Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series coming to Mayo

MAYO is set to host a leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2021 on September 12.

The Irish stop will be held at Downpatrick Head in north Mayo, home to towering cliffs and staggering views of the Atlantic Ocean, as the world’s elite cliff divers visit for the fifth Irish touchdown of the event.

After three stops at Inis Mór, and a 2019 showing in Dún Laoghaire Harbour in front of 150,000 spectators, the world series heads to the west again where the Atlantic waters will once again test these talented athletes to their limits.

A location steeped in Irish folklore and ancient history, the world’s top cliff divers will be written into modern history as the first to leap, twist and somersault from breathtaking heights of up to 27m and at speeds in excess of 85km/h, with no protection but for their concentration, skill and physical control, before meeting the wild Atlantic below.

Since 2009 the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has provided a platform for aesthetic freefalls and dives of ever-growing complexity, spotlighting the sport’s finest athletes as well as the most promising breakthrough talents.

The 2021 calendar will feature six stops from June to October, kicking off in France.

This year, all eyes will be on reigning champions Gary Hunt (UK) and Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) as they battle against their relative fields of 12 male and 12 female athletes for the coveted King Kahekili Trophy in the 12th edition of the series.

Further details on spectator attendance, live broadcast and participating divers will be announced at a later date.

2021 Provisional Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Calendar:

12th June: La Rochelle, France

14th August: Oslo, Norway

28th August: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

12th September: Mayo, Ireland