Last year’s stop in Sisikon was the closest competition to date in the World Series and Orlando Duque is expecting it to be just as tight when the 12 cliff divers take centre stage again on the 26m platform.
Less than two points separated Artem Silchenko, Gary Hunt and Orlando Duque in Switzerland, with those three athletes fighting it out again for the 2010 title.
With the expected deluge of rain arriving earlier rather than later, the second day of training on Friday went ahead as scheduled in Sisikon.
Most of the divers had already planned without a second session, with the likes of Gary Hunt and Kent De Mond staying off the platform.
For those who did take to the board, like 2009 Series champion Duque, it was an opportunity to fine tune their preparations.
“I came in third here last year but it was a really close competition. I think it was less than two points between the top three and I think this time it will be the same,” said Duque, who is hoping to go one better than in the last competition in Polignano a Mare when he finished second.
Michal Navratil proved that it’s not just the race for the top spot that is proving a competitive and close-fought contest. The Czech athlete, who was on the platform four times on Friday, is enjoying a running battle with Luxembourg’s Alain Kohl.
It’s a battle Kohl, who was fourth in Norway and sixth in Italy, continues to win but Navratil is not giving up hope.
“Last year I was sixth here and I want to be in the top six again. I haven’t done that this year yet," he said.
"Me and Alain are always talking in every competition and I think it’s a big challenge for me to beat Alain and I think it’s the same for him with me. He’s my rival.”
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