LAGO RANCO CHI
MOSTAR BIH 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 surrounded by a fanatical crowd of spectators during 2017’s penultimate stop. This is the one stop where the locals know all the athletes by their names and where both the traditional diving from the country’s most recognizable landmark in a sort of maturity test for young men, and the fine art of cliff diving are equally respected. Built in the 16th century, the iconic single span stone bridge gracefully arches over the emerald water of Neretva River, connecting two parts of the old town in Mostar. On both sides surrounded by fortified towers, it fits seamlessly into the landscape, creating an impressive sight, where the tradition of competitive diving is almost 450 years old. The bridge is, together with the surrounding part of the Old City of Mostar, on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, and is often cited as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.
Previous Winners 2016 – Michal Navratil, CZE | Lysanne Richard, CAN 2015 – Jonathan Paredes, MEX
STOP 5 SEPTEMBER 16
Location Old bridge in Mostar Coordinates 43°20’13”N, 17°48’54”E Platform/Rock heights 27m | 21m Water depth 5m to 5.5m Water temperature in September 13°C Air temperature in September 27°C Water Neretva river, freshwater
STOP 6 OCTOBER 21
Location Waterfall in the midst of a pine and eucalyptus forest Coordinates 40°14’00’’S 72°13’30’’E Platform/Rock heights 27m | 21m Water depth 5m to 5.5m Water temperature in October 13°C Air temperature in October 18°C Water Pichi river, freshwater
RISE LIKE A PHOENIX Saltos de Riñinahue Marching towards an exciting climax, the 2017 World Series touches completely new grounds in the south of Chile in October. The region of Lago Ranco not only stands out for its scenic pines and eucalyptus forests, but is also home to the ‘Saltos de Riñinahue’, the Riñinahue waterfall, which will provide the perfect backdrop for the season’s final dives. The King Kahekili Trophy will be awarded to the 2017 champions in the men’s as well as in the women’s division in a red-hot season showdown surrounded by snow capped volcanoes. Who will become the successors of 6-time champion Gary Hunt and rookie-champion Rhiannan Iffland, the title defenders? With 18 lakes and 5 volcanoes, the national park area is one of the most representative of the country; its capital, the city of Valdivia, is located 100 km from the diving venue. This region was hit by the world’s most powerful earthquake ever registered in 1960, known as the “Great Chilean Earthquake”, Valdivia being the most affected city. Assigned a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale, it destroyed almost everything, leaving a particular geography behind, filled with beautiful rivers and lakes.
THE BASIN AND GROTTO FORMED BY THE RIÑINAHUE AND A NEIGHBOURING WATERFALL MAKE FOR A NATURAL VIEWPOINT AND A FLORA AND FAUNA PARADISE.
64
DESTROYED DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA, THE BRIDGE WAS REBUILT USING THE ORIGINAL STONE BLOCKS AND REOPENED IN 2004.
HISTORIC CLIFF DIVING Stari Most
65