Jeremy Flores (FRA), 25, earned the day’s high scores at Saquarema.
SAQUAREMA, Rio de Janeiro / Brazil (Friday, May, 24, 2013) - After having to face extreme conditions yesterday, surfers were met with waves in the 4-6 foot (1.5-2 meters) range and light winds throughout the day at Itauna Beach for the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola. Despite the decrease in size, the athletes kept on pumping out high scores as the higher seeds continued to qualify into the later rounds.
Last years event winner, Matt Wilkinson (AUS), guaranteed a spot into the Round of 16 with his victory today while fellow WCT surfer Jeremy Flores (FRA) also advanced while receiving an 18.30 (out of a possible 20) for the highest heat-wave total of the day.
“The conditions have completely changed since yesterday,” said Jeremy Flores. “I’m happy to be doing well in the last couple of contests and I feel confident for the next heats.”
Brett Simpson (USA), who has become familiar with the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime, also qualified into the Round of 16 and praised the conditions at Itauna Beach.
“It’s my fourth time here at Saquarema and in my opinion it has the best and most consistent waves in Brazil,” stated Brett Simpson. “The waves are perfect. I just came up from the WCT because I like to compete and I knew I could get some important points in the ranking if I did well here.”
Mitchel Coleborn (AUS), who has been near qualification for the WCT in the past years, looked ready to take his place as an elite surfer with his performance today.
“All I know is that I need to get good results to make it onto the WCT and that’s all I’m really after,” said Mitchel Coleborn. “It was a good heat and the waves are always good here at Saquarema. It’s going to get tougher now with the man-on-man heats, but I feel confident enough to get to the final here.”
Another surfer who has been on the WCT and hopes to climb back into the elite rankings is Jadson Andre (BRA). Andre was victorious today and will face fellow Brazilian and ex-WCT athlete, Bernardo Miranda (BRA).
“Since it’s the only Prime event in Brazil, I’m stoked to make it into the Round of 16,” said Jadson Andre. “It’s a very important contest for me and I’m focused on winning some more heats and hopefully winning it here.”
An 8am (local time) call is set for tomorrow (Saturday) where Gabriel Villaran (PER) and Sebastian Zietz (HAW) will face off in their Round of 24 duel.
The Quiksilver Saquarema Prime presented by Coca-Cola is produced by Adding Sports and sponsored by the State of Rio de Janeiro, Peugeot and the City of Saquarema. With additional support provided by the Peugeot Montreal Dealership, CCS Via Lagos, the Rio de Janeiro State Surfing Federation (FESERJ), and the Brazilian Association of Surfing Professionals (ABRASP). The event is approved by the ASP South America as the second ASP Prime event of 2013 and will be transmitted live on the internet: www.quiksilver.com.br/primesaquarema13
REMAINING QUIKSILVER SAQUAREMA ROUND OF 24 MATCH UPS:
Heat 5: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Gabriel Villaran (PER) Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Glenn Hall (IRL) Heat 7: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Marc Lacomare (FRA) Heat 8: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Dale Staples (ZAF)
