- WSL

Competition is underway at the ASP Women's 4-Star Mahalo Surf Eco Festival presented by Skol. Overcast skies with light winds and waves in the 2-to-3-foot range (1-metre) were on hand at Praia da Tiririca in Itacare, Brazil. The best surfers did not disappoint, putting on stellar performances, as the contest ran through two rounds, narrowing the field to eight.

Looking to return to the World Championship Tour (WCT),, Jacqueline Silva (BRA) took another step in the right direction, defeating Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Gilvanilta Ferreira (BRA) and Keshia Seelow Eyre (GBR) in Round 2.

"In these kinds of conditions, if you find a good wave it could be a heat changer," stated Silva, who currently leads the ASP South America rankings. "I didn't even realize I was in the hunt for the (South America) title until I found out at the last event in Florianopolis. I'm in the lead and I'm going to do my best to keep it that way."

Unlike Silva, local surfer Silvana Lima (BRA) currently leads the Qualification Series (QS) rankings and has already guaranteed herself a spot on the 2015 Women's Dream Tour. With the pressure off in regards to her return to the elite division, Lima is focused on winning the Mahalo Surf Eco Festival in front of a large supporting crowd at Praia da Tiririca.

"Although I haven't won here yet, I've always felt lucky here in Itacare," said Lima, who, despite her talents, does not have the support of a major sponsor. "I know this wave pretty well, so let's see if I can pull it off this year. My goal this year was to make it back onto the WCT. With that out of the way, I still have a shot of winning the ASP South America title."

Lima further commented on her plans for the remainder of the year: "After this event I'm going to visit my family before heading to Hawaii to test out some bigger boards. Then in February, I'll go straight to the Gold Coast in Australia about two weeks before the first contest to start my training early and to get a feel for the WCT atmosphere once again."

Watch the final day of the ASP Women's 4-Star Mahalo Surf Eco Festival presented by Skol LIVE at surfbahia.com.br.

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