Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle felt right at home in the long left point break like Pavones,
and dominated her heat in the Girls U-16. Photo: Rommel Gonzales
Qualifying and Repechage heats took place today, and the first athletes in the World Championship were eliminated. The Repechage is a do-or-die round; if a surfer gets 3rd or 4th place, the athlete is out of the competition.
The surf conditions were challenging as the waves decreased to the 2-3 feet range. Surfline, the official forecaster, is predicting a solid swell will arrive and build through the final days of the competition, with 5-7 feet waves on the last day. However, today, most of the competitors opted for the inside beach break as the point break was inconsistent.
Mid-way through the day, surfers and lifeguards reported a small shark feeding near the line up, so event officials immediately cleared the water. After an extensive reconnaissance conducted by lifeguards in the water and with the help of a police helicopter, event officials determined the best course of action was to postpone the competition until the next morning.
“Athlete safety is the ISA’s number one priority at the World Championships. We take that very seriously and always will,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The competition is reaching its critical stages, when athletes in the Repechage can’t afford to lose or they will go home.
“All National Teams have come together in Ecuador as part of the global surfing tribe and are enjoying the great Ecuadorean culture, hospitality, and friendly vibes,” concluded Aguerre.
In the Girls U-16, Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle was the dominant surfer in the division.
McGonagle, who at only 14 years old is the Central American Girl’s Junior Champion, posted the highest total heat score of 13.67, defeating Elin Tawharu, (NZL, 5.17) and Cana Foster (RSA, 3.44).
In the Girls U-18, Australia’s Holly Wawn, a member of Australia’s 2013 Gold Medal Junior Team, was the standout of the day earning a total heat score of 13.33, narrowly defeating Tessa Thyssen (FRA, 13.27), Frankie Harrer (USA, 4.52), and Teal Hogg (RSA, 2.30).
In the Girls U-18 Repechage, Lucia Cosoleto (ARG), was a standout of the day, earing a total heat score of 11.50, defeating the local Ecuadorean Maria Game (6.33), who by placing second moves on to the next round, but unfortunately for Adriana Samanamud (CHI, 2.57), she will be going home.
Japan’s Yuji Nishi was the best performer in the Boys U-16 Repechage. Posting a total heat score of 14.16, Japan’s Junior Grand Champion defeated Juan Gonzales (PUR, 7.80) and Joseph Mendez (CRI, 6.50). Nishi and Gonzales survived one more day in the competition, but Mendez was not as lucky and is now eliminated from the competition.
For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawjsc.com/results/
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