Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National

World cliff-diving champion Rhiannan Iffland jumps from a helicopter to promote Sydney Harbour contest

RHIANNAN Iffland could never have imagined when she learned to dive at Lambton Pool that one day she'd be taking the plunge out of a helicopter into Sydney Harbour.

But that was all in a day's work for the six-time world champion on Wednesday as she promoted the Red Bull cliff-diving world series finale, to be held adjacent to Mrs Macquarie's Chair, in the Royal Botanical Gardens, on Saturday week.

The 31-year-old from Nord's Wharf, who spent her formative years training under the guidance of Hunter United Diving Academy coach Eric Brooker, secured her sixth consecutive Red Bull world title with a spectacular triumph in Italy last month.

World champion Rhiannan Iffland takes the plunge out of a helicopter into Sydney Harbour on Wednesday. Pictures Red Bull Content Pool

It was her 29th victory from 36 events. Now, for the first time, she gets to showcase her skills in her own country.

"I'm super excited to stand up there in front of a home crowd," she said. "Knowing that I've already taken the world title, as well, the pressure's off a little bit.

"I just can't wait to enjoy this moment.

"The World Series final is in my own backyard, and it's going to be incredible."

Iffland described Wednesday's relatively straightforward single-somersault pike as "one of the most magical dives" of her career.

"It's been a dive I've wanted to achieve for these past six years or so, to dive out of a helicopter into Sydney Harbour, and now it's done, and I'm absolutely buzzing," she said.

She explained that jumping out of a helicopter, as opposed to launching herself from a 20-metre platform, added a whole new degree of difficulty.

Rhiannan Iffland prepares to take the drop.

"The mental preparation is the key and that's the focus," she said. "To dive out of a helicopter, it's always a completely different story to diving off a platform.

"The wind on the water makes it hard to tell, hard to gauge how high you are.

"And especially lining up for the entry, you can't exactly see. You've got the wind in your face, you've got all the different variables.

"I was most certainly nervous, there's no doubt about that. That never changes. But that just adds to it."

.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.