While there was agony for Eber Pava, there was ecstasy for Steven Lobue, as qualification for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2011 in Australia witnessed contrasting emotions.
Colombian Pava finished the 2010 World Series joint seventh but missed out on a place in this year’s tournament by the slimmest of margins.
13 divers were competing for just seven places as they performed two required dives with a low degree of difficulty and two optional dives with a higher degree of difficulty.
After four rounds of diving, a mere 0.15 points separated Lobue, in seventh, and Pava, in eighth. But, while the American will have his shot at World Series glory in 2011, Pava was left to reflect on what might have been.
He said: “I didn’t make it, but at the same time I am happy to have had the chance to participate in this great World Series for the last two years. Next time I will make sure that I am better prepared and I will be in again!"
25-year-old Lobue booked his place alongside fellow newcomer, the fifth-placed Ukrainian, Oleksandr Kutsenko.
“I’m humbled by this entire experience and super happy with the way things turned out," said Lobue. "The whole experience has been amazing."
Tipped as a star in the making, Mexican Jorge Ferzuli was close to a World Series ticket, only to have it snatched away. Ferzuli was sitting in sixth place, with only one round remaining, but a disappointing final dive saw him miss out.
“I have mixed feelings because I was sure I had it in my hands," said Ferzuli. "I’ve learnt a lot and I know I need more experience. Next time, I will not make the same mistake. Just to be here has been incredbile."
Among the judges scoring the athletes were Australian Olympic Gold Medallist Matthew Mitcham and Australian Olympians Vyninka Arlow and Ken Grove.
They awarded first place to Michal Navratil whose 'four-midable' arsenal included a new dive created especially for the contest – a back armstand with two and a half somersaults and two and a half twists.
Navratil topped the competition from first to last and it augurs wells as he bids to improve on last year's ninth-placed finish.
The Czech said: “It was my dream to get into the World Series again so I changed my dives specially to try and impress the judges – it could have been a bit of a risk but thankfully it paid off! I’m really pleased I’ve got the chance to improve on my performance last year and hopefully I can impress the judges again on the World Series stage.”
Agony and Ecstasy