Sintra Pro - Day 4 - McCarthy through to final
Source: www.ibaworldtour.com
posted by Terry McKenna on 25th August 2007
Despite overcast conditions and a few passing showers a large crowd rolled into Praia Grande for what was arguably one of the greatest showdowns on the 2007 WMT.
The surf was amazing! Only small but barrelling its nut off and offering some dazzling opportunities for the quarter finalists to show off their style.
The day started with the Women's quarters and it was evident from the word go that they meant business.
In the first Eunate Aguirre (SPN) got in a last minute spin roll combo to leap frog Mandy Zieren (AUS) and Catarina Sousa leaving Kira Llewellyn (AUS) in 4th.
Q2 and the lead in this heat se-sawed constantly until the Brazilian duo of Mayla Venturin and Karla Costa-Taylor sealed victory with a solid finish leaving Moe Watanabe (JPN) & Nueza Mochacho (POR) eliminated.
In the third quarter things heated up when a perfect 10 point ride was awarded to Soria Rocha (BRZ) for a series of air rolls that had the gallery hooting. Fellow Brazilian Isabela Sousa did enough for second and piped Joana Schenker (GER) & Natasha Sagordia (PRC) for a spot on the semi's.
The last of the girl's quarters was a pleasure to watch. The level of Pro women's bodyboarding was continuously pushed as Aoi Koike (JPN) and Neymara Carvahlo (BRZ) finished first and second ahead of Lilly Pollard (AUS) and Marta Fernandes (POR). Lilly fell painfully short when she needed a 9 and received a 8.75 on her final ride.
The girls had set a fine standard as they passed the baton to the boys.
In the first of the Men's quarters Ben Player (AUS) set an early pace with a perfect 10 from the judges for a deep tube and invert. He backed it up with another 8 and looked unbeatable until Diego Cabrera (SPN) posted a pair of 9 point something and finished ahead of the former world Champ " I just surfed one of the best heats of my life and I still came second!!" said a bewildered Player. Portuguese riders Silvano Lorenco and Jaime Jesus finish 3rd & 4th.
Quarter 2 saw all four riders going wave for wave in a tight affair but the Brazilian duo of Luis Villar & Uri Valadao go one two and Portugal's Manuel Centeno & Helio Conde three four.
Quarter 3. South Africa's Mark McCarthy finds the form that took him to second in Australia by sneaking ahead of the Australian duo of John Showell and Andrew Lester. Magno Oliveria (BRZ) blitzed his way to victory in a heat that changed the lead about 4-5 times.
Quarter 4 and Amaury Laverne's (REUN) Euro run came to an end when he finished fourth behind Yeray Martinez (SPN) Gastao Entrudo (POR) and Oliver Herrera (SPN).
With a large crowd and epic waves organizers decided to continue with the semi finals.
Semi 1 of the Ladies and with an incoming tide the swell backed off a tad and became less consistent. This meant that you had to consolidate on the sets when you got one. It was super close all the way but Mayla Venturin (BRZ) and Mandy Zieren (AUS) held off a determined Karla Costa-Taylor (BRZ) and Enuate Aguirre (SPN) to be the first riders in Sintra to score a finals berth. "I was coming fourth for most of the heat and a last minute wave got me through. The waves are so fun, it's actually like surfing my home beach at Avalon" said the stoked Aussie with a smile.
In the second Neymara Carvalho (BRZ) was on a mission. Her unwavering approach to make the final and secure some valuable points towards the title was evident from the outset. Fellow Brazilian Soria Rocha finished second and just piped Japans Aoi Kioke & Isabela Sousa (BRZ)
The women finalists had been decided.
Mayla Venturin (BRZ)
Mandy Zieren (AUS)
Naymara Carvalho (BRZ)
Soria Rocha (BRZ)
Men's semi 1 was a cracking affair with Uri Valadao & Luis Villar both from Brazil doing enough to dispose of Ben Player (AUS) and Deigo Cabrera (SPN).
In the last heat of the day Mark McCarthy (SAF) dominated the tubing rights to finish first with Magno Oliveria (BRZ) second. Oliver Herrera (SPN) was third and Gastao Entrudo (POR) forth.
Tomorrow will see an absorbing battle between the four most consistent riders of this five day festival of bodyboarding.
Uri Valadao (BRZ)
Luis Villar (BRZ)
Magno Oliveria (BRZ)
Mark McCarthy (SAF)
When the dust settled the two finals had been decided and along with a World Tag Team Challenge and Expression session will be the highlight of the final day in Sintra.
The event is being webcast at
www.surfingportugal.com
The Sintra Portugal Pro is not only the longest running Professional Bodyboard event in the world but it's also the richest.
The SINTRA PORTUGAL PRO 2007 counts on the supports of the City council of Sintra, of the Super Bock, the TMN, the Vitalis, the Wave, the Isuzo, the IDP - Institute of the Sport of Portugal, of the APB - Portuguese Association of Bodyboard, of the IBA - International Bodyboarding Association, of Extreme Sports Channel, the Action Waves, the Targus, the ViewSonic, the B2BR, backfliponline.com, the Bodyboard Center and Mega FM.
www.ibatour.com
www.sintraportugalpro2007.blogspot.com
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