BOSTON, Aug. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series leaped into the Boston Harbor for the sixth stop of its global tour. The Institute of Contemporary Art building on Fan Pier served as the platform for the 14 professional divers who soared more than 90 feet above the water's edge. Twenty-three thousand spectators lined the waterfront around the architecturally-unique modern art museum to get a glimpse of the twists, turns and somersaults into the brackish water below.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110820/LA55299 )
Great Britain's Gary Hunt took home first place, which sealed his fate as Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2011 Champion. The 27-year-old pro showed his strength with perfectly executed dives including front four somersaults with 1 1/2 twists pike. He will take home $20,000 in prize money after the last stop of the series in Yalta, Ukraine on September 4th plus $6,150 for today's win.
"Yesterday I got off to a bit of a shaky start but today I just got better and better. It's four wins in a row so I really feel on top of my game," said the Brit, who was also the series' 2010 World Champion. "It's been my aim to go back to the 2 1/2 twisting quad this season. I'm not happy to just let that dive be, so I'm going to work and hopefully I'll be able to do it in Yalta."
Russian Artem Silchenko and USA contender Kent de Mond took second and third place respectively. De Mond, hailing from Maryland, upped his game to cheers from his home country. His final dive helped move him up two rankings from nine to seven.
"I had my mind set on Boston as the one I really wanted to do well in. I think all the divers want to do well in their home country," said de Mond. "I always dive so much better when I've got a crowd supporting me."
The Boston leg of the tour was the Series' first-ever east coast stop in the United States, and for the first time in the competition's three year history, four-time Olympic Gold medalist Greg Louganis offered his expertise as one of five judges on the tour.
"It's been great to be a part of this. You know, it's not actually that different to Olympic diving," said Louganis. "Last week I was at the US Diving Nationals and now I'm at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, so I'm loving it."
The weather held out for Bostonians looking for a high flying spectacle. Fans came out in droves to witness the physically and mentally gifted push their limits. It looks like Boston has a new favorite sport.
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