Strong Southerly Winds Force Postponement of Maresia Surf International
FLORIANOPOLIS, Santa Catarina/Brazil (Friday, May 21, 2010) – Friday dawned with grey skies, rain and stormy ocean conditions, with waves around 6 foot, but surrounded by strong currents making it even harder for the surfers to perform at Praia Mole, which combined with strong southerly winds of about 60 km/h led to the postponement until tomorrow for the Round of 48.
The day 4 of Maresia Surf International started with Alejo Muniz (BRA) winning. He is one more of the talented youngster Brazilian surfer. In the fight for the second place, a South African new-generation Beyrick de Vries, 17 years old, knocked two Brazilians, Jean da Silva, 25, and Thiago Camarao, 21.
“It’s very difficult out there, I couldn’t hear my scores properly, but until the end I could find two waves to win the heat in first,” said Alejo Muniz. “I have never used this board, and even thought it was looking to small in this ocean, but I trusted her. It is the board that I´ve been using in most of competitions, I’m glad it worked again.”
Another local hero who got a good win was the champion of last WQS stop in Brazil, last week at Saquarema, Willian Cardoso (BRA). He took the best wave of the day, but the highest heat score was established by Leandro Bastos (BRA), who totaled 14.60 points to defeat Aritz Aranburu (EUK), and both sent back home Mitch Coleborn (AUS) and Charlie Brown (BRA).
“The conditions are difficult, very strong south wind and knew I had to prioritize the wave ion, so it was what I did,” said Willian, motivated after a win in Saquarema. “Now I’m here with my girlfriend, my friends, so everything helps and the waves with that size, big, makes me more confident.”
The one other foreign surfer who won on Friday was the Frenchman Romain Cloitre, but the heat was all made up of competitors from foreign countries. Kevin Sullivan (HAW) was second, agains Shaun Cansdell (AUS) and Matt Pagan (USA) who leaving the race for $20,000 and 3,000 points offered for the champion of Maresia Surf International 2010.
“The conditions are very busy, but if you’re lucky to get a good one for sure will get in first or second,” said Romain Cloitre. “It was different, only foreigners, because we generally have one Brazilian at least in the heat. I can see so many good surfers from here and once out there no matter the opponent, we just have to surf the best of us to win the heat.”
The Round of 48 was transferred to start tomorrow at 7:30 am at the Praia Mole when we will also run the round of 24, setting the sixteen qualified athletes for the round of 16 which will open Sunday’s decisive day of 6 star Maresia Surf International.
Check the live web at www.aspsouthamerica.com.br
ROUND OF 48 – 6 STAR MARESIA SURF INTERNATIONAL IN BRAZIL:
Heat 1: Rodrigo Dornelles (BRA), Marco Giorgi (URY), Robson Santos (BRA), Kiron Jabour (HAW)
Heat 2: Jadson Andre (BRA), Dion Atkinson (USA), David do Carmo (BRA), Kyrstian Kymmerson (BRA)
Heat 3: Gabe Kling (USA), Leonardo Neves (BRA), Bernardo Pigmeu (BRA), Paulo Moura (BRA)
Heat 4: Pablo Paulino (BRA), Sebastien Zietz (HAW), Alex Ribeiro (BRA), Marthen Pagliarini (BRA)
Heat 5: Marco Polo (BRA), Dayyan Neve (AUS), Shaun Ward (USA), Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Heat 6: Renato Galvao (BRA), Diego Rosa (BRA), Rudy Palmboom (ZAF), Edvan Silva (BRA)
Heat 7: Raoni Monteiro (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Brendon Gibbens (ZAF)
Heat 8: Hizunome Bettero (BRA), T. J. Barron (HAV), Gustavo Fernandes (BRA), Ruda Carvalho (BRA)
Heat 9: Alejo Muniz (BRA), Austin Ware (USA), Pedro Henrique (BRA), Heath Joske (AUS)
Heat 10: Willian Cardoso (BRA), Yuri Sodré (BRA), Halley Batista (BRA), Beyrick de Vries (ZAF)
Heat 11: Heitor Alves (BRA), Jihad Khodr (BRA), Leandro Bastos (BRA), Kevin Sullivan (HAW)
Heat 12: Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Romain Cloitre (FRA), Luke Campbell (AUS), Victor Ribas (BRA)
(ASPWORLDTOUR:14199)
Category: All ASP News, ASP Star News
