TWO COSTA RICAN SURFERS ALIVE IN FINAL SIX AT THE 2008 ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PORTUGAL TICOS EARN BRONZE MEDAL IN ALOHA CUP TAG TEAM GAMES

COSTA RICA NOW #3 BEHIND AUSTRALIA, USA IN RANKINGS



COSTA DE CAPRICA, PORTUGAL October 18, 2008 – The Costa Rican juggernaut continues…It was another historic day of surf for the Costa Rica National Surf Team at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG) in Costa de Caprica, in the province of Almeda, Portugal. Jason Torres, Luis Vindas and Nataly Bernold are all now within sight of the dream of the best in the world of surfing.

And when the rankings were released today, Costa Rica was #3 behind Australia and the United States. “Costa Rica confirmed its status as the new great surfing nation, adding their name to the elite group of the world´s most developed surfing nations,” the ISA announce.

First entering the water to complete the semifinal round that he needed to pass before a shot at the big show tomorrow, Luis Vindas once again took 1st place, becoming only one of four Open surfers in the World Surfing Games to pass all his heats unbeaten. Tomorrow he joins those surfers: CJ Hobgood of the U.S.A., Kai Otten of Australia and Heath Joske of Australia. The surfer from Jaco received applause from his fellow Ticos, but also from all the American team, who were standing next to them.

“I never felt so proud of my brother, because he has the talent and the drive to be champion of the world, it has only been until now that he has demonstrated it to the world. The best thing is, the levels he has achieved with his surfing for himself,” expressed Lisbeth Vindas, soaked in tears after Luis finished this last Heat.

Jason Torres (Jaco), for his part, today pulled off a triple threat by advancing three Heats to repercharge Round 9, the finals. Suspense, then glory, was the story in Heat 8, when he was first left outside by the Spaniard Pablo Gutierrez, who was at the time 2nd behind the Tahitian Hira Teriinatoofa. Nevertheless, Torres needed a wave above 7.53, and though running out of time, found something in less than a minute. It was a right, and he filled it with maneuvers varied and radical in all sections of the wave, and without knowing the result, already Torres and the Ticos celebrated what they thought was a great score. Indeed it was, as the jury came back with 8.30, which pushed Torres to 2nd place over Gutierrez, who fell to 3rd.

“I am very motivated,” exclaimed Torres when leaving his last heat of the day. “I want to be in the finals next to Luis Vindas and to give Costs Rica and surf of our country the title that we deserve.”

Once again, Nataly Bernold (Jaco) was unstoppable. The youngest surfer in the 2008 World Surfing Games at 15, she won 2nd place today behind 1st place winner Lauren Sweeney of the United States, and over Marie Dejean, who came in 3rd. She joins Luis Vindas in being one of those surfers who hasn’t lost a Heat in a single Round.

“I am very content and motivated and the truth is it was far from easy to arrive up to this point, but what is most important is tomorrow morning,” said Bernold once she left the water after winning.”

Thanks to the fact that Costa Rica was ranked 8th in the 2006 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California, the Ticos qualified to participate in the Aloha Cut Tag Team games or team strateg. It consists of a team of 4 Open surfers and 1 female, one of whom is named “Power Surfer” (who gets three waves as opposed the two the others get). There are 2 semifinals of 4 teams and the finals of 4. The tricolor managed to advance in the semifinal of the powers of the surf world including Brazil, the United States and the United Kingdom. Once in the finals, they held in the 1st position of the heat until 5 minutes to finish. Nevertheless, France managed to overcome them, as well as Portugal in the last minutes, sending the Ticos to the 3rd position. Thus, the first certain 2008 World Surfing Games medal was earned today by Costa Rica, the bronze for the Aloha Cup Tag Team games.

Today, was a day of 100 percent effectiveness for the National Selection, meaning they did not leave behind any athlete in any competition

“I am very thankful and proud that we have managed to bring, what I consider, the best surf team to the World Surfing Games by our own means. The government has not helped us for this important opportunity to shine. Nevertheless, we managed to finally turn the lack of support for surf into motivation and power in the world of surf,” asserted José Ureña, Technical Director of the National Section as well as President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica.

“The Tico Team has become one of the great surprises in the history of the World Surfing Games. This year, they are really at the top level of the world. We are very happy that the effort of the Federacion (de Surf de Costa Rica) has been fruitful with its endeavors,” announced Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA, and creator of the Reef brand.

Tomorrow morning, at 8:00 a.m. local time (1:00 a.m. in Costa Rica), the action begins at the main podium. Luis will enter at 8:40 a.m. in the heat the will lead to the finals. At 9:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m. Costa Rica), Nataly Bernold will surf her heat that could take her to the finals. At 10 a.m. (3:00 a.m. Costa Rica), Jason Torres begins the repercharge finals.

To view the Costa Rica National Surf Team in action at the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games go to www.isasurf.org