Ubatuba Pro Brazil gets off to a spectacular start for the Stand Up World Surfing Tour
Friday 3 May
The Trials reveal a whole new hotbed of talent for the Tour
The Trials component of the Ubatuba Pro, Stop 2 on the 2013 Stand Up World Tour, saw over 40 athletes battle it out for the final 8 places in the main event. With a strong show of talent, both young and old, it came down to the performance of each athlete on the day, as the 40+ athletes became 8 and the Trials were wrapped by the end of Day 1 of the Ubatuba Pro.
Stand outs from the Trials included Luis Fernando, Lucas Medeiros and Michel Jonas, not to mention the young Kainoa Teixeira from Brazil and Sebastian Gomes from Peru. Another youngster who really stood out throughout the Trials, but faltered in the last all important qualification heat, was Kai Bates (Fanatic) from Australia: definitely a name to watch out for and destined to be a real force on the Stand Up World Tour.
Leading Contenders make waves in the opening rounds
The Main event got underway first thing today, as the world’s best embarked on stop 2 of the 2013 World Tour here at Itamambuca Beach in Ubatuba, Brazil.
With beautiful blue skies and a rising swell, the action was impressive, as one of the most competitive first rounds to date got underway. In the early heats, we saw 2 x World Champion Kai Lenny (Naish) from Maui and Brazilian Champion Renato Wanderley put on strong opening performances, as did 2012 Ubatuba Pro Champion Mo Freitas (Focus SUP/Body Glove), followed closely by an on form Adriano Trinca Ferro.
Ian Vaz and Kody Kerbox continue their great 2013 form
Ian Vaz (Art in Surf) put together a strong performance in his opening heats, continuing on his form from the Abu Dhabi All Stars in early April to secure his place in the 3rd and then 4th Rounds. Ian was followed closely by Kody Kerbox (Naish) from Maui, who continues his impressive form in 2013, advancing onto the 4th Round
Justin Holland, Carlos Bahia and Mattheus Salazar excel
Justin Holland (Starboard) and Carlos Bahia dominated their heats to advance through to Round 4, while Dave Muir started out strong, but faltered in Round 3 when faced with an unsurmountable performance from the younger brother of Leco Salazar, Mattheus who scored an 8 point ride in his 3rd round heat.
Leco Salazar starts strong and Fernando Stalla impresses
Leco Salazar starts well here in Ubatuba, with another display of fluid and radical surfing, while Fernando Stalla (Rogue) from Mexico puts on a stand out performance in Round 1, only to stumble in Round 3, narrowly missing out on advancing through to the next round.
Zane Schweitzer on top; Keahi de Aboitiz takes harder rd
Zane Schweitzer (Starboard) continues his impressive form form Abu Dhabi, dominating his heats to advance through to Round 4, while Australia’s Keahi de Aboitiz (JP Australia) is forced to pass through the repechage in order to make it back into Round 3 and then on into Round 4.
With a strong performance from this Australian performance surfer, we can expect great things when competition resumes tomorrow, from both Keahi and Zane.
Caio Vaz on form; Miyakawa, Steinfath & Martino advance
Caio Vaz (Art in Surf) puts on a strong performance in his Round 1 and 3 heats, clearly making it through to Round 4, followed by Eric Miyakawa (Art in Surf), while Tamil Martino and Casper Steinfath (Naish) convincingly earn their places in Round 3.
Sean Poynter starts well, while Noa Ginella finds form
Sean Poynter (Starboard) started well to earn his place directly into Round 3, as did Noa Ginella (Naish) from the North Shore of Oahu, the Italian Airton Cozzolino (Fanantic) and Connor Baxter (Starboard) from Maui.
More known for his racing expertise, Connor showed himself to be every bit the contender in the World Tour Surfing event here at Itamambuca Beach, ousting Jackson Close (JP Australia) and relegating him to the repechage. However, Jackson would end up fighting back, earning his place back in the action in Round 3 of the Main Event.
Tune into www.standupworldtour.com/brazil.php for live
So it was an amazing day of action and a beautiful day here at Itamambuca Beach for Rounds 1 – 3 of the Ubatuba Pro Brazil, stop 2 of the 2013 Stand Up World Tour.
Make sure to join us tomorrow morning live from 7.30am Sao Paolo time, as action will pick up again with the last 4 heats of round 3, into Round 4 and then the Women’s competition, featuring current ratings leader Nicole Pacelli, last year’s winner here Kate Brandi and top European contender, Iballa Moreno (Starboard). Join us live from 7.30am at:
www.standupworldtour.com/brazil.php
A big thank you to all our partners of the Ubatuba Pro
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