July 2, 2023 – Molly Carslon proved once again that she belongs among the world’s elite this weekend in Poligano A Mare, Italy. After the first two rounds, she was sixth in the third stage of the Red Bull Cliff Diving circuit. She managed to put this difficult day behind her and climb back up to second place thanks to her last two dives on Sunday.
In the end, she finished the weekend on the second step of the podium with a total of 327.70 points. This is the third time in three Red Bull events this season that she has won the second place trophy.
Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland triumphed with a score of 345.85, having won every World Series stop so far this season. Also from Australia, Xantheia Pennisi (308.00) was third.
Aimee Harrison (Boardworks) scored a total of 220.20 points to finish ninth.
The other Canadian in the running, Jessica Macaulay, was unable to take part in the competition due to health problems.
The power of mental preparation
Molly Carlson was sad when she returned to her hotel after Saturday’s competition. She had missed her performances in the first two rounds, basic dives that she normally executes much better.
Despite this, she went into Sunday’s competition with her head held high, knowing that everything was still up for grabs.
“I’m really, really proud of myself today and of the mental work we did with Stéphane to get me on the podium today. I had a really bad day at the office yesterday,” she said.
“It was really difficult to start the competition like that. But I still had to approach day 2 with an open mind. A lot can change with the difficult dives. We definitely proved that today! We showed a lot of confidence in these difficult conditions. There were waves and wind,” she continued.
She owes her spectacular comeback to all the preparatory work she did before the competition with her coach Stéphane Lapointe. She will use this learning process to continue improving.
“I’m so proud of this comeback. We’re really getting stronger mentally every time. It was a really good day,” said the CAMO diver.
Carlson was able to share his joy with Britain’s Aidan Heslop, who trains in Montreal with coach Lapointe’s group. He also shrugged off a very bad day on Saturday to climb to the top of the podium on Sunday.
With a score of 448.60, he secured his first victory of the season.
“It was a difficult day for everyone yesterday. The fact that they managed to bounce back so well today is a sign that the preparation is working. I couldn’t be prouder of them,” commented Stéphane Lapointe.
The high divers will now head to Japan for the World Championships.
About Diving Plongeon Canada
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world. For information, visit www.diving.ca.
Information:
Alexandra Piché
Communication manager
(514) 625-5513
alexandra@diving.ca