Day three of competition in Morocco, and it was finally time for the world’s Top 16 to make their season debut in the Men’s Prime Series.
Conditions this morning were a massive step up from the previous days—solid size, offshore winds, and never-ending rights at Anza Beach.
Rounds 3 and 4 are officially in the books, leaving just 24 athletes left in the hunt.
ROUND 3 (Non-Elimination)
Since this was a non-elimination round, the top two from each heat jumped straight to Round 5, while 3rd and 4th place finishers got a second life in the Round 4 repechage.
The heavy hitters wasted no time in the opening heat. Amaury Lavernhe, competing under the Spanish flag for the first time, couldn’t have asked for a better start, moving on with a solid 14.75 total. Morocco’s Elghzal Yassine put on a clinic, pulling off one of the day’s highlights—a massive inverted air on a set wave—to take the win.
Last season’s breakout star, Moroccan Chajri Bard Eddine, proved his spot in the world rankings is no fluke with a super consistent heat to advance directly. In Heat 4, Peru’s Cristopher Bayona played his best cards, sticking a huge backflip that got the crowd on their feet. He moved on alongside defending World Champ Uri Valadao.
Then came the debut of the GOAT, France’s Pierre Louis Costes. He lived up to the hype, taking first place with countryman Ethan Capdeville right on his heels. Spain’s Lionel Medina also took care of business at Anza, showing exactly why he thrives in these types of waves, advancing along with Moroccan local hero Brahim Iddouch.
Heat 7 was the performance of the day. South Africa’s Tristan Roberts showed he’s in peak form, dropping the highest total of the event so far with a 15.6. He also snagged the day’s high score—a 9-point ride featuring two backflips and a roll. In the final heat, the man to beat and current world #3 Armide Soliveres made sure everyone knew he’s back to dominate in Morocco again.
ROUND 4 (Repechage)
The 3rd and 4th place riders faced off here for one last shot at the Top 24.
The first heat was a nail-biter, with the top three separated by less than a point. Congrats to Joel Rodrigues (Portugal) and Eder Luciano (Brazil) for squeezing through.
Current Junior World Champ Louka Zaninotto looked more and more at home in the Pro division, advancing with local favorite Benabdeslam Achraf. France’s Pierre Louis Boisselier, who’s been grinding since Round 1, took the win over Morocco’s Boulahia Hassan.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Edwin Aldana put on a great show with Chile’s young gun Joaquin Soto close behind. All of them secured their spots in Round 5. That’s a wrap from the beautiful Anza Beach in Agadir. It was an epic day of high-performance riding and non-stop action.
After checking the forecast, the organizers have called a lay day for tomorrow. Stay tuned to our channels for the next call.
This event is shaping up to be legendary—you don’t want to miss the world’s best battling it out for the first title of the season.
Catch all the action live at: www.ibcworldtour.com
A huge thanks to our partners and sponsors:
Associations:
• Taghazout Boardriders Club
• New Generation
• Anza Blue Waves
Hotels:
• Tikida Group
Sponsors:
• Epride
• Rip Curl
• Red Bull
Press and TV Channels:
• MAP
• Arryadia
• Al Oula
• 2M
Tourism:
• RDTR
• Regional Tourism Council
Authorities:
• Ministry of Education
• City of Agadir
• Souss Massa Regional Wilaya – Agadir Prefecture
• Souss Massa Region
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