France Takes the Lead as Eliminations Begin at 2023 ISA's

LES SABLES D'OLONNE, France – A stunning sunrise welcomed competitors to day two of the 2023 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC), with three-to-four foot swell once again pouring into Plage de Tanchet. The continuation of SUP Surfing Men’s Main Event Round 2 started the day, along with Women’s Main Round 2 and Men’s Main Round 3, before the Repechage Rounds began the first eliminations of the event.

France remained the only national team to keep each of their SUP Surfing competitors in the Main Round. 2019 World Champions Benoit Carpentier and Justine Dupont both progressed, along with teammates Camille Dubrana and Gabriel Bachelet.

Leonardo Gimenes (BRA) found the best numbers of the day, and the event so far, in Main Round 2, collecting a 15.77 heat total. Midway through the heat the 23-year-old former Brazilian National Champion strung together four flowing re-entries on his forehand, finishing strong in the shorebreak for an 8.17, before immediately backing it up with a 7.60 for a huge two turn combo that included a massive tail drift.

Aline Adisaka (left) and Justine Dupont (right). | Photos: ISA / Sean Evans

Gimenes’ teammate Aline Adisaka (BRA) faced a stacked match in Women’s Main Round 2, Heat 4. Coming up against 2019 Gold Medalist Justine Dupont (FRA), Alazne Aurrekoetxea (ESP), and Nimsay Garcia (PUR), Adisaka started strong and held a decent lead throughout, finding a 7.00, largely off the strength of a solid hit in the shorebreak. After winning the Copper Medal in 2017 and Bronze Medal in 2022, the 32-year-old knows exactly what her goal is.

“Definitely the gold medal is the dream and I know that it takes a lot of work and a combination of things to make it happen,” Adisaka said. “I’ve been working hard to get there to achieve this dream and just praying that everything goes the way it’s supposed to. It’s amazing, the level is super high, so let’s keep going.”

Lucia Cosoleto (left) and Iballa Ruano (right). | Photos: ISA / Sean Evans / Jersson Barboza

2022 Gold Medalist Lucia Cosoleto (ARG) again found the best scores of the women’s rounds, a two-turn combo that featured a layback connected straight into a large closeout re-entry delivering her an 8.00. Iballa Ruano (ESP) and Camille Dubrana (FRA) also stood out as they won their respective heats.

After a low-scoring Main Round 1 heat, Max Torres (PUR) kicked into gear to deliver two great performances today and continue his march into Finals Day through the Main Round. After the pressure of being the hometown hero for the 2022 WSUPPC, the 21-year-old has been preparing himself to go further in 2023.

Max Torres, ripping. | Photo: ISA / Sean Evans

“Honestly about a year ago these waves were terrible for me,” Torres said. “Once they announced it was France, I was just working on beach-breaks, beach-breaks, traveling a lot, because where I live back home it’s all point-breaks. I have to travel like two hours to the nearest beach-break, so I’ve been doing that a lot. My first heat yesterday wasn’t the best, but I went home, refocused, saw what I did wrong and applied it to my heats, so I’m pumped for tomorrow.”

Competition will continue on September 27th at Plage de Tanchet at 8:00 am CEST with Men’s SUP Surfing Main Event Round 4.

For more news from the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships, click HERE.