- WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
- WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot
Highlights Day 9
2:52
High performance surfing unfolds on the second-to-last day of competition at the Ericeira World Junior Championships

The Ericeira World Junior Championships resumed in improving conditions at the primary venue of Ribeira d'Ilhas and delivered an action-packed exciting day of competitive surfing. Juniors took on the throaty morning sets and consistently performed excellent surfing on the cleaning conditions throughout the day.

Lucas Silveira (BRA), 19, secured the only perfect 10 point ride of the event so far, for a beautiful set wave surfed to perfection on his forehand. The young Brazilian attacked a clean wall with full power and sharp rail game to advance into the fourth round.

Silveira's 10
2:15
Lucas Silveira Scores a perfect 10 point ride in Round 3 of the Ericeira World Junior Championships.

"The waves were really fun today, they finally cleaned up and we came back here to Ribeira, I'm really glad I survived the first few days in difficult conditions at the other beach," Silveira reflected. "I've been to a lot of World Juniors and never went past round 3 and this is my last year so I'm super happy to improve on that."

In the final heat of the day, Silveira continued to show his dominant self with yet another one-way heat against form surfer Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI). Silveira started extra late on a set wave to defend his priority and managed to work around a long foamy section to reach a clean shoulder and perform for a 9 point ride and his ticket for the quarters.

Silveira's 9
2:44
Lucas Silveira (BRA) rounds up the day's action with an impressive 9 point ride for his spot in the quarterfinals.

"Everyone is surfing really well, it's going to come down to surfing smart and wave selection cause everyone can surf rally good on a perfect wave," Silver continued. "I love these conditions, there's a lot of power to this wave and even if it gets smaller tomorrow I'm sure it'll be fun. I'll be using the same board and I'm feeling really confident."

Mihimana Braye (PYF), 20, secured one of the day's top performances, building momentum from his Round 3 early morning clash to culminate with an incredible 9.67 ride to belt his ticket for the quarterfinals. The Tahitian's backhand attack was flawless and his commitment on the meaty sections of Ribeira d'Ilhas were rewarded accordingly by the judges panel.

Braye's 9.67
0:49
Mihimana Braye (PYF) scores a near-perfect 9.67 for his signature powerful backhand attack.

"I'm stoked, for me Deivid Silva was the best surfer in this event and I can't believe I've beat him," Braye said. "I had a good heat before, my board works well and I'm confident so I just focused on my surfing and did the job. I feel great right now and I hope to go as far as I can tomorrow."

Perennial threat Soli Bailey (AUS), 20, continued his successful campaign in Ericeira and will now face another strong contender in the name of Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) when competition resumes. Bailey, who placed fifth in this event in 2014 will have the opportunity to improve on finals day Wednesday.

Soli Bailey (AUS) .Ericeira Junior 2016 Bailey let his surfing talk loud at Ribeira - WSL / Laurent Masurel

"There's more than one option out there now and it's hard to pick, before you could tell what a good wave was just cause it had a bit of green wall," Bailey explained. "I've been riding the same boards all of last year and until now and in all conditions so I'm used to them and they feel great. I'm staying by myself here and it's great, it's good to have a bit of time for yourself and stay focused on the job."

Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), 18, dispatched of Portugal's last hope of a men's junior title in Tomas Fernandes (PRT), in an intense heat decided in the very final moments of a 25-minute confrontation.

Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) Ericeira World Junior 2016 Fioravanti's approach at Ribeira was flawless - WSL / Poullenot/Aquashot

"The start of my heat was really bad but I didn't give up and with five minutes remaining I got a great wave and an 8.6 which was what I needed," Fioravanti said. "At the end of the heat I still had a bit of pressure cause Tomas had an 8 too and I knew he could get another one if he had a wave for it, he's such a great surfer over here and with all his friends and family over here he definitely has that fire to just go for it. I'm really super happy to win that one."

Competitors and event officials will reconvene Wednesday at 7:30AM for the final call of this year's Ericeira World Junior Championships.

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