Another spectacular day of action at the 2014 La Torche Pro, as the Title Race intensifies & U16 Champion is crowned
The Title Race intensifies as both Kai Lenny & Caio Vaz continue onto the Quarterfinals
Another amazing day here at the 2014 La Torche Pro France as we get a few steps closer to crowning the 2014 World Champion after what has been an epic year of competition.
The battle between Kai Lenny (Naish) from Hawaii and Caio Vaz (Art in Surf) from Brazil is only intensifying as both athletes made it through to the Quarterfinals today with epic performances.
Kai started off the day with a strong performance in Round 3 Heat 1 posting one of the highest heat score totals of the event. However, Caio then answered back by a victory in his 3rd round heat to move on.
Round 4 started with plenty of drama and action, as Kai took to the air a few times, but needed a complete to secure the scores he needed to advance, eventually posting enough to make it through to the Quarterfinals. While Caio managed to string together 2 excellent rides and one of the highest heat score totals of the event, with a 17.17 overall heat score.
If they both continue their charges, they won’t meet until the Final, and this will determine the World Championship Crown. If either of them don’t make the final and the other does, this will have serious repercussions for the World Title.
Make sure to check out the highlights from today and stay glued to the LIVE broadcast as we close this dramatic season in style here at the 2014 La Torche Pro France. Next call will be at 8am CET as we wait to see what Pointe de la Torche will have in store for us in the morning.
Check out highlights from today’s action by going to:
http://youtu.be/ahG1EzZe_Gg?list=UUmt4LthpGLlT6eSwZdXSlJg
Team Starboard fire all cylinders on Day 4 of the 2014 La Torche Pro France
It was a great day for the Starboard International Team, as we saw Sean Poynter (Starboard) from the USA come to life in Round 3, posting one of the highest scores of the event, with 2 scores in the upper excellent range. Going to work on his backhand, he found the waves he needed to advance into Round 4, and then again in the quarterfinals where he will come up against the on form Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) in Quarterfinal number 2.
Meanwhile fellow teammate Zane Schweitzer (Starboard) put together a couple of strong heats, wowing the judges with his performance riding to make his way through to the quarterfinals where he will come up against Title contender Caio Vaz (Art in Surf) in what will be a pivotal man on man heat.
Make sure to check in tomorrow morning at 8am CET for the call that will be posted on Facebook, as we will see whether tomorrow is the day for culmination of this incredible and historic event here in Finistere at la Pointe de la Torche. Stay with us at www.watermanleague.com
The young guns battle it out and push each other to the max in Round 4
Mo Freitas (Focus SUP) and Poenaiki Raioha (F-One) are without doubt the stars of the future and continue to set new boundaries for the sport. As a result, to see them match up in heat one of Round 4, and alongside 3x World Champion Kai Lenny (Naish) and powerhouse Beau Nixon (Naish) made for an incredibly exciting show.
Poenaiki gained momentum through the heat, posting the single highest score of the exchange with a radical backhand attack. Meanwhile, Mo remained consistent, posting a couple of medium range scores as he searched for something bigger.
The drama came when they both paddled for the same wave, with Poenaiki going left and Mo right, on a predominant righthand wave, with Poenaiki dropping in in front of Mo, impeding his performance potential on the wave. A unanimous inteference was called, meaning that Poenaiki, who was leading the heat up until that point, slipped back to 4th, with his second wave score being cut in half as a penalty.
An extremely dissapointing finish for Poenaiki, but a lucky break for Mo, as he advances onto meet Sean Poynter in quarterfinal number 2. There is no doubt that both of these incredible young talents are already and will only continue to grow as leading forces here on the Stand Up World Tour and there is no doubt that there will be many a battle between the two for the years to come as they lead the new generation in the sport.
Watch Mo in action as we progress into the quarterfinal stage when competition resumes at www.watermanleague.com
The Women’s Competition gets underway today with Round 1 & Repechage complete
The Women’s competition got underway today with some great action in ideal conditions coming from all athletes here at the 2014 La Torche Pro France.
2014 World Champion Izzi Gomez (Starboard) had a shaky start, but pulled it back in the closing stages of the heat to take the win in her first round heat, followed closely by the French favorite, Caroline Angibaud.
Meanwhile in heat number 2, it was Sophia Tiare Bartlow who had the edge, putting on a solid performance to take the win and advance directly to Round 3 along with the newcomer from South Africa, Roxy Davis (Starboard).
In the Repechage, it was Maili Tahar who fought back to earn her place in Round 3 along with Tinina Etienne, sister of the young phenom Leo Paul, as the Etienne family have lots to celebrate here at the 2014 La Torche Pro France.
Make sure to check out the highlights and join us LIVE when competition resumes right here at www.watermanleague.com
Leo Paul Etienne wins the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge in epic conditions
It was an exciting day for the sport today as the stars of the future took to the water for the quarters, semis and finals of the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge. With a solid fleet of young talents assembled from all four corners of the world, it was one of the more impressive collections of future stars that we have ever witnessed, with a battle to the end for our contenders in epic conditions.
As expected it all came down to the final heat, and a serious battle between Leo Paul Etienne from Guadeloupe and Camille Bouyer (Naish) from right here in France, joined by Nicolas Walker from Australia and Christian Andersen (Fanatic) from Denmark to decide who will be crowned the Na Kama Kai Champion for this year’s event.
In the end, it was Leo Paul’s day, and while he was disappointed to get knocked out of the Main event in Round 3, he has to be happy with an amazing and well deserved victory here at this Na Kama Kai Challenge.
Make sure to watch the highlights from this unique and mind blowing event, that echoes so wholeheartedly the principles set in motion by Na Kama Kai’s Founder Duane DeSoto, at www.watermanleague.com
Next call will be at 8am CET tomorrow, as we evaluate conditions for a possible start
So after 3 full days of incredible action here at the 2014 La Torche Pro France, we await to see what conditions will greet us in the morning tomorrow, as we will make a call at 8am CET for both Women’s and Men’s divisions.
With a window tomorrow, but also for Saturday, with a significant, long period swell forecast, we will update on the Stand Up World Tour Facebook as soon as the decision has been taken and schedule released.
So make sure to check out the highlights from today and the past few days, as well as joining us LIVE when competition resumes at www.watermanleague.com
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