Sensational Semifinals, Finals to Climax on Sunday for 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games.
The 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games presented by Lafise and Claro kicked-off an exciting weekend of competition finals on Saturday. Outstanding matchups took place in the Repechage Rounds, before the ISA Aloha Cup closed out the day of nation-oriented camaraderie.
The entire day was full of impressive action, but the best matchups took place in the Repechage Rounds. Carlos Muñoz captured three Repechage heat advancements, two of which he won outright with scores in the nine-point range and the best air reverse of the event.
“I am super stoked and happy to make it through, we need the points. The race for the title is getting harder and harder for us,” voiced Muñoz. “My strategy to reach the final is to save energy, relax, use the spirit of the team and keep having fun. It’s just Surfing. Pura Vida!”
In the first heat of the Women’s Repechage Round 6, New Zealand’s Paige Hareb notched the first 10-point ride of the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games en route to her heat victory. Still, it was Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle that stole the attention of the day defeating 2014 Gold and Bronze Medalists Anali Gomez (PER) and Philippa Anderson (AUS).
“I’m feeling great,” expressed McGonagle. “In the heat before I had a bit of a tough time. I wasn’t really hitting the lip in the pockets, so I just regrouped and tried my best out there. Pura Vida! Let’s go Costa Rica.”
In their individual heats, the Costa Ricans proved to be extremely tough to beat. Later, they came together with fellow teammates Anthony Fillingam and Noe Mar McGonagle to dominate the ISA Aloha Cup. With a score of 50.17 and more than nine minutes to spare, Team Costa Rica won the Gold Medal.
The rest of the ISA Aloha Cup podium resulted in Team Peru taking Silver, Team Australia earning the Bronze and Team Argentina getting the Copper.
“What a final! The ISA Aloha Cup is absolutely amazing because it offers an opportunity for surfing to unite a nation and compete with pride. That is what the ISA World Surfing Games are all about — honoring the sport while honoring your country,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.
“Tomorrow the world will witness the semifinals and finals for the men and women divisions,” continued Aguerre. “More than individual Gold Medals, a new Team Champion will be decided and one nation will be recognized as the strongest team in the world. I know it will be fantastic.”
For a full list of the day’s results, visit — http://isawsg.com/results/
The live webcast of the final day of competition will begin at 10:00am local time.
Sunday, 10:00am Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua
Sunday, 9:00am Los Angeles, USA
Sunday, 1:00pm Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sunday, 6:00pm Paris, France
Monday, 2:00am Sydney, Australia
Tune into the live webcast here — http://isawsg.com/live/
