DAY 4 OF COMPETITION AT THE VISIT MALDIVES PRO 2024
The organizers kicked things off with check-in at 7:00 AM local time. There was some uncertainty about the ocean conditions, so they did another check-in at 8:30 AM. This time, they decided to go ahead and start the fourth and second-to-last day of competition. The conditions were smaller than in previous days, but all the athletes showed their versatility because to be among the best in the world, you’ve got to know how to surf in all kinds of weather.
We’re now entering the final days of competition, which means the pressure is ramping up, and the riders are stepping up their game in increasingly competitive heats. Everyone is fighting to become champions of the Visit Maldives Pro, break into the world top rankings, or even become world champions.
Today’s agenda was as follows: Round 5 MEN, Round 5 WOMEN, and Round 5 and Quarterfinals for the JUNIOR Men division.
MEN’S DIVISION (Round 5)
This crucial round was held in a head-to-head format, where only one could advance to the quarterfinals and secure a spot among the top 8.
The first heat kicked off with a showdown between two of the event’s breakout stars, Japanese surfer Hayato Enokiko and young Spanish rider Ethan Pérez. Hayato achieved his goal by coming in first. Just a reminder, Ethan is still competing in the Junior division.
The second heat of the day featured sixth-ranked Ethan Capdeville against fifth-ranked Dave Hubbard. Unfortunately, Ethan is sick and couldn’t compete; we wish him a speedy recovery.
French surfer Maxime Castillo faced off against Brazilian Eder Luciano in a heat that was decided by just 0.5 points. Maxime managed to advance to the quarterfinals, while Eder put up a great fight but just missed out.
The number 2 ranked surfer, Gabriel Braga, went up against young Portuguese rider Joel Rodrigues. Once again, it was a super tight battle decided by just 1 point. Gabriel continues to fight for the world title and isn’t making it easy for his opponents.
Heat 3 featured two sea gladiators, Tristan Roberts from South Africa going up against Amaury Lavernhe from Réunion Island. Just reading those names guarantees a high-level showdown. This time, the South African took the top spot by just 0.5 tenths, while the Frenchman had to say goodbye to the competition in a super tight heat.
Next up was the current ranking leader, Armide Soliveres, facing off against Frenchman Yann Salaun, who couldn’t make it past this round. Armide showed once again his incredible skill, breezing through his heat. Yann put up a great fight but had to bow out.
In heat 7, we had a battle of the French with Pierre Louis Costes and Clement Lodeho. Pierre proved once again that age is just a number, showing he’s a versatile rider in all kinds of conditions. Clement also had a strong performance as he continues to fight for a spot in the world top ranks.
In the last heat of the day for the Men’s division, Brazilian Uri Valadao and Canarian Aitor Ojeda went head-to-head. Uri showed he’s one of the best in the world with his aggressive and versatile surfing style. Aitor had a solid showing, finishing in 9th place.
WOMEN’S DIVISION (ROUND 5)
This round had heats with 3 competitors each, where 2 of them qualified for the quarterfinals, achieving their goal of making it into the top 8 of this stage.
Namika Yamashita, Neymara Carvallo, and Sara Abiko had a super close heat, with Namika standing out with a score of 12.5, just ahead of Neymara’s 11.2. Unfortunately, Japanese surfer Sara Abiko had to exit the competition after a great performance.
A big surprise came in heat 3 when the current ranking leader, Brazilian Maira Vianna, fell short by just 0.5 tenths in a nail-biter. South African rider Pamela Bowren took first place, with Austrian Alexandra Rinder coming in second.
Luna Hardman, currently ranked number 2, also got knocked out in her heat, which really opens up the chances for other riders to become world champions. In this heat, we gotta highlight the former world champ from Japan, Sari Ohhara, who came in first, and Teresa Miranda, the defending champ from the Visit Maldives Pro, who’s still in the running.
The last battle of the round featured Portuguese riders, and only two made it to the quarterfinals. Shoutout to the event’s wildcard athlete, junior Luana Dourado, who came in first ahead of Teresa Padrela. Unfortunately, one of the favorites, Joana Schenker, got eliminated.
JUNIOR MEN (ROUND 5 and Quarterfinals)
ROUND 5
Twelve young competitors fought for a spot in the quarterfinals. In Round 5, they faced off in heats of three, and only two moved on in the title chase.
The current number 5 in the rankings, Brazilian Guilherme Montenegro, came in first ahead of Australian Jai Taylor. Moroccan Abdi Mohamed got eliminated but still had a solid showing.
A big surprise came when the number 1 ranked rider, Canary Islander Alexander Montes, couldn’t advance, giving a boost to his rivals for the world title. South Africa’s Hugo Naude came in first, just 0.5 points ahead of Spain’s Ethan Pérez, who took second.
More surprises in a nail-biter heat! Mikelle Arraigada from Chile, currently ranked number 2 in the IBC, didn’t miss her chance to move on to the quarterfinals. Reunion Island rider Milo Lautier eliminated Jorge Hernández, the event wildcard, in a super close heat—Hernández is the 2023 Visit Maldives Pro champ and the 2022 world champ.
Another crazy heat featured juniors, with Hugo Medina from the Canary Islands showing off his great form and advancing in first place. The second spot was taken by the current world champ, Peru’s Micheel Yancce, but then something unexpected happened: young Portuguese rider Vicente Campos pulled off a fantastic ARS at the last second, just as the buzzer went off, securing his spot in the quarterfinals.
QUARTERFINALS
The exciting Quarter Finals of the Junior Men’s division are kicking off! This time, it was a head-to-head battle, and only one could make it to the podium and secure a spot among the top 4 in this edition.
Guilherme Montenegro from Brazil went up against Ethan Pérez from Spain. This matchup between two favorites leaned in favor of the Spaniard, and Ethan is now guaranteed a spot on the podium. Great performance from young Guilherme, who finishes in 5th place at this stage.
Australian rider Jai Taylor, who has been competing since round 1, has made it to the podium for the first time and pulled off a surprise in a super exciting heat, finishing first just 0.1 points ahead of South Africa’s Hugo Naude, who put on an incredible show and leaves to a round of applause.
An impressive showdown took place between number 2 Mikelle Arriagada and the breakout star of the championship, Vicente Campos. They ended up tied at 11.75 points, but the Chilean rider advanced to the semifinals thanks to having the best wave of the heat. Vicente Campos from Portugal, just 14 years old, wraps up his participation in 5th place after advancing from the first round.
The last heat of the day featured French rider Milo Lautier and Canarian Hugo Medina. Once again, it was a fiercely contested heat that went in Milo’s favor, allowing him to secure a spot in the semifinals. The last Canarian in this category finishes with a well-deserved 5th place.
It was a long day of competition with challenging conditions, but it really showcased the versatility of all the competitors. Tomorrow is likely to be the final day of competition, so don’t miss out!
It’s going to be super exciting and fun to watch the best in the world battle for the title at the Visit Maldivas Pro 2024.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 7th, check-in will be at 7:00 AM “local time,” and the schedule is expected to be:
– Men’s Quarter Finals
– Women’s Quarter Finals
– Junior Men’s Semifinals
– Men’s Semifinals
– Women’s Semifinals
– Junior Men’s Final
– Women’s Final
– Men’s Final
Stay tuned for the live broadcast at:
Fotógrafos: @ramankamaldeen / @h.u.m.a.i.d.h / @witteyy
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