Heading into the final competition of the year, the back-to-back world champion trailed Adriana Jimenez by 20 points on the rankings after the Mexican’s victory in Mostar, Bosnia, a fortnight earlier.

Iffland, who had won 11 of the first 17 competitions she had entered, including her debut event as a wildcard in 2016, saved her best until last at the picturesque Italian city on the Adriatic coast.

On day one of the competition she surged into the lead with a sensational second-round showing, earning the highest-ever score for a single dive from the 21-metre platform. 

In front of a crowd estimated at about 70,000, she returned on Sunday for the final round of dives to close out the event, finishing with an overall score of 342.25 points, ahead of Canada’s Lysanne Richard (294.35), Belarussian Yana Nestsiarava (286.90) and Jimenez (276.55).

That ensured Iffland finished on top of the world rankings for the third successive year with 830 points.

Jimenez (760) finished runner-up for the second consecutive year, while Richard (690) was third and England’s Jessica Macaulay (600) fourth.

“I'm kind of lost of words,” Iffland said afterwards. “It still hasn't sunk in yet, but I knew I had to do a consistently good competition. I knew I had to smash it really.

“That was all that was in my head.

“Go out on the platform and be yourself and do it how you know it.

“I think it was a smart move to put the most difficult dive yesterday, so I had more energy.

“But the crowd and the atmosphere here today was filling me with energy anyway, so either way I'm super stoked.

“I love this place. It's one of my favourite stops and it is very special to stand up on the platform and look out and see all these people passionate about this sport.”

Iffland surpassed America’s former two-time world champion Rachel Simpson, who sent her a congratulatory video on social media.

“You’re so consistent and strong, you have such a great attitude,” Simpson said.

“You uplift others. You push the sport. You do new dives, you do cool dives, you make it fun. You have to rise to the challenge, and you do.”

As well as her success on the Red Bull circuit, the 27-year-old from Nord’s Wharf last year became the first Australian to win the FINA high-diving world championships in Budapest, run by the governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Iffland learned to dive in Lambton Pool under the tuition of Hunter United Diving Academy head coach Eric Brooker.

The men’s world title was won for the seventh time by England’s Gary Hunt, who has dominated the circuit since it was launched 10 years ago.