Laugher is the first to hit the pool

The UK’s Jack Laugher had the honour this morning of being the first diver to ever hit the pool in a diving competition in Dubai. Laugher, competing in the men’s 3m Springboard semi final in the FINA/Midea Diving World Series, scored a solid 72 for his first dive, kicking off what promises to be a weekend of breath-taking action at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex. undefinedThe world’s best divers from 11 countries, including China’s eight current World Champions are competing in Dubai and the first semi finals session this morning gave the crowd a taste of the action on offer in a sporting spectacular unlike any witnessed here before. FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu is on hand to experience the first diving competition in Dubai and is full of praise for the venue and for the vision of the organizers. “I want to thank the UAE Swimming Federation and the Dubai Sports Council for staging this competition, this is an amazing venue and I believe it sets a great example to all other countries of what can be done” he said. “This pool in one of a kind with the fully equipped warm up and competition facilities for diving and I know the divers are enjoying being here” he added. “It is a real pleasure for me to be in Dubai for the third FINA event at this venue, and I am sure it will be another great success”. The first diver in the water, 17-year-old Laugher, is new to the senior ranks and with the exception of one dive posted consistent scores in the 70s. Unfortunately that was not quite enough to secure a place in the final against world ranked opposition, and China’s Qin Kai took out the semi-final ahead of Russia’s Illya Zakharov. Qin posted the best dive of the morning and showed the crowd a glimpse of what is in store for them this evening with a 96.90 score for his forward 4.5 somersault tuck. The remaining qualifier for this evening’s final from semi-final A was Mexico’s Yahel Castillo. “We are very excited about welcoming the competitors and teams to this first ever diving event in Dubai at the wonderful Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex” said Ahmed al Falasi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation.  “The standard of diving is world class, and as we have seen today, the crowd will be treated to some amazing displays of talent and skill” he added. Saturday’s semi- finals will run from 10am-12noon, with finals from 5- 10pm. Tickets for the two days are Dh40, or Dh80 for VIP, and are available at the door at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex.