Gary Hunt, Artem Silchenko and Michal Navratil Romina Amato/Red Bull Cliff Diving

Champion Gary Hunt won his first Red Bull Cliff Diving competition of 2011 to move to the head of the World Series following a thrilling third stop at Lake Vouliagmeni in Athens.

Russian Artem Silchenko was runner-up to the Englishman, while Czech Michal Navratil claimed his first podium finish since 2009.

An afternoon of high emotion and extended drama saw 9,000 spectators fixated as the leadership of a keenly-fought competition changed hands in rapid succession.

Alain Kohl had led after the first round on Saturday, while Kent De Mond was leading after the second on Sunday before the American was forced to retire hurt in the third.

Injuries to previous Series leader Orlando Duque and Hassan Mouti saw both ruled out, although the pair watched the action unfold from the side of the lake; Mouti, injured in training on Saturday, returning from the hospital only half an hour before the competition.

Hunt put aside a disappointing first, relatively easy, dive to excel in the three subsequent rounds on Sunday.

The Englishman, who doesn't specialise in the simple, had a combination of somersaults and twists that gave him the edge ahead of Navratil and Silchenko, who preceded the Brit on the 26.8-metre-high platform in the final round.

"I didn't perform well in the competition yesterday. Today there was a great atmosphere and straight from the off I felt good and was diving well," said Hunt, who top scored with his Triple Quad.

Next stop is La Rochelle, France, on June 18, with Hunt and the Red Bull cliff divers, including the recovering Mouti, set to step it up for the midway point of what is shaping up to be a very intriguing World Series.

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