Inis Mór island in Galway Bay provided a perfect setting for the first stage of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.
Contestants from all over the world headed to Ireland and didn’t disappoint with their daring jumps.
Likewise, the rocky island of Inis Mór was an incredible backdrop. As the divers took their place at the ‘Serpent’s Lair’ the cold temperatures, dark clouds and high winds added to the drama.
They jumped into the Poll na bPeist, which is a naturally occurring limestone pool, from a 27-meter-high platform.
Two of the big winners of the Irish heat of the series were the UK’s Gary Hunt and Rhiannan Iffland of Australia. Both contestants came from behind to earn big wins.
Hunt said: “When you’re up there in these conditions, your training kind of goes out of the window.
“But with years and years of experience, you remember to block things out and you just think about the actions you have to go through to perform your dives and not be distracted.”
As well as Inis Mór the divers will also compete in Portugal, Italy, the USA, and Bosnia-Herzegovina before the final, which will take place in Chile in October.
Take a look at some of the action below.
Written by Michael Kehoe @michaelcalling
