COSTA RICA’S JASON TORRES ENTERS REPERCHARGE SEMIFINALS AND JOINS THE LIST OF THE BEST 16 SURFERS IN THE WORLD AT THE 2008 ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PORTUGAL



COSTA DE CAPRICA, PORTUGAL October 17, 2008 – Thanks to his good work during the course of the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG) in Costa de Caprica, in the province of Almeda, Portugal, that today included passing Round 6 of repercharge, the surfer of Jaco Beach Jason Torres is now one of the world’s 16 best surfers, Open category.

Torres managed to advance in 2nd place despite a battery of opposition that included the outstanding Pablo Gutierrez of Spain—who actually won 1st place—and Diego Cadena of Mexico—who placed 3rd—and Rugby Colmenares of Venezuela—who was 4th—in the quarterfinals of repercharge. Certain of his game, Torres immediately set out with his powerful arsenal obtaining a combination of two high scoring waves, a fact that left him calm for the rest of the Heat, hoping to finish the leader. He was happy with the 2nd spot.

From the beginning of this international contest, Torres has been the surfer with the most passion, the Tico Team has agreed. Although yesterday he slipped out of the main Rounds, today he is that much closer to getting back into the main event, where Luis Vindas (Jaco) is already in the semifinals.

Nataly Bernold (Jaco) is also waiting to complete her turn in the semifinals of the Women’s division.

Of the total 233 surfers that enrolled in the 2008 World Surfing Games in Portugal from the 29 countries that registered, 54 surfers are still alive for the remaining days of the competition. For Costa Rica’s National Surf Team, some of their team members finished out the life of the contest today.

Gilbert Brown (Puerto Viejo) started his run today by advancing in repercharge Round 4 with a 2nd place finish behind France’s Charly Martin, but he couldn’t not get out in front during Round 5. Despite obtaining a nice combination, Brown could not score get a score high enough in time, and fell between one of the best 25 surfers in the world, Open

Other Ticos in repercharge include Jairo Pérez (Jaco), who had fallen yesterday to Round 6 of the Open. His repercharge Heat today was complicated and he fell to 4th position, and ranked 20, Open. Diego Naranjo’s (Jaco) Longboard repercharge stint ended in quarterfinal; his ranking was unavailable at press time. The female Bodyboarder, Jimena Calvo (Boca Barranca), also took leave in repercharge Round 3, and still ranked 25 best in the world for her category.

Tomorrow morning, the repercharge Rounds will be completed. Therefore Jason Torres begins his fight at Round 7 in the Open.

Sunday will be reserved for the Rounds of the main event. For the Costa Rica National Surf Team this means Luis Vindas and Nataly Bernold will have their chance again to enter the water.