Strong winds meant day 1 of the 5th event of the World Tour was placed on hold but the forecast looks favourable with a big swell running and winds expected to ease off.
With 1500 points up for grabs at one of the Premier venues on the IBA World Mens Tour, many of the front runners have made the trip out to Arica in Chile with hopes of World Tour glory. South Africa's Mark McCarthy, fresh off a 3rd place in Australia, only arrived in town yesterday after having difficulty securing a flight that ended up costing him top dollar. Without the luxury of a few practice sessions, Mark took full advantage of the free surf day while spectators were treated to an all-star show with the likes of tour leader Uri Valadao, defending champ Ben Player and ex World Champs Guilherme Tamega, Mike Stewart & Jeff Hubbard and many more high profile bodyboarders taking to the water.
The heat sheets have been posted to the contest webcast www.beachbyte.com.br/eventos/bbarica08/. South Africa is represented by Jake Rosenberg in Heat 5, Round 1 and Darren Halse Heat 4, Round 1 with McCarthy seeded to Heat 2, Round 3 where he faces Jeff Hubbard of Hawaii.
