USA CLAIMS DOUBLE GOLD IN SUP SURFING AT ISA WORLD SUP CHAMPIONSHIP

by Chris Couve | May 16, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing

15-Year-Old Izzi Gomez, 25-Year-Old Sean Poynter Showcase Youth Strength for Team USA at ISA World SUP Championships

For daily photos, video highlights and video news releases, click here – http://isawsuppc.com/media/

Team USA’s 15-year-old Izzi Gomez claimed the first ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medal of the day as well as valuable points for Team USA. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

The right-hand break of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico offered consistent surf for the final day of SUP Surfing as part of the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship presented by Hotel Kupuri.

As the women’s Repechage Rounds came to a close, the Final was set and included athletes from four different Nations. Joining the ISA newcomer, Izzi Gomez of Team USA and, 2013 Gold Medalist, Nicole Pacelli of Team Brazil were Spain’s Iballa Ruano and France’s Caroline Angibaud.

The experienced Pacelli looked incredibly strong coming into the Final Round, but it was Gomez that was the favorite regardless of this being her first-ever ISA World Championship.

Gomez wasted no time, and immediately earned wave scores of 7.27 and 5.93 for a total of 13.20. With more than 15 minutes left to go, the American had breathing room and reason to relax. For the rest of the heat the field was chasing her score, but in the end she would not be caught. Gomez won her first-ever ISA Gold Medal and valuable points for Team USA.

American Izzi Gomez came into the final as the favorite to win despite this being her first-ever ISA World Championship. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann

“I honestly cannot even believe it right now. I had a lot of nerves this week and was even sick, but with the help of my team I was able to pull through,” said the humble 15-year-old Gomez. “I couldn’t have done it without them. Just knowing that I was here competing for the USA, it gave me more drive and desire to win so I could have the best result for the team.”

On the Men’s side, local SUP surfer Felipe Hernandez of Team Mexico put on a show for the crowd during every heat throughout the day. During the last Repechage Round, with less than a minute to go, Hernandez nailed back-to-back aerials in a single wave. The crowd erupted into cheers as he solidified his place in the final.

Felipe Hernandez of Team Mexico had his local community erupt into cheers following two aerials on a single wave that earned him a spot in the Final Round. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann

In addition to Hernandez, the final was set with American Sean Poynter, the Tahitian Poenaiki Raioha and Frenchman Antoine Delpero.

Poynter opened the Final Round with two waves earning an 8.50 and 7.33, which put his competition into a combination situation. Being in a combination situation means that no single wave score would be enough to take the lead.

Sean Poynter put his competition into a combination situation early in the Final Round and ultimately earned the second Gold Medal for Team USA in SUP Surfing. Photo: ISA/Bielmann

It was not until the final minutes that a single score would drop high enough to have any affect on the situation. Poynter had won, and became the first two-time, male ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist.

“This smile says it all. I’m at a loss of words,” said an exhilarated Poynter. “I did the same thing as last year, dropping into the Repechage and doing five heats on the Final Day. My trainers had me fit and ready and I was able to withstand the amount of time and finish strong. I’m just so excited, so happy and thankful to the ISA, the Mexican Surfing Federation and the support of my team. It’s been such an awesome event.”

The beach had exploded with cheers. From chants of U-S-A, to the traditional Mexican chants, the spirit on the beach was that of true international comradery.

“Today’s ISA SUP Surfing World Championship was an event that will be remembered for years to come. The world-class level of competition made for a gripping final, keeping everyone excited until the very end,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We knew what the best days for waves were going to be, so we planned the surf competition accordingly.”

After being carried up the beach on the shoulders of their teammates, Mexico’s Felipe Hernandez (right) and USA’s Sean Poynter gave thanks to everyone in attendance and especially the host country. Viva la Mexico! Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

“What a final! Congratulations to Izzi Gomez and Sean Poynter from Team USA on winning the Gold Medals and making your country proud. That is what an ISA World Championship is all about — honoring the sport, honoring your country,” said Aguerre.

