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An exciting schedule almost entirely dedicated to the ISA Aloha Cup, a specialty tag team competition in which nations go head-to-head in two 60 minute heats and a final, took place today in Playa Venao’s glassy two-to-three feet waves. Brazil won the competition, leaving the team in high spirits for tomorrow, the final day of the event.

The winning team included Diego Michereff, Ian Gouveia, Michael Rodrigues, RudáCarvalho and Silvana Lima. They achieved a combined score of 78.67.

Brazil outscored Australia, who achieved a combined score of 68.34, Peru with 66.32 and South Africa with 57.76. 

Team Brazil excelled today in the Aloha Cup, winning by a wide margin over Australia, Peru and South Africa in the final. Photo: ISA/Rommel

“Our job was keeping the team together and make them understand the responsibility they had today,” said Brazilian Coach, Otoney Xavier. “Each one of them is here representing Brazil and its people, so we must give our best in every situation. I want to thank the ISA, for the organization of championships that give us the opportunity to represent our countries, and Fernando Aguerre, ISA President; a person who is on top of everything that has to do with surfing”.

Rudá Carvalho was the team MVP today, coming through with a score of 9.33 that handed the victory to Brazil. “I needed a major score because I fell on the first wave,” said Carvalho. “I saw a good wave, but a South African was better positioned to take it. I paddled with all my strength, and I passed him and caught the wave. I knew I had to do something important. The first maneuver was good, the second normal but I finished it with a really good aerial that broke my board when I landed. The important thing is that Brazil won the Aloha Cup and tomorrow we will be World Champions.”

The Silver Medal team of Australia included Thomas Woods, Drew Courtney, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Harley Ingelby and Mick Campbell. 

Aussie surfer Harley Ingelby Photo: ISA/Watts

Peru, winners of the Bronze Medal, consisted of top young talents Carlos Mario Zapata, Miguel Tudela, Juninho Urcia, Martín Jeri and former ISA World Champion Sofía Mulanovich.

South Africa, the Copper Medalists, consisted of Klee Strachan, Matthew Bromley, Nikita Robb, Llewellyn Wittaker and Gavin Roberts.

The earlier semifinals had the following results:

Semifinal 1: 1^st Brazil – 76.83 points, 2^nd Peru – 75.13 points, 3^rd Tahiti – 67.93 points and 4^th Panama – 42.89
Semifinal 2: 1^st Australia - 74.06, 2^nd South Africa – 63.30, 3^rd USA – 62.94 and 4^th New Zealand  - 60.61

The day's competition began with heat 2 of Women’s Repechage Round 6, which was suspended yesterday due to the tropical storm that hit Playa Venao. Alizèe Arnaud (FRA) won the heat, leaving yesterday’s standout Silvana Lima (BRA) in second and Tanika Hoffman (RSA) in third.

“I’m a little disappointed to be in the Repechage rounds because it is harder to get into the Grand Final,” said Arnaud. I’m just taking it heat by heat. I don’t care about winning the World Title for myself—what I really want is to make points for my team and help France in the event.”

Alizeé Arnaud from France. Photo: ISA/Rommel

Arnaud and Lima will now face Paige Hareb (NZL) and Nikita Robb (RSA) in Repechage Round 7, which is two steps away from the Grand Final.

This result changed the Team Standings. The top five countries are:
1- Australia 17280 points
2- Brazil 15286 points
3- France 13640 points
4- Venezuela 12010 points
5- Peru 11750 points

As the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games come to a close tomorrow, history will once again be written by the world's best surfers.

Follow the event on www.billabongisawsg.com

Watch the event LIVE WEBCAST beginning at 8:00 a.m. (local time), 6:00 a.m. (US PDT), 9:00 a.m. (US EDT) and 11:00 p.m. (Australian EST).