Cliff diver Paredes aims to keep heat on Hunt in historic Mostar

Diving off Stari Most, the old bridge, dates back to the 17th century, and once again the world's best cliff divers will show off their skills in front of a huge and enthusiastic crowd. And competition is thrilling as the 2016 World Series marches towards an exciting climax with three different winners in the previous three stops - Britain’s Gary Hunt, Artem Silchenko from Russia and Czech diver Michal Navratil’s maiden win in his 53rd attempt. Although Hunt leads the rankings, Mexico’s Jonathan Paredes, who took his first ever World Series win in this location in 2015 and opened this year’s account with victory, stays in contention for the 2016 title with three stops to go. The women will also be making their debut in Mostar, with Australian wildcard Rhiannan Iffland aiming to continue her amazing  run of form after making it 3 wins out 4 this season in Wales. It’s going to be an exciting day. 
 

Gracefully arching over the emerald water of Neretva River, connecting two parts of the old town in Mostar, the bridge is, together with the surrounding Old City of Mostar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and often cited as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s most recognizable landmark was faithfully reconstructed using the original stone blocks taken out of the river below. The single span stone bridge, in today’s form, was inaugurated with a diving exhibition by local divers as well as Colombia’s Orlando Duque in 2004 and will again be the venue with the longest diving tradition in the World Series this September.