For the full results click here- http://isawsuppc.com/results/

Men’s ISA Worlds SUP Surfing Results:

Gold Medal- Sean Poynter (USA)

Siliver Medal- Poenaiki Raioha (TAH)

Bronze Medal- Felipe Hernandez (MEX)

Copper Medal- Antoine Delpero (FRA)

Women’s ISA Worlds SUP Surfing Results:

Gold Medal- Izzi Gomez (USA)

Silver Medal- Nicole Pacelli (BRA)

Bronze Medal- Iballa Ruano (SPA)

Copper Medal- Caroline Angibaud (FRA)

Tomorrow’s live webcast will begin with the Morning Show at 8:10am local time hosted by Beau Hodge, and will feature the newest ISA Gold Medalists Gomez and Poynter.

Saturday, 8:10am Mexico City, Mexico

Saturday, 6:10am Los Angeles, USA

Saturday, 3:10pm Paris, France

Saturday, 11:10pm Sydney, Australia

Tune into the live webcast here – http://isawsuppc.com/live/

Original Press release from ISA World Stand Up and Paddleboard Champs

SUP SURFING WORLD CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED IN SAYULITA, MEXICO FRIDAY

by Chris Couve | May 15, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing

Excellence in the Water Continued Thursday During Day 4 of 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri

ATTENTION MEDIA: For daily photos, video highlights and video news releases, click here – http://isawsuppc.com/media/

Brazil’s Nicole Pacelli, 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, advanced through the Main Event Round 3, which puts her in a position to reclaim the Gold Medal on Friday. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann

The 2015 Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing Gold Medalists will be decided Friday, May 15 as part of the ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship presented by Hotel Kupuri in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

Thursday’s SUP Surfing competition included Main Event as well as Repechage Rounds. The Repechage Rounds featured 32 men and 17 women, giving athletes a second chance to go for Gold rather being eliminated after losing in any single round.

Riki Horikoshi from Team Japan cracks the lip at full speed. Horikoshi surfed in today’s Repechage Rounds but will not to advance to tomorrow’s final. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann

Team Japan was in full support, waving flags and cheering for their team’s athletes in today’s Repechage Rounds. Photo: ISA/Brian Bielmann

Denmark’s Casper Steinfath has been doing battle in both SUP Racing and SUP Surfing. After placing 5th in the 20Km SUP Long Distance Race on Wednesday, the Danish athlete returned to competition today but was unfortunately eliminated from SUP Surfing following two Repechage Rounds.

Speaking to ISA’s competition format, Steinfath commented, “The ISA’s double elimination system is really unique because everyone gets to surf more than once even if you have a bad heat, like I did the other day. I think it highlights competition from all over the world giving every country a second chance, and it’s fair game for everyone.”

“Today was about inclusion in competition. We saw 49 athletes return to the water in the Repechage Rounds, giving them a second chance to advance and remain in competition. The advancing athletes have now earned spots in tomorrow’s competition, giving them the chance to continue, even if they lose one round,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We have the absolute best athletes in the world here, and we want to ensure they all have an extra chance to earn a Gold Medal for their country.”

Sean Poynter, 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, led the charge for Team USA and will compete for the Gold Medal on Friday when the new ISA SUP Surfing World Champions are decided. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

In addition to the Repechage Rounds, Main Event Round 3 took place for both men and women.

USA’s Sean Poynter was the standout competitor for the men with a 15.60 combined heat score. Poynter, the ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist in 2013, has shown nothing short of excellence in the water, making critical moves on every wave surfed. The American has become the man to beat in any heat.

For the women, the 2013 ISA SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, Nicole Pacelli from Team Brazil came out with the best score of 14.00 in total. Pacelli is no stranger to competition and proved that with smart surfing, she picked the best waves in her heat and executed perfect wrapping carves in the pocket.

