ITACOATIARA PRO IBC 2023 HIGHLIGHTS/Press Release and Photos DAY 1

ITACOATIARA PRO 2023 COMMENCES WITH A RECORD AUDIENCE

As anticipated, waves of approximately two meters made their way to the shores of Rio de Janeiro, awakening Itacoatiara—though slightly inconsistent, they proved adequate for a successful start to the Brazilian segment of the global bodyboard circuit.

With a remarkable achievement in terms of viewership, the live broadcast of Itacoatiara Pro garnered nearly 50,000 spectators—setting a record. This is quite noteworthy, especially considering it was only the first day of the competition.

At the beginning of the day, the legendary 60-year-old Mike Stewart triumphed in the first heat—much to the delight of devoted fans of the sport. Despite being eliminated in the subsequent heats, he demonstrated that he still possesses significant contributions to offer to the tour.

The initially promising day took a downturn for the local athletes—as the two main contenders from Itacoatiara, Dudu Pedra and Thiago Jatobá, were eliminated from the competition in round two.

Nevertheless, the day held intrigue for Brazilian participants—with six athletes successfully progressing to round three: Gabriel Castro, Thiago Barros, Sergio Machado, Carlos Bastos, José Augusto, and Zacarias Nunes. Notably, Zacarias Nunes achieved the highest wave score of the day with 8 points and the highest total score of 15 points.

The day held special significance for Canary Island rider Diego Cabrera—who previously won the Itacoatiara Pro in 2015 but had been absent from competitions. Diego showcased an outstanding performance, advancing to 1st place and securing his position in the upcoming top round, scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday).

NEW SWELL PROMISES WAVES OVER 3 METERS

Optimistic forecasts await big wave enthusiasts—as waves exceeding 3 meters are expected from tomorrow until next Thursday. Itacoatiara Beach offers challenging conditions for athletes and a captivating spectacle for those interested in the subject.

There are three remaining days of competition scheduled before we determine the champion of Itacoatiara Pro 2023—and the most optimistic individuals anticipate that this grand finale will take place on Sunday, the 18th, which marks the final day of the waiting period.

THE ITACOATIARA PRO 2023 IS SPONSORED BY THE NITERÓI CITY COUNCIL ON ITS 450TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE MUNICIPAL SECRETARY OF SPORTS AND LEISURE OF NITERÓI.

@tonydandreafotografia