Following two consecutive lay days due to extreme weather and huge waves, competition returned to the World Surf League (WSL) Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour 2022 QS 5000 at El Gringo in Arica, Chile. Pumping conditions were present on Thursday, with barreling waves in the 6-to-8 ft range. Although there was the potential for an epic day of surfing, competition had to be shortened due to a national tsunami evacuation drill. Only three heats remain in the Round of 64 and a call has been set for 7:00 AM (GMT-4) on Friday for continuation of the event.
Nic Lamb - Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour - WSL / Kemichh
"The three remaining heats will be run tomorrow (Friday) to start the day. Unfortunately, we had to cut the competition short today because of a national evacuation training drill that simulated a tsunami or seismic activity in the region," stated Roberto Perdigão, WSL LATAM Tour Manager. "Everyone will have to head for higher ground during the drill, so we had to call off competition for the day and will return tomorrow."
Despite only five heats being carried out, there was still plenty of action in the line-up with big barrels and heavy wipe-outs being witnessed by the crowds on the rocky outcrop at El Gringo. Samuel Igo (BRA) dropped into a bomb and got a lengthy barrel for the best score of the day and advanced into the Round of 32 and has jumped into 13th on the WSL South America rankings.
"The waves are incredible today and El Gringo is a place I really enjoy," said Igo. "This is my fifth time down here and each year I feel like I learn more about the waves and my experiences here. It's kind of hard to find two good ones today, but I felt like I got the job done, I found one great barrel and it's great to win my heat. I've got a great board and it gives me the added confidence to charge as hard as I can, especially at such a dangerous break like El Gringo."
Samuel Igo (BRA) advanced into the Round of 32 at the Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour QS 5000 in Chile. - WSL / Kemichh
Challenger Series Qualification
Only the top 10 athletes on the WSL South America regional rankings will qualify for the 2023 World Surf League Challenger Series. In addition to Igo's jump near the qualification bubble, other athletes have also moved up such as Gabriel Klaussner (BRA), who now sits at 11th and Guillermo Satt (CHL) who is now in 12th and Manuel Selman (CHL) who is currently in 15th. All of the aforementioned athletes advanced into the Round of 32 on Thursday.
Other notable athletes who advanced on Thursday were Douglas Silva (BRA), Philippe Neves (BRA), Cristobal de Col (PER), Krystian Kymerson (BRA) and Marco Giorgi (URY). Giorgi is the only athlete in the history of the Arica Pro to earn two perfect 10-point rides at El Gringo; both earned at the event in 2014.
Krystian Kymerson (BRA), Cristobal de Col (PER), Marco Giorgi (URY) and Guillermo Satt (CHL) all advanced into the Round of 32 - WSL / Kemichh
A call has been set for 7:00 AM (GMT-4) on Friday for continuation of the event and will see Matheus Navarro (BRA) face up against Mateus Sena (BRA), Joaquin del Castillo (PER) and Nicolas Falcon (CHL). For more information and to watch the Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour LIVE, go to WorldSurfLeague.com
Competition Cut Short at the Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour in Chile
Gabriel Gontijo
Following two consecutive lay days due to extreme weather and huge waves, competition returned to the World Surf League (WSL) Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour 2022 QS 5000 at El Gringo in Arica, Chile. Pumping conditions were present on Thursday, with barreling waves in the 6-to-8 ft range. Although there was the potential for an epic day of surfing, competition had to be shortened due to a national tsunami evacuation drill. Only three heats remain in the Round of 64 and a call has been set for 7:00 AM (GMT-4) on Friday for continuation of the event.
"The three remaining heats will be run tomorrow (Friday) to start the day. Unfortunately, we had to cut the competition short today because of a national evacuation training drill that simulated a tsunami or seismic activity in the region," stated Roberto Perdigão, WSL LATAM Tour Manager. "Everyone will have to head for higher ground during the drill, so we had to call off competition for the day and will return tomorrow."
Despite only five heats being carried out, there was still plenty of action in the line-up with big barrels and heavy wipe-outs being witnessed by the crowds on the rocky outcrop at El Gringo. Samuel Igo (BRA) dropped into a bomb and got a lengthy barrel for the best score of the day and advanced into the Round of 32 and has jumped into 13th on the WSL South America rankings.
"The waves are incredible today and El Gringo is a place I really enjoy," said Igo. "This is my fifth time down here and each year I feel like I learn more about the waves and my experiences here. It's kind of hard to find two good ones today, but I felt like I got the job done, I found one great barrel and it's great to win my heat. I've got a great board and it gives me the added confidence to charge as hard as I can, especially at such a dangerous break like El Gringo."
Challenger Series Qualification
Only the top 10 athletes on the WSL South America regional rankings will qualify for the 2023 World Surf League Challenger Series. In addition to Igo's jump near the qualification bubble, other athletes have also moved up such as Gabriel Klaussner (BRA), who now sits at 11th and Guillermo Satt (CHL) who is now in 12th and Manuel Selman (CHL) who is currently in 15th. All of the aforementioned athletes advanced into the Round of 32 on Thursday.
Other notable athletes who advanced on Thursday were Douglas Silva (BRA), Philippe Neves (BRA), Cristobal de Col (PER), Krystian Kymerson (BRA) and Marco Giorgi (URY). Giorgi is the only athlete in the history of the Arica Pro to earn two perfect 10-point rides at El Gringo; both earned at the event in 2014.
A call has been set for 7:00 AM (GMT-4) on Friday for continuation of the event and will see Matheus Navarro (BRA) face up against Mateus Sena (BRA), Joaquin del Castillo (PER) and Nicolas Falcon (CHL). For more information and to watch the Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour LIVE, go to WorldSurfLeague.com
Arica Pro Tour 2022
3rd consecutive Qualifying Series victory for Tudela.
Spectacular conditions were present on Day 6 of the World Surf League (WSL) Maui and Sons Arica Pro Tour QS 5000.
3rd consecutive Qualifying Series victory for Tudela
O peruano ganhou suas três etapas da WSL Latin America em 2022
Guillermo Satt earns a 9.77 on a spectacular barrel at El Gringo
News
Jett Schilling's event-winning 9.73, plus a 9.50 in the Semifinals, another 9 from Taro Watanabe and explosive surfing from local hero
Jett Schilling Soars in Comeback Fashion to Claim QS 1000 Victory in Pumping Conditions
With Taro Watanabe pushing Jett Schilling to a 9.53 requirement, Schilling took to the air for a massive alley-oop and scored a 9.73 to
Soleil Errico teamed up with Traveller Surf Club (@traveller_surf_club) to host an invitational pro coaching workshop for the young rising
Taro Watanabe bagged himself two separate 9-point rides before Jett Schilling posted a 9.93 in the final heat of the Round of 16 to add