For a full list of results, click here –http://isawsuppc.com/results/

Mauiki Raioha surfed with power for Team Tahiti. However, following two Repechage Rounds he fell just short of advancing. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

Original Press Release: ISA World StandUp and Paddlebaord Championships

SUP SURFING DELIVERS STRONG START TO 2015 ISA WORLD SUP AND PADDLEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY HOTEL KUPURI

by Chris Couve | May 12, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing

The Best Men, Women SUP Surfers from Around the World Showcase Serious Style in Sayulita

Tarryn King (Kyte) dominated her heats performing radical maneuvers, giving Team South Africa a strong start. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

StandUp Paddle (SUP) Surfing kicked off the week of competition at the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri on Monday, May 11 in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

The best men and women SUP surfers from around the world took to the warm waters of Sayulita. Athletes showcased supreme style to both the spectators in the sand and the world via live webcast.

Brian Talma, one of two brothers making up Team Barbados, represented his country proudly as a SUP surfer. Talma will surf again in the Repechaje Round on Thursday with the support of his Caribbean Island Nation. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

The surf ranged from 2-3 feet throughout the day with occasionally larger sets rolling in. These waves allowed the world’s best to perform vertical snaps, wraps and airs to keep the crowd on their toes.

“The first round of guys and girls SUP Surfing has been amazing! The conditions were great. It’s been a perfect day for warming up,” stated ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We know there is a big swell coming later in the week. It’s going to be huge.”

Aguerre continued, “Yesterday we had one of the best Opening Ceremonies in history, with Jalisco and Huicholes dancers. All the teams together, with the friendships and the flags, all of those things make this is a real world championship. As in all ISA World Championships, the world comes to one place. We get together for ten days, and we go home with new friends, having experienced epic times.”

Day 1 of the event featured the opening Main Event Rounds 1 and 2 of the Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing. The standouts of the day were U.S.A.’s Sean Poynter on the Men’s side and Brazil’s Nicole Pacelli on the Women’s.

Poynter, the 2013 Gold Medalist, put on a powerful performance in his two heats, which earned him the two highest total heat scores of the day with a 13.20 and a 13.27, respectively. The 25-year-old from San Diego advanced to the next round with ease and is one step closer to the final and potentially a second Gold Medal.

Pacelli, the 2013 SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, scored the highest women’s heat score with 11.26. Count on Pacelli to take advantage of her high placing on Day 1 to rest up and study her competition.

Team Mexico’s Felipe Hernandez was met by cheering and celebration on the beach after entertaining the crowd with the largest air of the day and a heat win. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

Regardless of the first day’s results, nobody has been eliminated. All the athletes placing 1st and 2nd move on to the next round. All athletes that placed 3rd and 4th move on to the Repechaje Round, where they will get one more chance.

For a full list of results, click here- http://isawsuppc.com/2015/results/

Day 2 of the webcast, will begin with The Morning Show at 8:40am hosted by Beau Hodge and will feature 2013 and 2014 SUP Technical Race Gold Medalist Casper Steinfath representing Team Denmark. Following will be the 20Km Women’s Long Distance SUP and Paddleboard Races.

On the SUP Racing side, defending Gold Medalist from 2014, Canada’s Lina Augaitis will be looking to defend her title. However, Augaitis will face stiff competition against newcomers, Candice Appleby from USA and Terrene Black from Australia.

The Paddleboard Race will feature the ISA’s most decorated athlete, Australia’s Jordan Mercer. 2014’s Silver Medalist, Carter Graves from USA will challenge the Australian for the Gold Medal.

Australia’s Jackson Close, shaking hands with Costa Rica’s Alvaro Solano, showing the spirt of sportsmanship, a common site at ISA World Championships. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

Tune in to the live webscast of the second day of the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri:

Monday, 8:40am Mexico
Monday, 6:40am West Coast USA
Monday, 3:40pm Paris, France
Monday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

Watch the live webcast here- http://isawsuppc.com/2015/live/

Words: Original Article by isawsuppc.com