Sunday, September 8, Praia Grande, Sintra, Portugal.
What an amazing final day at the second-to-last event of the IBC World Tour!
The conditions today were similar to yesterday, with beautiful, long waves on both sides, no wind, and a fantastic sunny day. It was awesome to see how the riders adapted to all kinds of challenges from day one to the last, showing that to be world champions, you need to be versatile and able to surf in any conditions.
Today is the big day, with the world titles on the line in the Women’s and Men’s divisions.
Here’s a recap of what went down in Praia Grande, Sintra: Let the action begin and the tension rise!
MEN DIVISION SEMIFINALS
What better way to kick off the day than with a world title at stake?
Every heat feels like a final, so the excitement is guaranteed.
LIONEL MEDINA vs PIERRE LOUIS COSTES
The Canarian rider is fighting to break into the world top 16, while the Frenchman is aiming to win in Sintra to keep his world champion hopes alive. Pierre Louis Costes dominated this heat, scoring a solid 16.95. Lionel Medina put up a great fight with a score of 15 points, but couldn’t take out Pierre, earning a well-deserved third place in Sintra instead.
Pierre Louis Costes: “Lionel is always a tough competitor. I managed to pull off an 8.45 backflip, and that helped me move on. I need to stay focused until the end; I’ve got one more heat to go.”
MAXIME CASTILLO vs URI VALADAO
These two stars of our sport put on a great showdown. Uri Valadao, coming off four wins in Sintra, was the favorite and lived up to the hype, advancing to the big final with the same solid performance he showed throughout the championship. Maxime Castillo took home a well-earned third place after eliminating many of the title favorites in Sintra, racking up points to climb the rankings.
Uri Valadao: “I’m super happy to be in the final and to face off against Pierre Louis Costes again. It’s going to be a bodyboarding show
WOMEN’S DIVISION SEMIFINALS
No doubt, we’re about to witness one of the most important heats of the year, where the two title contenders go head-to-head.
SARI OHHARA vs MAIRA VIANA
The tension and competition in this heat were off the charts!
The final result was super close, decided by just 0.25 points. Maira Viana from Brazil managed to beat Japan’s Sari Ohhara in a showdown that will go down in the history of this sport. But Maira had to stay focused because to become the world champion, she needed to win the event. Sari finished in third place, proving once again that she’s one of the best riders in recent years.
Maira Viana said, “It was a super intense heat, with a lot of paddle battles, but the important thing is that I made it through. Sari is always a great opponent.”
Next up was another intense heat to secure a spot in the final and compete for the title against the Brazilian.
KAIRA SHIRAHASE vs TERESA MIRANDA
Two of the strongest competitors throughout the event faced off in a warrior duel.
This time, the scales tipped in favor of the Canary Island rider, Teresa Miranda, who scored 12.4 against the 11.65 from the Japanese rider, who had to settle for third place.
Teresa Miranda said, “This event is really important to me, and I’m thinking about winning it. Both Sari and Maira are excellent competitors, and whoever becomes the world champion, I’ll be happy for her.”
MEN’S DIVISION FINAL
We’re kicking off one of the best battles you can see in bodyboarding, and one of the classic heats in the history of the sport.
URI VALADAO vs PIERRE LOUIS COSTES
World title on the line, Sintra Bodyboard Pro title up for grabs, two of the best riders in the world, fun waves, and a crowd hungry for a show. It was an epic heat, and it looks like the excitement is going to keep going for at least another month since the world champion hasn’t been decided yet.
French rider Pierre Louis Costes hit his first goal by winning in Sintra, and now he’s gearing up to take on the Gran Canaria Frontón King. Uri Valadao wraps up with a solid second place, showcasing some seriously radical surfing and proving to be a top contender in the sport day after day.
