Kazan is definitively an inspiring location for Rachelle Simpson! After winning the first edition of the FINA High Diving World Cup, last year also in the beginning of August, the 27-year-old North American promised to also shine at the 16th FINA World Championships in the capital of Tatarstan.
The promise was kept and after the three rounds of dives in the final, Simpson got the gold in 258.70, getting the first world title of her career. The silver went to the first champion ever, two years ago, in Barcelona, her teammate Cesilie Carlton. The bronze went to a newcomer at this level, Yana Nestsiarava from Belarus.
The youngest competitor of the field (nine divers participated in this final) has been fourth last year in the same Kazanka venue, but had already upgraded to third in the 2015 World Cup in Cozumel (MEX).
After a not so successful first dive (5161B), Simpson appeared more inspired in her second attempt (5262B) and climbed from the sixth to the first position.
Thanks to a very solid final round, where she presented one of the most difficult combinations (5163B, forward 3 somersaults 11/2 twists pike, worth DD 4.0), the US star had no problems in securing the gold. Carlton, with a 3.9 attempt (back 3 somersaults tuck), was also consistent and assured the silver in 237.35, more than four points ahead of the Belarus champion (233.10).
The US athlete, who caused sensation in 2013 by saying after her victory that she was afraid of heights, was third in Kazan in 2014, but was out of the podium at the 2015 rendezvous in Cozumel.
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