The local surfers showcased their knowledge of Playa Hermosa and were the day’s standout performers. Tomorrow, the remaining seeded ALAS surfers will enter the water.
How many surf tours in the world can boast events with competitors from twenty different countries? The ALAS Global Tour has become a melting pot of nationalities united through surfing. At the Garabito Pro, there are athletes from seven South American nations, three North American nations, six Central American nations, two Asian nations, and two European nations. And, to the delight of the host country, Costa Rica’s team has been the strongest during the first two days of competition.
Five of the seven highest-scoring waves in the Men’s Open were surfed by locals, most notably an impressive full-rotation aerial by Óscar Urbina that earned 9.17 points from the judges.
“I was very motivated and connected with the ocean. I wanted to get good waves so I could show a bit of my surfing,” Urbina said in the live interview. The Jacó local admitted that competing at home, in front of his people, makes him nervous, but he maintains the strategy that has brought him success: not looking too far ahead and focusing only on the heat in front of him.
Costa Ricans Malakai Martínez, Jason Torres, Anthony Fillingim, Nicolás Boos, Marcos Rojas, and Carlos Urbina—Óscar’s brother—also advanced to Round 3. They will be joined at this stage by other seeded locals such as Sam Reidy, Darshan Antequera, and Tosh Talbot. With ten surfers still alive in Round 3, Costa Rica has more athletes remaining in the Men’s Open than any other country.
A similar situation can be seen in the junior divisions: 12 of the 62 surfers still in contention in the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 categories are Costa Rican.
Ciaramella surprises in the Open
One of the day’s notable stories was the performance of Michael Ciaramella, a freesurfer and editor at the renowned Stab. The American has lived in Costa Rica for several years, enjoying its waves every day. After twelve years away from competition, Michael decided to put on a competition jersey again, and the result was better than expected: he advanced in first place yesterday and repeated the feat today.
“It’s a surprise, honestly. Advancing yesterday was already a success for me, so today I entered the water with less fear than yesterday, and a wave came straight to me at the beginning of the heat. Posting a good score early gives you a good mindset, and everything came very easily,” Michael said after leaving the water.
Tomorrow, he will surf in the final heat of Round 3 of the Men’s Open against Peru’s Marcelo Huamán and two seeded surfers: fellow Peruvian Lucas Pérez del Solar and Ecuador’s Maximiliano Sáenz.
Contenders remain strong
The Women’s Open ranking shifted after the previous event in Panama, where Mimi Barona took the lead in the absence of Victoria Muñoz Larreta. Today, both surfers met in a crucial matchup in the second heat of the day. An early elimination would have been a serious blow to either surfer’s ranking.
After 20 intense minutes, the Argentine and the Ecuadorian secured their spots in the semifinals, eliminating local surfer Érika Berra and Brazil’s Lanay Thompson. They could meet again in a potential final if they overcome their next heat.
“It was very important for me to get through this heat. Competing against Mimi, who is at such a high level, motivates me greatly and helps me improve. I’m very focused on taking things step by step, but the goal at the end of the year is always to become champion,” Vicky said after her heat.
Following today’s action, the two semifinals in the division have been set. The first heat will feature Muñoz, Peru’s Brianna Barthelmess and Urpi Torres—who posted the category’s best two-wave total of the day, 12.66—and Mexico’s Ana Lyllia González. The second will include Dominic Barona, her fellow Ecuadorian Génesis Borja—the reigning ALAS Champion—Nicaragua’s Candelaria Resano, and Peru’s Emma García, who reaches the semifinals just after turning 13.
Check all of today’s results on our website.
The ALAS Global Tour Garabito Pro was sponsored by Corona Cero, Icoder, Banco LAFISE, the Costa Rican National Olympic Committee, the Costa Rican Surf Federation, Alamo Rent a Car, Lapoint Surf Camps, and Electrolit. It was supported by Místico Beach Town and Resort, Hotel Tramonto, The Backyard Hotel, Surf Dojo, Hotel Ola Bonita, Restaurante Vida Hermosa, Pizza Pata, and the Playa Hermosa World Surfing Reserve.