Tamega wins Bahia and takes the lead…
After announcing his retirement at the start of the Brazilian leg, Guilherme Tamega has won the Bahia Bodyboard show and now leads the IBA Mens ratings going into Chile’.
” I am stoked to win in my home country and for sure I will now go to Chile’ to defend my title” said the former multi World Champion.
Tamega defeated Eder Luciano in the all Brazilian final with Luis Villar and Fabio Rodrigues placing equal third.
Waves for the event varied from clean 5 footers to messy 2-3 footers but overall the event was a resounding success and congratulations to Flavio Brito and his hard working team on delivering two great events back to back in Brazil.
Eunate is number 1…
Spanish rider Eunate Aguirre has taken the lead after winning the Bahia Bodyboard show in Brazil. She has had an amazing year so far making the final at all three events held so far. “I’m so happy, it’s impossible to describe what I’m feeling right now. I know that there are more events but now I want celebrate my victory”, said Eunate. Eunate defeated Mayla Venturin with Jessica Becker and Neymara Carvalho equal third. The 2009 WWT is shaping up as a great title race with Eunate, LuzMarie Grandperez, Neymara and Jessica all pushing the limits of Women’s bodyboarding to new heights. The girls will now look forward to the European leg in August to resume the battle…
NO Shark Island…
You may have heard by now that the Shark Island event has been dropped from the IBA World Tour. Local promoter Mark Fordham could not meet the minimum prizemoney and most of the minimum requirements, taking the event “Back to its roots” with a change in format and seeding. As a result the IBA has banned riders from competing. Anyone that has surfed in the Pipe and Brazilian events will not be able to compete. If a contracted rider breaches this ban and surfs in the contest they will serve a 12 month ban from the IBA. The US$500 fine will only apply to the IBA Top 32 from 2008. “Its a real shame that this has happened but the IBA can not be seen to support such a big event downgrading to a local contest” said IBA General Manager Terry Mckenna. “This would set a dangerous precident to the other promoters that work so hard to put on IBA World Tour events and meet the minimum standards”.
IBA Australasia are now looking at alternate venues for 2010.
Mike Stewart sits in number 2….
Mike Stewart has moved into number two on the IBA ratings after making the final of the Katherine Melo Pro and a solid performance in the Bahia Bodyboard show. At “Forty something” Mike is competing against riders half his age and re-writting the rules of his generation. “The age thing gets put on us in society but I don’t subscribe to it” said Mike. “I’m still kind of living the dream of a gromett, running my business from a laptop because its a blast to do”. “I encourage anyone out there who has brought into this society thing that they are too old to do anything to go for it” said Mike. Imagine if Mike wins his 10th World Title before Kelly Slater?
I would like to think that its very possible…
Lucas wins Katherine Melo…
Brazilian rider Lucas Nogueira won his maiden victory on the IBA World Tour after defeating Mike Stewart in the final of the Katherine Melo Pro. Lucas has been going from strength to strength over the last two years and is now positioned at number 5 on the IBA ratings for 2009. Neymara Carvalho won the Womens and is in a great battle for the title with Spain’s Eunate Aguirre.
Next stop….
Chile’ will be the next stop for the Men and will be a Grand Slam event with 2000 points up for grabs. Tamega will be the man to beat and is not only the number 1 seed but the defending champion. The event will run from July 29th till August 9th and local promoter Christian “Tomate” Peralta will be praying for similar conditions as last years epic event. Europe will be the next stop for the girls following the WWT and a string of events including the Grand Slam at Sintra will make for an intense month of competition. Entry forms for all events will be available soon on the IBA website…
Ratings are updated…
Wondering where you are coming in the World? Remember that the current ratings can be accessed on the website front page Top 10 “Full ratings” tab. Here is the link for those that are not sure…
http://www.ibaworldtour.com/mens-rankings