2024 SINTRA BODYBOARD PRO FESTIVAL CHAMPION
PIERRE LOUIS COSTES (FRANCE)
“I’m super stoked to win this event; Sintra is a really special place for me. Now I need to focus on the Gran Canaria Frontón King. It’s gonna be tough to win at El Frontón since the level in the Canaries is incredible. For me, it’s an unmatched spot and the best wave in the world for bodyboarding. I love the vibe there. I’ve won my world titles at El Frontón, and it’s a place that inspires me like no other.”
WOMEN’S DIVISION FINAL
Maira Viana needs to win in Sintra; if she comes in second, the world champion will be Sari Ohhara. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this final that decides the world champion. A year of hard work and dedication comes down to this heat.
TERESA MIRANDA vs MAIRA VIANA
After the final horn sounds, she raises her arms and screams—the new WORLD CHAMPION of the IBC World Tour 2024 is MAIRA VIANA. After putting together an almost perfect heat with a score of 16.15, the Brazilian pulls off the feat of her life, leaving Teresa with a well-deserved second place.
We at IBC World Tour congratulate her for the perseverance and effort she’s shown all year.
WORLD CHAMPION AND CHAMPION SINTRA BODYBOARD PRO FESTIVAL 2024
MAIRA VIANA (BRAZIL)
“I’m super excited! I have to thank God; He gave me the strength to be here. I’ve had a really tough few weeks with personal issues, but I made it. I managed to get through all my heats with high scores, and honestly, I’m really happy. It wasn’t an easy year, but I’m so grateful for the support from all my sponsors and everyone who backs me and sends positive vibes—family, friends, this victory is for all of you”.
Official results for the Sintra Bodyboard Pro Festival 2024
Women’s Division
1st: MAIRA VIANA (Brazil) – the new world champion for 2024!
2nd: TERESA MIRANDA (Canary Islands)
3rd: SARI OHHARA (Japan)
3rd: KAIRA SHIRAHASE (Japan)
Men’s Division
1st: PIERRE LOUIS COSTES (France)
2nd: URI VALADAO (Brazil)
3rd: LIONEL MEDINA (Canary Islands)
3rd: MAXIME CASTILLO (France)
Sintra is wrapping up, but just a reminder that the last event of the IBC World Tour will be held in Gáldar at the Gran Canaria Frontón King from October 12 to 27.
This event will decide the world titles in the Men’s and Junior Men’s divisions.
CONTENDERS AND POSSIBILITIES at Gran Canaria Frontón King 2024
MEN’S DIVISION
The chances for the world champion are as follows: Armide Soliveres and Pierre Louis Costes are the only two contenders.
1- If Pierre Louis Costes doesn’t win the Gran Canaria Frontón King, Armide Soliveres will automatically be the world champion.
2- If Pierre Louis Costes wins at El Frontón and Armide Soliveres comes in second, Armide will also be the world champion.
JUNIOR MEN’S DIVISION
This division will be completely decided at El Gran Canaria Frontón King, and there are many contenders for the title. In the coming days, we’ll be sharing the different candidates and scenarios across various IBC media.
It’s definitely going to be an unforgettable Tour finale that you won’t want to miss—this is Bodyboard, this is IBC WORLD TOUR.
THANK YOU ALL, AND SEE YOU AT THE FRONTÓN KING!”
Highlights by: Rafael Elías.
Photographer: Joâo Araújo.
SINTRA BODYBOARD FESTIVAL Pro 2024 – Sponsors and Partners
Câmara Municipal de Sintra
SMAS Sintra( Serviços Municipalizados de Sintra)
Associação de Bodyboard e Surf da Costa de Sintra
Prime School
Junta de Freguesia de Colares
Federação Portuguesa de Surf
Meo
Meo Beachcam
Vert Magazine
Radio Mega Hits
Reef Portugal
Hurley
Spoticar
Atelier do Sal
MYNKA
ADP Publicidade
Boogie Chicks
BBoard TV
#ibcworldtour #ibcworldtour2024 #bodyboard #bodyboarding
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