienced in the competition, to the explosive talent of Constantin Popovici, a former Romanian Olympian now one of the most feared players on the circuit. Among the names sparking the public's imagination are also German veterans Iris Schmidbauer and Maike Halbisch, promising Dutchman Gini Van Katwijk, and Colombian Maria Paula Quintero, a rising star in South America.
And while the international spotlight will be on the great champions, attention will also be on the youngest of the group: Maya Kelly (USA), just 18 years old and already a bronze medalist at the 2025 World Championships, the youngest diver ever to reach the High Diving podium. The first round will be held on Saturday the 30th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a repeat on Sunday the 31st at the same time, with the awards ceremony from 1:45 pm to 2:00 pm.
(Unioneonline)
