May 15, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Kristian Ipsen was one of four divers to punch their ticket to Barcelona for the 2013 FINA World Championships, as spots on the 1-meter were up for grabs Wednesday on day one of the World Championships Trials.
Ipsen, the reigning NCAA Diver of the Year, earned one of two men's spots for Team USA and will make his third World Championships appearance but will be competing in the 1-meter for the first time.
Ipsen put together a two-list score of 835.60 to qualify for meet.
"I've always wanted to do 1-meter at a world meet but I'm usually doing 3-meter and 3-meter synchro, and three events is a little tiring," Ipsen said. "Since I'm not diving synchro with anyone this year, I thought I might as well do 1-meter. It's fun."
After scoring 390.25 in the prelims, he scored 445.35 points in the finals, starting off his list with a pair of nines for 76.50 points on a reverse 1.5 with 2.5 twists. Ipsen closed his day with 87.50 points on a reverse 1.5 with 3.5 twists - the most difficult dive attempted by any diver in the contest.
"I felt just a little bit off in prelims," Ipsen said. "I don't know what it was, but sometimes that happens during prelims. My first dive in the finals felt good and I was ready to go after that. I felt confident."
The World Championships Trials continue through May 20. All four divers who earned the 1-meter spots are vying for spots in at least one other event. Thursday features the men's 3-meter competition.
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