Brazilian Sivana Lima scored the first perfect 10 ride on the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games yesterday (June 30, 2011) at Panama’s Playa Venao.
Lima’s perfect performance came at the right time for Team Brazil who are trailing Australia with just two days remaining in the competition that features Open Women’s, Open Men’s and Longboard divisions. In total, 27 nations are represented, all vying for Gold Medals and the prestigious overall international Teams Title.
The ISA World Surfing Games wrap up on Saturday, July 2, 2011. Click here to view all the heats on video. For more details follow the jump.Billabong ISA World Surfing Games presented by Panama
Playa Venao, Panama
June 25th – July 2nd, 2011
www.billabongpro.com/isa11/
Playa Venao, Panama (Thursday, June 30th 2011): Petite Brazilian powerhouse, Silvana Lima (BRA), today registered the first perfect 10-point ride of the week-long Billabong ISA World Surfing Games taking place at the remote beachbreak of Playa Venao in Panama.
Lima’s perfect performance came at the right time for Team Brazil who are trailing Australia with just two days remaining in the competition that features Open Women’s, Open Men’s and Longboard divisions. In total, 27 nations are represented, all vying for Gold Medals and the prestigious overall international Teams Title.
In the clean one-metre waves and with nothing to lose, Lima took to the skies in an effort to advance from her repechage heat, and her eventual two-wave combined heat total of 19.40 points was a tournament high. The 27 year-old has now progressed to within two heats of the all-important final and will next face France’s Alizee Arnaud (FRA) and South Africa’s Tanika Hoffman (ZAF).
Brazil’s success continued in the Open Men’s division with competitor Michael Rodrigues (BRA) accounting for one of the tournament’s biggest stars in the form of former ISA World Champion, Frenchman Jeremy Flores (FRA).
Rodrigues outpointed Flores by the slimmest of margins, getting the judge’s nod by just half-a-point to progress behind another Latin American standout, Santiago Muniz (ARG) of Argentina.
France’s fortunes were reversed in the Open Longboard Division with both Remi Arauzo (FRA) and Antoine Delpero (FRA) putting on a classy display of classic and modern riding to progress through two repechage heats and set-up a semi-finals berth against American hotshot Tyler Jensen (USA) and Tahiti’s Heifara Tahutini (PYF).
Despite losing longboarder Dane Pioli (AUS) today, Team Australia sits comfortably in the lead with five surfers (Mick Campbell, Thomas Woods, Dimity Stoyle, Jessi Miley-Dyer and Harley Ingleby) all still in contention for medals via the fast-track Qualifying Rounds.
Big upsets will have to come from the likes of Brazil, France and South Africa in the coming two days, if they intend to topple Australia from another possible Billabong ISA World Surfing Games gold, with Brazil having the best mathematical chance.
Venezuela has enjoyed their best ever ISA World Games appearance, situated in fifth place with two days of competition remaining. Despite suffering the elimination of Open Men’s team representative, Francisco Bellorin (VEN) today, hopes are held high for a medal with Rafael Pereira (VEN) just one heat away from the Qualifying Final.
Defending champions, Peru, are currently sitting in sixth position.
Organizers will resume competition at 10:00am local time, with the remaining Women’s Repechage heat followed by the Aloha Cup team challenge. The tournament climaxes with the Medal Awards Ceremony on Saturday afternoon (July 2nd).
All the action from every heat can be viewed live via the official website at www.billabongpro.com/isa11
The ISA (International Surfing Association) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing authority of surfing.
For additional information including the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games schedule, heat draws, results and competitor info, please log on to www.billabongpro.com/isa11
