Conditions Improved Allowing The World’s Best Junior Surfers To Perform At The Highest Levels at La Lobería (La FAE) In Ecuador
Day 2 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) was filled with incredible performances by the top junior surfers in the world.
The surfing conditions improved at the left point break of La Lobería (La FAE), in Ecuador. The surf was in the 3-4 feet range throughout the day. The point came alive with 150 yard-long rides when the tide dropped which resulted in long peeling waves from the top of the point all the way to the inside.
Today showcased the opening Qualifying Round of the Under-18 and Under-16 Girls, who demonstrated their stellar talent, while the Under-18 and Under-16 Boys competed in the Qualifying Round 2.
“Today was an incredible day of competition. Every year, I am amazed by how the performance level only gets higher,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The action is getting more exciting as the do or die repechage rounds start tomorrow. The live webcast has been great and is available all over the world, so tune in wherever you may be.”
The girls divisions kicked off on podium 2, which is approximately 400 yards up the beach from the main contest site. In the Girls U-18, 2013 ISA WJSC Gold Medalist Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) had a strong start in the event becoming the standout of the day, earning 14.66, the highest total heat score of the division, defeating Paola Duarte (CRI, 8.96) and Elen Harding (GBR, 4.57).
For the first time in ISA history, Wales, recognized by the ISA in 2013, fielded a junior team. Displaying strong skills Emily Williams, advanced by winning her first heat in the competition.
Another standout in the division was Peru’s Melanie Giunta. “I am super excited for advancing in first place in my heat. I have been nervous because we don’t have many beach breaks in Peru, but we have been training here as a team. I am very happy for advancing and now its time to cheer on my teammates.”
In the Girls U-16, Australia’s Laura Poncini had the best performance of the day earning a total heat score of 14.00. The Aussie defeated Lilly Von Treuenfels (GER, 4.90) and Betan Lewis (GBR, 1.50).
Simultaneously, the Boys U-16 and Boys U-18 action took place at the Main Podium with Qualifying Round 2.
The boys were not holding back displaying critical airs and big turns, while taking advantage of the conditions to deliver a great show for the hundreds of spectators on the beach and the hundreds of thousands around the world, who watched through the live webcast.
In the Boy’s U-16, Hawaii’s Cody Young had the best performance of the day, earning a 12.80 total heat score. Young defeated Yuki Nakashiro (JPN, 10.33), his team-mate Kaulana Apo (HAW, 9.26) and Kairi Noro (JPN, 5.80). The Hawaiian only rode 4 waves in his heat to advance, posting 6.07 in the first minutes of the heat and later securing his victory with a 6.73 wave.
Another standout of the round was Australia’s Quinn Bruce. With strategic wave choice, the Aussie advanced in first place. “I watched the waves and I knew that everyone was going to the outside, so I stayed in the inside by myself and got a couple of good waves. That worked for me, as I got those little rights that had walls and sections to get through. The waves are really fun and I’m loving it.”
Next up was the Boy’s U-18, where Kanoa Igarashi from United States and Lucca Messinas from Peru, posted some of the biggest scores of the day, earning 16.00 and 14.33 points in their respective heats.
For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawjsc.com/results/
The 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship resumes Tuesday at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodges with guests from Team Wales.
Following that, the competition will feature:
6 heats of under-16 Girls Qualifying Round 2 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-18 Girls Qualifying Round 2 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-16 Boys Qualifying Round 3 (Main Podium)
6 heats of under-18 Boys Qualifying Round 3 (Main Podium)
3 heats of under-18 Girls Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
2 heats of under-16 Girls Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
12 heats of under-16 Boys Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
12 heats of under-18 Boys Repechage Round 1 (Second Podium)
The live webcast of the entire 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship is available on www.isawjsc.com