Springboard, Women

The three favorites were the last two World Champions – Christa Köhler (GDR-1973) and Irina Kalinina (URS-1975), and the 1975 Pan American Champion, Jennifer Chandler of the USA. But the event was not close. Chandler led the qualifying and then took the lead in the final round on the second dive, and increased it on almost every dive to win the gold medal easily. Köhler was steady throughout to win silver. The bronze medal went to American Cynthia Potter-McIngvale, who was fourth behind East German Heidi Ramlow going into the final dive, but nailed her inward 2½ to move into third place. Kalinina was never a factor, barely qualifying in eighth place, and placing seventh in the final. She placed ahead of only Barbara Nejman (USA), who hit the board on her fifth dive, and dropped well back.