Uri Valadao & Lilly Pollard win Confital
Source: www.ibaworldtour.com
posted by Terry McKenna on 7th December 2007
Brazilian Bodyboarder Uri Valadao has won the last event of 2007 by defeating Australian Ben Player in the 30 minute final.
Uri defeated the new world champion with an amazing display of athleticism by busting out of the gates with a 9 point ride in the opening seconds. He then back it up with a deep tube, roll, back flip combo that netted a 9.5.
Ben player never really got his rhythm and had to settle for a second.
"It's hard to beat someone when they are on a roll like that. Nothings impossible when you are have a memorable heat" said Player who was stoked with his first goal of securing the World title.
Uri now has the distinguishing reputation as the first rider to defeat the new champ.
"Wow ... I am so happy", said the humble Brazilian.
In the Women's final Australia's Lilly Pollard also notched up a 9.5 and then backed it up with a 6.5 to walk away with the winner's cheque.
"Thanks to the locals for letting us use this amazing wave. This has been the best contest ever" said the smiling Pollard.
Brazil's Mayla Venturin looked like the rider to beat all week but struggled in the 30 minute final and finshed with a 7.5 & 6.0.
To complement the show a World Tag team event was run and the "World" Team consisting of Mike Steawrt (USAH), Dave Hubbard (USAH), Mark McCarthy (ZFA) and Paloma Freyggang (Chile) was victorious and the region's best DK riders blitzed an exhibition for the massive crowd on the beach.
Overall it was a fitting end to a great year of professional Bodyboarding and with extra events to be added to the IBA tour 2008 looks like being remembered as the year that Bodyboarding came back with an iron fist.
Muchas gracias to Roberto from Maldito Rodriguez for putting on one of the slickest shows in the history of the sport. The IBA are now working with this marketing company to develop the sport further in Europe and beyond.
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