Friday, June 20, Punta 2, Iquique, Chile.
The fourth and amazing day of competition kicked off at 11:00 AM local time.
The wave conditions have improved throughout the day; the ocean has been much more organized and consistent, creating perfect conditions for the athletes to showcase their incredible skills in these final rounds. During low tide, left-hand waves were dominant, and as the tide came in, the right-hand waves got better.
The level and competitiveness of the athletes have been rising, leading to some thrilling performances in both divisions.
ROUND 5 / MEN PRIME SERIES
We’re down to the top 24 athletes in Iquique. This round consists of 8 heats with 3 riders each, where only 2 will advance.
The first heat of the day was won by the current number 3 in the IBC rankings, the experienced Moroccan rider Brahim Iddouch, who is back at his best. Renowned Peruvian rider Miguel Rodríguez also achieved his goal and made it to the top 16. Brazilian Isaias Ravyc was eliminated.
Then came the best heat of the competition so far. South African Tristan Roberts, the defending champion in Iquique, achieved the highest total score of the event so far with a 17.75 and also scored the highest single wave of 9.5, executing a deep tube followed by a huge invert. We can’t forget the performance of Arica’s Moisés Silva, who scored the second-best total of the entire event with 16.65, just 0.10 behind Tristan. Ethan Capdeville was eliminated, having struggled against his strong opponents. Each heat has been an absolute show.
A nail-biting third heat of the day saw Canary Island Armide Soliveres take first place with a score of 15.5, closely followed by Rodrigo Silva, who was just 0.25 behind, proving that he and his brother are in great form. The rider from Réunion Island, Clement Lodeho, bids farewell after a solid competition.
Heat 4 was intense at Punta 2. Cristopher Bayona once again proved he’s one of the fittest athletes in the competition, dominating the heat from start to finish. Pierre Louis pulled off a radical tube and invert in the last minute, scoring an 8.5. Bastian Venegas kept the pressure on Pierre until the very end, but couldn’t quite make it, although he leaves with a great performance.
Multiple-time world champion Uri Valadao also had an impressive total of 16 points, showcasing a fantastic array of inverts and backflips. Chilean Agustín Figueroa connected a solid backflip in the last minute, fulfilling his dream of moving on to the next heat. Canary rider Javier Domínguez couldn’t continue in the competition but once again demonstrated his high level.
In a tight heat with Argentine Patricio Galay, who is making waves as one of the event’s surprises, he executed a giant invert that earned him a tough 8-point score. Brazil’s Eder Luciano delivered several wave combinations that secured him a spot in the next round. Itacoatiara champion Yon Aimar said goodbye to the championship, showing off impressive left backflips.
Iquiqueño Marcelo Faundes, who received a Wildcard for this competition, once again proved why he was granted it and made it clear he’s a rival to beat. One of Chile’s most promising surfers at the moment, Joaquín Soto, finished just 0.25 behind his friend and compatriot, with both achieving their goals. Meanwhile, one of the favorites, Canary rider Lionel Medina, who has been making podiums in Iquique for several years, fell victim to bad luck with an interference call.
The last heat of this round was another show, with all three competitors finishing within less than 1 point of each other. Brazilian Gabriel Braga tackled the right side of Punta 2, which he says is one of his favorite waves. Moroccan Chajri Badr Eddine once again surprised everyone in his first year on the world tour. Another of Chile’s greatest athletes in history, Matías Diaz, bids farewell amid applause from the crowd.
ROUND 5 / WOMEN PRIME SERIES
Just like the previous round for the guys, this matchup was in heats of 3 riders. The only difference is that only the top 12 from this event are still in the competition, so they’re fighting for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Right from the first heat, there’s a surprise as the young Brazilian Blanca Simoes pulls off an incredible performance, scoring a total of 14 points. The Japanese rider Yuka Nishimura meets her goal and continues to advance with some solid maneuvers. The shocker is that both competitors have knocked out the current world champion and last year’s champ in Iquique, none other than the Brazilian Maira Viana.
The current number 1 in the IBC rankings, Japan’s Namika Yamashita, wins her heat decisively and is already through to the quarter-finals. She’s done it again – the local teen Constanza Soto, just 15 years old, makes it to the quarter-finals, definitely the standout performer in Iquique. On the other hand, Brazilian Filipa Broeiro bids farewell after putting in a strong competition.
In the third heat of the day for the women, there was a lot at stake. The current world number 2, Alexandra Rinder, advances again as the top rider, making it clear that she wants to reclaim the world title for the third time in her career this year. Brazilian Nicolle Calheiros pulls off a surprise, eliminating none other than Portuguese Joana Schenker, a two-time world champion and currently ranked number 3 in the IBC.
The last and most anticipated heat of the day didn’t disappoint; five-time world champion Neymara Carvalho led the heat, showing great flow, riding a wave with a 360º followed by a beautiful roll that scored her 7 points. Maylla Venturi showcased her experience, changing the outcome in the final seconds with a roll that got her the score to move on to the quarter-finals. Sara Abiko leaves the competition showing her great potential.
After an amazing day of competition, we say goodbye until tomorrow.
The organizers have decided to hold a check-in tomorrow at 10:30 AM local time, where they will assess the conditions and make decisions on-site.
Thanks to all the sponsors and collaborators for making this possible.
PRESENTA:
@municipalidad_iquique
ORGANIZA:
@Cormudepi
AUSPICIA:
@Zofri_sa
@Erizosurfbrand
@hotelcavancha
@kine_vitta
@IbisIquique
COLABORAN:
@clubheaven.cl
@redsaludcchc
@salvavidas_iquique
@chiringuitocavancha.cl
@lajuanaiqq
@agua.manantial
@mariadelmarcafe
@erizosstore
You can follow the event live and everything related to the IBC World Tour through the following channels:
Website: ibcworldtour.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ibcworld_tour
Facebook: facebook.com/ibc.world.tour
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ibcworldtour
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@IBCWorldTour
#municipalidad_ #Cormudepi #Zofri_sa #Erizosurfbrand #hotelcavancha #kine_vitta #IbisIquique #clubheaven.cl #redsaludcchc #salvavidas_iquique
#chiringuitocavancha.cl #lajuanaiqq #agua.manantial #mariadelmarcafe
#erizosstore
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