Playa Hermosa, COSTA RICA August 8, 2009 – With Jason Torres of Jaco finishing up his run in the final of the repercharge Rounds, Costa Rica took leave of the Billabong International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Game Costa Rica 2009 yesterday afternoon at Playa Hermosa. In doing so, they finalize their appearance in what has become known as the Olympics of Surfing with a 7th place finish, a position that the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica is more than happy with considering the star power of surfers that has attended this year’s event.

“Overall it feels good,” said José Ureña, President of Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica and head of the Technical Body of the Costa Rica National Surf Team. “We learned a lot. They tried a lot of new things like sports psychology, physical therapy and it was a whole new level with a personal trainer. To be honest, they did even better than it seems because of the level of surfers who showed up and the quantity of teams. I’m super proud of them. They did a good job and it makes me feel good for the future.”

Earlier in the morning, Esterillos’ Carlos Muñoz, had entered Round 7 of repercharge in another semifinal facing Jeremy Flores of France, Brandon Jackson of South Africa and Austin Ware of the USA. The 16-year-old held his own in the swell, which had picked up to 4- to 6-foot barrels, even going first, and extreme in a right barrel, but for want of a better second wave, he remained in 4th place. 1st place went to Jackson and Flores took 2nd withWare placing 3rd.

“I’m sad, but happy,” Muñoz said. “In the next World Surfing Games I’m going to do better.”

First thing in the morning, Torres surfed the qualifier round 5 and lost 4th place to USA Cory Lope at 1st, 2nd to Gabriel Villaran of Peru and 3rd to Joel Centeio of Hawaii. He went to repercharge.

Torres, however, put on a spectacular show in repercharge. Faced again by Flores, he gave the the public a dose of adrenalin when he overtook the Frenchmen in the last minutes. According to the ISA: “Throughout the event, Torres has been ripping apart the peaks with seamless fluidity. Running on all cylinders and throwing some jaw-ping fins-free whips and punts, throughout his heats, To be blunt, this kid is impressive.”

In repercharge Round 9, the finals, Torres surfed hard as well, but this time lost to the Frenchman Flores and Jackson, who came in 1st, and 2nd, respectively. Torres was 3rd.

“It’s really hard to surf against some of these guys. We (Team Costa Rica) have worked so hard to get here,” explained Torres afterward. “I thank God for us being here.”

With a 7th place finish in these Billabong ISA World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009, the Costa Rica team assures itself a place in the Aloha Games, the Tag Team participation in the next World Surfing Games, which is likely to be confirmed for Peru this next October 2010.

Today, the most anticipated day of the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games comes to an end, Look for teams from the United States and Hawaii to fight for 1st place and the gold medal. In addition, the Tag Team competition will have its finals between New Zealand, Peru, Tahiti and Australia.


Top 10 As of Friday August 7

1- United States 17.190

2- France 14.440

3- Hawaii 13.358

4- South Africa 12.508

5- Perú 12.120

6- Australia 12.110

7- Costa Rica 9.650

8- Venezuela 9.040

9- Brasil 9.000

10- Puerto Rico 8.820


Costa Rica Rankings

Open

- Jason Torres 7th

- Carlos Muñoz 13th

- Gilbert Brown 21st

- Luis Vindas 33rd

Women’s

- Lisbeth Vindas 11th

- Natalie Bernold 15th

Longboard

- Anthony Flores 29th

- Diego Naranjo 33rd

JASON TORRES AT BILLABONG ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES
PHOTO BY BILLY WATTS

JASON TORRES AND TEAM COSTA RICA
PHOTO BY BILLY WATTS