Dramatic action at Day 3 of the Huntington Beach Pro sees performance levels sky rocket
Spectacular performances define a magical day here at the Huntington Beach Pro
Despite early morning winds that buffeted the event site on arrival today at Huntington Beach, by the time the sun came up, the wind backed off and the conditions turned on for a day to remember here in Surf City USA.
It all began with the Repechage Round, where we saw athletes battle it out to get back into the running here at Stop 4 of the 2014 Stand Up World Tour.
Uncharacteristically, one of these athletes was Ian Vaz (Art in Surf), current number 5, who had to battle his way back into contention after a first round slip up. However, comeback he did, as he became one of the stand out performers in Rounds 3 and 4, posting impressively high scores to earn his place in the quarterfinals, where he will now face his own brother, current rankings leader Caio Vaz (Art in Surf)
It will be a noteworthy battle, as the two brothers face each other at a clutch time in the 2014 season, with Ian looking to improve on his 5th place overall in the current world rankings and Caio looks to secure the World Title right here in Huntington Beach. However, to do this, he must not only beat his brother, but win the event.
Whatever happens, it will be a final day to remember, so make sure to join us LIVE from Huntington Beach to watch history in the making right here in Surf CIty USA. Watch it all LIVE at www.watermanleague.com
Women’s Round 3 sees stand out performances and great action
We saw impressive performances today from the women’s division, as the Top seeds advanced once again, making their presences felt on the global stage.
Stand outs were once again Izzi Gomez (Starboard), but also the newcomer Tarryn Kyte from South Africa and Fiona Wylde from Oregon, who despite an inteference still won her heat with some impressive surfing.
Meanwhile Aline Adisaka (New Advance) put on a valiant performance to advance on to the Quarterfinals, tweaking her existing knee injury threatening her continuation on in the contest. However, after an afternoon of icing and elevation, it looks as though Aline will be back in action tomorrow at Huntington Beach as the Women’s Quarterfinals will kick off bright and early at 7am PST.
Watch the girls LIVE tomorrow at www.watermanleague.com
Round 3 of the Men’s sees impressive performances across the board
Round 3 was full of dramatic battles as Top Seeds continued their charge, led by a flawless opening heat by Current Ratings leader Caio Vaz (Art in Surf), who notched up one of the highest single wave scores and combined heat totals of the event so far.
But the action did not stop there, with stand out performances also coming from Kai Bates (Fanatic), who completed one of the more radical turns of the day and clearly showed that he is a real threat on the Stand Up World Tour, but also Matheus Salazar, brother of 2012 World Champion Leco, continuing the Salazar surfing Legacy.
Mattheus made it through to the Quarterfinals, so make sure to tune in LIVE tomorrow to watch him, his fellow Brazilians Caio and Ian, but also the remainder of th World’s best still in contention here as we prepare for Day 4 of the 2014 Huntington Beach Pro Grand slam, presented by Starboard.
You can watch it all go down LIVE from 7am PST at www.watermanleague.com
The drama intensifies in Round 4 as athletes put it all on the line for the win
Drama was the name of the game in Round 4, as major upsets, stand out performances and nail biting buzzer beaters brought the spectators to their feet as the World’s best put it all on the line when it counted here at the 2014 Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam.
The first stand out performance came from Bernd Roediger from Maui, who strung together a series of phenomenal rides to take the win in his heat, followed by the current World Rankings leader, Caio Vaz (Art in Surf).
Ian Vaz (Art in Surf) was the next stand out as mentioned above, followed by another impressive showing by the young phenom from Tahiti, Poenaiki Raioha (F-One), who advanced onto the quarterfinals where he will mee Bernd Roediger in what will be a dramatic showdown.
However, the most dramatic moment of the day came in heat 3, where we saw Zane Schweitzer (Starboard) and Kai Lenny (Naish) trailing in 3rd and 4th respectively until the last 10 seconds of the event….out of nowehere a set came, as Zane secured a better wave to boost him into second place in the heat, but Kai Lenny, with just 5 seconds to go, locked in an 8.5, to move him from 4th to first place, as both Maui boys secured their places in the Quarterfinals. An emotional moment for Maui, as their two representatives pulled themselves out of an impossible situation, just when it mattered.
Watch them both back in action tomorrow in the quarterfinals LIVE at www.watermanleague.com
Photo of the day sees Leco Salazar cranking into a closing section in front of the Pier
Leco Salazar (New Advance) put on a stellar performance in Round 3, but couldn’t find the back up score he needed in Round 4 to secure his place in the quarterfinals, despite posting an 8.27 early on the heat.
Despite going down in Round 4, the 2012 World Champion was able to wow the crowds with some of the most fluid surfing of the event, here showcasing precision surfing in front of the Pier.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s shot of the day from the culmination of the Stand Up World Tour event here at Huntington Beach Pro as it all comes down to the wire and the Title Race intensifies. Join us LIVE at www.watermanleague.com
Join us tomorrow live from Huntington Beach from 6:50am at watermanleague.com
As we come down to the business end of the competition, tension is mounting here in Huntington Beach as we have some incredible quartfinal match ups kicking off bright and early tomorrow at 7am PST. Here is the provisional schedule of events, conditions allowing:
- 6:50am: the Starboard Morning Show
- 7am: Women’s Quarterfinals
- 8:20am: Men’s Quarterfinals
- 9:40am: Women’s Semifinals
- 10:20am: Men’s Semifinals
- 11:15am: Women’s Finals
- 12pm: Men’s Finals
Make sure to join us LIVE from Huntington Beach, 6:50am PST at www.watermanleague.com
0 Responses to “Dramatic action at Day 3 of the Huntington Beach Pro sees performance levels sky rocket”