The South American leg is on.
Everybody knows it was a matter of time until Tristan Roberts, 2019 and 2022 world champion, took the lead of the 2024 Bodyboarding World Tour. You see, the South African is a mad man in top shape and after Tanner McDaniel’s win last year and the early lost in Morocco, the 1st stop of the year, all there was to do was redeem himself and get right back on the podium.
Here are a couple words from the IBC regarding the final day at the Iquique Bodyboard Pro:
The final day of the Chilean delivered an exhilarating display of athleticism and skill in flawless conditions. The semifinals and finals of all three divisions – Junior Men, Women, and Men – took place amid perfect waves, providing spectators with an unforgettable spectacle.
The day kicked off with heart-stopping semifinals in the Men’s division, featuring two-time world champion Tristan Roberts, rising star Lionel Medina from the Canary Islands, Brazilian powerhouse Uri Valadão, and local sensation Joaquin Soto. After intense heats, Roberts and Soto emerged victorious, earning their spots in the final showdown.
In the final, amidst increasingly challenging wind conditions, Roberts and Soto exhibited their prowess, with Roberts ultimately clinching the victory in a closely contested heat.
“Here’s to the sport we love, thank you for everything you have given me and continue to give me. All the ups and all the downs. I know this up will always have its down. That’s life, that’s competition. So for now I’ll enjoy this up. Thanks to all the competitors for pushing the level higher and higher. Let’s continue to do so while overriding all the hate and negativity, with stoke and positivity. Till next time Iquique”, said the champ.
After 2 stops, Tristan leads the world ranking with 4125 points, followed by Brazilians Uri Valadão and Gabriel Braga with 4015 and 3850 points, respectively.
In the Women’s division, semifinals were dominated by Brazilian contenders Maylla Venturin and Maira Viana, along with Portuguese standout Joana Schenker, facing off against the promising young talent Luna Hardman from Brazil.
Ultimately, Viana emerged triumphant in the final, securing the highest score of her heat with a massive roll in the critical section, and claiming the historic first-place prize of $8000 USD, thanks to the initiative of Iquique’s mayor to promote gender parity in prize money.
Three Brazilians are taking over the first places: Luna Hardman is 1st with 3675 points, Maíra Viana is now second with 3345 points, and Maylla Venturin is third in the chart with 3105 points. Surprisingly, Japanese Sari Ohhara, current women’s world champion, appears in fourth place with 3000 points.
Local boys Mikelle Arriagada and Bastian Venegas, who ousted the defending junior world champion in the semis, Michael Yancce from Peru, battled each other in the final heat. Arriagada emerged victorious, claiming the title of Junior Champion of the Iquique Bodyboard Pro 2024.