DAY SEVEN RESULTS: THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES
Tight Race for the Gold with Power Countries Australia, Brazil and USA in Top Three Positions
Huntington Beach, Calif., October 21, 2006 Day seven was met with glassy head high to overhead conditions as the heats narrowed the field of the remaining 56 athletes who weathered nine days of action packed surfing, perfect weather and jubilant support of their teammates all in the race to garner a gold, silver, bronze, and copper medal. At the days end, Australia leads the pack in first place, with Brazil narrowly following them and Team USA in third.The Open Division saw some of the best surfers in the world with power countries Brazil, Australia and USA in a wave to wave mêlée culminating with Alejo Muniz (13.73) of Brazil 16 year old ISA Junior World champion Under 16 taking first over Damien Hobgood and Gavin Gillette of Hawaii. Pat OConnell took second in the heat with a combined 13.60. Australias Luke Stedman will also advance after posting a 16.63 after grabbing a long ride in the last 8 minutes of the heat.
It was a tight race in every heat of the Mens Repercharge with a double interference called on Gilbert Brown of Costa Rica and Julian Wilson of Australia early in the heat. Australias Tom Whittaker and Jordy Smith of South Africa heated things up with a paddle battle in Heat 1 for two waves with Whittaker posting a 7.1 shooting him from third to first place and igniting his team into applause onshore. Both Whitaker and Smith will move on to the final Repercharge heat where they will face Jadson Andre of France and Gavin Gillette of Hawaii.
Today was a really important day for the Games. I got some really fun waves, but I definitely felt some added pressure to do well because I was surfing for my team, said Whittaker.
One of the most anticipated heats of the day matched Team USA surfers Julia Christian and 13 year-old Courtney Conlogue with Hawaiis Bethany Hamilton in the Womens Open division. With some great backhand snaps it was USA team anchors Christian and Conologue advancing leaving Hamilton behind with a standing ovation on the beach for her tremendous dedication to the sport. USA team womens surfers will meet Brazils Jacqueline Silva and Rosanee Hodges of South Africa who all stand a strong chance of gleaming gold medals at the approaching awards ceremony. We have had great waves and weather all week, but tomorrow is where the plot thickens to see if we get through, commented newly elected ISA Vice President and Surfing America executive director Mike Gerard.
Teammates Nichola Atherton and Jessie Miley Dyer of Australia will both surf in the Repercharge tomorrow after defeating Diane de Souza of Brazil and Tamlynne Smith who will sit in 7th and 8th place respectively.
In Longboard Repercharge Phil Rajzman of Brazil advanced with his remarkable top turn combinations, and will meet Colin Mc Phillips of USA who has been consistently impressing judges with his fluid style throughout the week.
The day wound down with the ISA Nations Cup tag team event, a unique ISA tradition where the top eight countries compete for first through fourth place medals. Although this event has no bearing on the team world championship results it is a fun aside to the contest that shows a different surfing format and give teams another chance at medals. Each team has the option to catch three waves, and claim their two highest toward their team score. The ISA Nations Cup will also be contested tomorrow by between semi winners Australia, Costa Rica, Brazil and South Africa.
The gripping Finals of the nine day competition will commence tomorrow at 7 a.m. with 30 remaining surfers fighting the gold, silver, and bronze team and individual medals. With a team of seven athletes Australia will compete against Brazils six remaining athletes, with USA closely behind with four surfer. After the front runners, South Africa has been left with three athletes, followed by Spain, Portugal and France with two, and Hawaii, Japan, Great Britain, Puerto Rico who have one remaining athlete in the competition for individual medals.
The Closing Ceremonies will begin immediately following the Mens Final Heat to the North side of the Pier at 2:15 p.m. Also, the coveted IOC Presidents trophy will be presented to the Team Champion by ISA President Fernando Aguerre who said What a great way of celebrating surfing and our hopes for a peaceful world; 33 nations spending 12 days together enjoying life together in true Olympic spirit.
LIVE VIDEO WEBCAST AND SCORING:
Fans worldwide can check out the action from with live scoring and a live webcast available daily at www.isasurf.org or www.surfingamerica.org/isa.
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About International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964, and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected five times since. The ISA’s four Vice Presidents are from South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and the USA.
About Surfing America
Surfing America is the ISA-recognized National Governing Body (NGB) for surfing in the United States and is responsible for holding the official USA Championships and for selecting and fielding the official USA Surf Team. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding, and surfriding.
Surfing America, Inc. is an IRS recognized 501(c) 3 charitable organization. All donations made to Surfing America are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law. Donation checks should be made payable to: Surfing America, 33157 Camino Capistrano, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. End of year tax receipts are sent to every individual donor of more than $250. For donations under $250, a cancelled check or credit card statement is sufficient evidence for IRS purposes. Surfing America will send a tax receipt to any donor who requests one.
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