World-Class Talent Performs in Constantly Changing Conditions at Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua
Day 4 of the 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games featured male and female Main Event and Repechage Rounds. Surfers continue to surf hard representing their nations while the field of medal contenders narrowed.
Twenty-four international athletes were eliminated from competition in the constantly changing conditions that ranged from perfect offshore wind in the morning, to heavy rainsqualls in the afternoon.
Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle took advantage of the morning offshore wind and posted the highest heat score of the day for the women division. McGonagle scored 16.27 in her heat victory, and moved one step closer to the Women’s Final.
“I am super stoked to have made that heat! The waves were super fun,” commented Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle. “I love this event because the teams are so supportive of one another. I really feel like my team is always on the beach screaming. We’re like family.”
The Men’s Main Event Round 3 was stacked full of talent, and inevitably forced some top athletes down into the Repechage Round. USA’s Damien Hobgood and Ian Crane, Costa Rica’s Carlos Muñoz and Peru’s Miguel Tudela are among the men that will have to pursue a Gold Medal via the Repechage Round, the longest way to Gold.
Among the surfers that competed in the third Repechage Round were brothers Dylan and Travis Southworth from Team Mexico. Travis was unable to advance, but his job as a team member is not over. He will stay to support Team Mexico and his brother Dylan, who won his heat and advanced to the next round.
“It was tough conditions, the one day it’s not offshore,” stated Dylan. “We did what we could. Repechage Rounds are tough, and the next round will be tougher. There are a lot of strong competitors, but I’m ready with my team’s support.”
With the final three days approaching, the competition is shaping up to be one of the most challenging ISA World Surfing Games in history. Both Main Event and Repechage heats will be action-packed with guaranteed larger waves arriving.
“Despite stormy conditions, the size of the surf continued to grow and the athletes proved they could handle anything with the support of their national teams,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The camaraderie is at an all-time high, and so is the level of competition. I’m so stoked to be here.”
For a full list of the day’s results, visit — http://isawsg.com/results/
The live webcast of the fifth day of competition will begin at 8:00am local time.
Friday, 8:00am Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua
Friday, 7:00am Los Angeles, USA
Friday, 11:00am Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Friday, 4:00pm Paris, France
Saturday, 12:00am Sydney, Australia
Tune into the live webcast here — http://isawsg.com/live/
