First day of Surf-Freestyle contest in Brazil studded with crazy new tricks
GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil 2024
26–30 November, 2024 | Jericoacoara, Brazil
The opening day of Surf-Freestyle action at the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil in the legendary spot of Jericoacoara saw fireworks, with the early exit of big names and a ‘world first’ trick pulled off in competition.
Former Surf-Freestyle world champion, France’s Malo Guénolé, was sent out even before the quarter-finals, in round three. The Frenchman was competing in a Surf-Freestyle contest for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in competition.
Guénolé fell victim to a pair of 17-year-old team-mates, Tomas Acherer (AUT) and Charlie Loch (GBR), who advanced in the heat. Acherer landed a ‘world first’, a Backflip Backside 3 for 9.63 points from 10, that did much of the damage.
“It was pretty amazing,” said Archerer, as world champion Chris MacDonald came to congratulate him. “It felt good. I landed my first tricks and it was a good start. Then some big kickers came and I landed the ‘world first’. I started doing them after the comp in Tarifa and now I’ve got them on lock.”
Spain’s Mar de Arce got in on the act with a huge Frontflip that the judges loved and gave a 9.53 points that was the highest of the day in the women’s competition, also giving her the biggest heat total.
Set the running
“I was stoked just to land it because I was jumping on the way in [without kickers], so that’s the hardest,” said De Arce. “I managed to land it on the board, so I’m really happy. I’ve been in Brazil for 10 days and the conditions have been really good for training.”
The fourth day of the GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil saw the action switch from FreeFly-Slalom, where the world champions had been crowned, to Surf-Freestyle. Brazil is the fourth and final stop in Surf-Freestyle discipline.
France’s Bastien Escofet set the running early when he launched a massive Frontside 10 for 9.47, that was the day’s highest score for a good part of the day. But that was the highpoint of a spotty heat and he was edged out by countryman Clément Hamon.
By round four things were getting serious, with two from the four-rider heats facing elimination. Escofet was going big again and raced to the win to advance, with the Brazilian, Vinnicius Martins, easing through in second place.
“I had a good heat, but this last year I’ve not been practising Surf-Freestyle much,” said Martins. “But I’m 25 minutes from my house, so I thought I should take part. It’s really cool to see the level from so close; to be on the water with these young guys.”
Romped to the win
In another round four heat Nathan Berger (ESP) came out just ahead to take the win, with Germany’s Benjamin May (GER) also advancing at the expense of Xavi Corr (ESP).
Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo, the newly-crowned FreeFly-Slalom world champion, kept his hopes alive when he won his fourth round heat, advancing along with Leo Suardiaz, the younger brother of world champion, Nia Suardiaz.
The first quarter-final saw Clément Hamon again on the tear. His 9.0 for a Backmobe was one of the day’s bigger scores and he romped to the win. Charlie Loch’s 8.4 for his Backmobe was enough to take him to the semi-final as well.
In the women’s competition Austria’s Zoe Schonwetter and Viola Lippitsch booked their places in the semi-finals, along with Mar de Arce and Paloma Gutierrez (ARG). The battle for the remaining semi-final places will be fought out early on the closing day of competition.
Join us here for all the closing action.
words: Ian MacKinnon
images: Svetlana Romantsova
Spot Info
Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara offers great conditions for the wingfoilers. Small wind-swell waves curl around the point, where the wind is cross-shore to cross-offshore. The winds are constant and on all day from August to November. The winds are cross-onshore from the right, but Jeri town it tends to be offshore and gusty, with flat waters.
Weather
November is the driest month in Jeri. The air temperature during day can be between 32°C, the highest temperatures, and the lowest of 24°C. The water temperature of the sea is around 20-25°C, so nothing more than a summer shorty is required. Sunrise is at about 05.30 and sunset is 17.30.
Wind
Easterly winds blow cross-shore to offshore in Jericoacoara, between 20–30 knots, or more. You can find the most accurate online wind forecasts on Windguru.
Event information
- Location: Jericoacoara, Brazil
- Dates: 26-30 November, 2024
- All event information here.
Find everything about GWA Wingfoil World Cup Brazil by clicking event news.
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Liveticker will be updated throughout the day. An event highlight video will be published immediately after the event. Written reports will be posted to the website at the end of the competition day.
