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Competition has been called ON at the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge with the first heat hitting the lineup at 12:15 p.m. GMT in building clean 30-to-40-foot bombs at Nazaré’s infamous Praia do Norte.
“It’s super exciting and a little nerve-wracking at the same time,” said Garrett McNamara, WSL Tours and Competition Big Wave Consultant. “It’s been building all day, the swell is here. The energy hasn’t fully filled in and the swell is supposed to turn a little bit more North which equals bigger and better waves. But it’s already perfectly contestable and the guys out there I guarantee will put on an amazing show!”
The defending event winner in the men’s, Lucas Chianca (BRA) will take it to the lineup in the second heat of the day with new partner and a former Jogos Santa Casa Most Committed Award recipient Pedro Scooby (BRA). Justine Dupont being absent this year, the women’s best performance will be contested between Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Maya Gabeira (BRA) surfing in Heats 1 and 2 respectively
TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Format Explained
Nine teams of two competitors will be split to surf twice during a day of six, 40-minute heats, with each team member alternating between surfing and driving the team’s jet ski.
Heat Draw
Heat 1, Group A
- Team 2: Nic Von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseyro (FRA)
- Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (GER), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
- Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Heat 2, Group B
- Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA), Pedro Scooby (BRA)
- Team 5: Joao De Macedo (POR), Antonio Silva (POR)
- Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA), Antonio Laureano (PRT)
Heat 3, Group C
- Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Will Skudin (USA)
- Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Vitor Faria (BRA)
- Team 9: Pierre Rollet (FRA), Rafael Tapia (CHL)
Heat 4, Group A
- Team 2: Nic Von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseyro (FRA)
- Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (GER), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
- Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Heat 5, Group B
- Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA), Pedro Scooby (BRA)
- Team 5: Joao De Macedo (POR), Antonio Silva (POR)
- Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA), Antonio Laureano (PRT)
Heat 6, Group C
- Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Will Skudin (USA)
- Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Vitor Faria (BRA)
- Team 9: Pierre Rollet (FRA), Rafael Tapia (CHL)
Four awards will be distributed at the end of the day:
- Men’s Best Performance: Male surfer with the highest 2 scoring waves
- Women’s Best Performance: Female surfer with the highest 2 scoring waves
- Best Team Performance: Total of best two scoring rides of both team riders
- Jogos Santa Casa Most Committed Award