Heitor Alves Claims ASP WQS 6-Star Maresia Surf International
PARACURU, Ceara/Brazil (Sunday, January 31) – It was a thrilling closure for the ASP WQS 6-Star Maresia Surf International. Ronco do Mar beach was completely full to see local surfer Heitor Alves overtake Alejo Muniz in a tight Brazilian Final – 16.07 X 16.00 points.
Heitor Alves, 26 years old, walked away with US$20,000 and received 3,000 points in the ASP One Ranking scoring a combined two-wave total of 16.07 (out of a possible 20) in tricky afternoon conditions while Alejo Muniz, 19 years old, managed to score an 8.17 and 7.83 pocketing US$10.000 and 2,250 points.
They both defeated Brazilian Alan Jones and Hawaiian Sebastian Zietz respectively in the semi finals. Alan and Sebastian finished in 3rd place winning U$5.000 and 1.688 points each. Now the crew will fly to Fernando de Noronha Island for an ASP WQS 6-Star that starts on Tuesday.
“I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say. It’s amazing to win at home with all that support from the crowd, my family and friends here.” said Heitor. “I’m stoked and that is the first step to go back to the WT elite. I stayed in that position two years and I feel that it’s my place. I’m going back to stay.”
The Champion made his way through the final using his experience to beat Brazilian Leonardo Neves in the round of 16 than won his battle against Brazilian Hizunomê Bettero in the quarter final. In the Semifinal he overtook another Brazilian newcomer Alan Jones.
It was a seesawing Final where Alejo took the lead at first but Heitor gave a good answer with a 7,67. Young Alejo answered back scoring 7.83. Heitor was alive and put fire in the crowd with two blasts that gave him 8.40. Alejo had the priority and got a nice wave. He did 3 strong moves but didn’t reach the 7.83 he needed. Time was over and Heitor confirmed his victory with the crazy crowd on the Ronco do Mar beach.
“It’s always good to run a final so I’m happy. I did my best in that last wave and, to say the truth, I thought it was good enough to take the lead but it’s ok because Heitor deserves that victory by the way he surfed throughout the contest”, said the Brazilian and South American Pro Junior Champion Alejo who was elected the rookie of the year in the last Hawaiian Triple Crown and almost entered in the ASP Tour.
Alejo defeated the last North Americans in the Maresia Surf International. He advanced on Nathaniel Curran in the round of 16 and beat Sebastian Zietz in the semi final. Between those heats he overtook Thiago de Souza in the quarter final.
Sebastian did his job to finish 3rd and was pretty happy: “It’s my first time in Brazil and I’m happy with the result. That’s my Best presentation in the WQS. It’s nice to start well because I’m looking for a good position in the ASP Tour. I renounced to surf at home in the WQS Pipeline in order to surf that 6-star and the Prime in Noronha. I liked here a lot. There are many beautiful girls, it’s hot and the place is amazing.”
(ASPWORLDTOUR:13712)
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