EL NIDO – The scorching heat could do little to affect Romania’s Constantin Popovici and USA’s Kaylea Arnett as both veterans remained cool and collected to grab early leads on the opening day of the 2025 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series here on the scenic Lagen Island in Palawan Friday, April 11.

As reigning titlist British Aidan Heslop withdrew in the first stop due to an injury, last year’s runner-up Popovici took charge and performed a Forward 3 Somersault ½ Twist in Pike to earn him the nod of the judges.

The Romanian diver accumulated 94.50 points to move ahead of American James Lichtenstein (89.25) and Spain’s Carlos Gimeno (84) who completed the Top Three of the first round.

Ten-time champion Gary Hunt of France trailed behind with 67.20 points – tied with Oleksiy Prygorov – at sixth spot of the 12-man field.

Popovici, the 2023 edition conqueror, has two rounds left to defend his position in the Philippine leg of the annual diving meet that hopes to inspire Filipino youngsters to learn and thrive in the sport.

Meanwhile, nine-peat seeking Australian Rhiannan Iffland stumbled in her El Nido return after finishing with only 88.40 points to settle at second off her Forward 3 Somersault ½ Twist effort.

Though performing the same routine, Arnett delivered it in a much smoother way that the panel agreed to give her a  combined 90.1 score and the No. 1 ranking.

Ukraine’s Nelli Chuvaniska (79.05), Netherlands’ Ginni Van Katwijk (63.5), and Canada’s Molly Carlson (62.9) completed the Top Five in the distaff side.

Filipino-Australian Xantheia Pennisi, who is one of the four wildcards, was behind as she tallied 55.90 points off a Reverse 1 Somersault to go at eighth place.

Pennisi, however, brought noise in the remote venue as Filipino fans cheered their hearts out just to support the Tarlac native.

Pennisi and the other competitors will have their chances to bounce back as the competition unfurls its next two rounds on Small and Big Lagoons of Miniloc Island over the weekend.