Brazilian Women Upset Winners at Surf Games

Following a three-hour fog delay, surfing resumed at the World Surfing Games Friday with the Brazilian women posting upset victories in the opening heats of the fourth round of the Main Event.

Brazilian Tita Tavares beat top Australian NeridahFalconer and four-time Assn. of Surfing Professionals world champion Wendy Botha of New Zealand to advance to the fifth round. Her winning score of 18.93 was six points ahead of second-place finisher Falconer.

Brazilian Jaqueline Silva also scored an upset victory by beating another Aussie standout, Lynette Mackenzie, who finished third and dropped to the consolation heats. Scoring the highest wave score of the day, Silva edged France’s Emmanuelle Joly-Thomas, 18.26 to 17.23.

Cory Schumacher of San Diego and Huntington Beach’s Kim Hamrock of the U.S. team continued to advance in the consolation heats.

Shane Beschen and Taylor Knox of the U.S team continued to surf well with both advancing to the fifth round.

Knox had the most impressive performances, winning both heats, which were cut back from 20 minutes to 15 because of the fog delay.

In the Junior Division main event, Ben Bourgeios of North Carolina won his heat to advance for the U.S. team and Andy Irons of Hawaii also won his heat. Damien Hobgood of Florida also advanced after taking second in his heat, as did Andy Irons’ brother, Bruce, who also placed second in his heat.