All 3 made the first part of the Session format nailing top spots in the leaderboard and advancing through to the Man-on-Man elimination rounds. We couldn’t ask for anything better as they also advanced through to the Quarters on Main Event day 2 which meant they would all take part in the Final Day. Big props to Maxime Castillo who knocked out local legend Dudu Pedra, scoring the highest total of the day with 16 points.
The Final Day has been much more complicated for the local from La Salie. Maxime lost against Jared Houston for a spot in what could have been his first Semifinal participation in a Grand Slam event. A tough heat for both competitors, who didn’t find any great waves. The former World Champion showed his experience and found a decent section on the biggest wave of the heat to roll through to the semifinals.
In the next heat, Tristan Roberts was facing his good friend and Arica Cultura Bodyboard champion Tanner McDaniel. A way more spectacular heat, won by the South African, showing once again that he was able to fight for the top spots with the world’s best. Finally, Pierre-Louis Costes defeated Alan Munoz, riding some solid barrels and later would be joined by former World Champion Iain Campbell in the Semis.
Conditions during the Semifinals were big & perfect, with a sunny & warm weather and a lineup groomed with offshore winds. Nonetheless, Itacoatiara remains a fickle beachbreak, and options taken before the heat are often crucial for its outcome. Iain Campbell & Pierre-Louis Costes had chosen two different options. Iain looking for the lefts, on the left side of the beach, while PLC was positioned on the other side of the rip, mainly focused on right-handers. Safe to say Iain’s option paid off as he scored the best have of the event with a Pipeline esque barrel to air reverse, rewarded with a more than deserved perfect 10. And unfortunately leaving Pierre-Louis at the door of the second Final this year.
On the other hand, Tristan didn’t crumble under pressure and kept showing his powerful and aerial bodyboarding, defeating his older fellow South African Jared Houston. And doing so, making it to his first man-on-man final in a Grand Slam event.
Unfortunately, he later lost against Iain, who took the lead of the 2018 APB Tour, showing he’s still one to watch out for the title this year.
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PLC & Tristan are trusting the top spots behind Iain Campbell in the 2018 title race, while Maxime showed that he could definitely get his ticket for a Grand Slam semifinal.
Wishing good luck to them & Isabela Sousa for the next event in Australia: The Kiama Bodyboard King Pro which will take place on the South Coast of Sydney early in August.
Creditos: Tony DAndrea, Itacoatiara Pro, APB Tour