Five Surfers Qualify For Paris Olympics Via ISA Games
OK, full disclosure: I've got very little interest in the ISA World Surfing Games and even professional obligations can't compel me to make sense of the labyrinthine format. There are, however, Olympic Game places at stake which are of some interest.
As of yesterday, five spots for the 2024 Olympics had been decided at the ISA Games. They are, South Africans Jordy Smith and Sarah Baum, New Zealanders Saffi Vette and Billy Stairmand, and Japan’s Shino Matsuda.
Saffi and Billy flank ISA Head Knob Fernando Aguerre (Photo Jersson Barboza)
It's the second time Jordy has qualified for the Olympics, however he pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics citing a knee injury.
"Having the opportunity to surf at Teahupo’o is going to be insane," said Jordy. "I’ve been going there since I was 14-years-old, so I’ve got a lot of experience. Hopefully Mother Nature plays ball on those days and we come away with gold.”
Jordy also has a chance to double qualify (via the CT), and if that happens his spot will go to the next eligible ranked surfer in the 2023 ISA Games regardless of continent.
Smith’s teammate Sarah Baum is a 29-year old, 11-year veteran of the Qualifying Series with a high place finish of 11th back in 2011.
Kiwis Billy Stairmand and Saffi Vette took the two Oceania slots. Stairmand - who will compete in his second games - gained qualification by beating Ethan Ewing and Ryan Callinan. “I feel like in Tokyo I kind of left a little bit out there," said Stairmand, who almost beat eventual winner Italo Ferreira in their Rd 3 clash at Shidashita Beach.
“I’m obviously excited, but really terrified too,” said Vette of gaining qualification. “I’ve never been to Tahiti before. I’m really excited to give it a red hot crack."
The fifth spot was another second-time qualifier. Japan's Shino Matsuda is another QS surfer, currently ranked 8th in Japan's regional QS rankings.
In total there are eight Olympic slots on offer at the ISA Games. The three remaining slots will go to a man from Asia, and both a man and woman from Europe.
Comments
Is it correct to say that they have a four day window to run like 50 heats at Teahupoo for the olympics?
will be entertaining if they get this sort of juice
Can you imagine? Empty heats abound.
What a great shot.
How do you do a count back if its a Nil all draw ?? are they seeded at the Limpics
“I’ve never been to Tahiti before. I’m really excited to give it a red hot crack."
Saffi sums up the Olympian mindset. They're going !
Sponsored by Gath ?
Be a lot of 0.0 heat totals if it's over 6ft.
Baffling. The only sport where qualification for possibly the most difficult feat in any world sport, surfing big Teahupoo, is run in conditions completely opposite to what they'll face.
You don't see cyclists riding unicycles on footpaths to qualify for the velodrome, nor do you see swimmers just swimming 20m with floaties to qualify for the 5000m. Sprinters don't walk with a cup of coffee to qualify for the 100m, skaters don't skate their driveway to qualify for the halfpipe, but for some reason, surifngs qualification process for Chopes is in fat right hand beachbreaks.
As stated above, gonna be lots of 0.0 heats.
Stoked Vahines scraped in though.
Can we get Bronte in there for oz?
Well said... There will be plenty of skin left on the reef after that contest.
Still... Happy to have Billy Stairmond representing NZ.
Billy Stairmond over Kehu Butler.......... really?
Billy has quite possibly the best surf coach on the planet.
No wonder he qualified.
It's an absolutely bizarre qualification process.
Toled00 will be in good company is its big.
I wonder how many hospital beds there are in Papeete?
Hopefully Griff beats Italo for gold, by way of contentious judging.
I flicked it on this morning for about 5 mins.
I thought I was listening to an English and Spanish commentary at the same time. It was bizarre.
As I listened a little closer, I realised it was Fernando Aguerro and he was attempting to speak English. Talking absolute dribble, faster than I thought humanly possible. Barton Lynch was next time him trying to get a word in. Turned off very quickly. Surf was big though.
Medina has pulled out. Severely strained his whinge-bone
I'm trying not to laugh ......
Anyone know why Carrissa pulled out of the heat that Saffi was in that then enabled her to advance to the round where Paige had got to? It effectively handed it to Saffi
I watched a fair bit of this because it's at a break I surf a bit and I had it on all day in the background, test cricket style. It actually went on longer than a game of test cricket! Medina and chianca both pulled out but were easily the pick of the ct surfers. The Aussies were very hit and miss, mainly the latter. Ethan Ewing has no air game even compared to other lesser surfers, let alone the Brazilians, that said he still did some of the best turns. The men's final was good viewing. Erin Brooks is one to watch in the future.
For the gamblers out there, I don't know what it's paying but I'd pick chianca @ punta roca.
"Ethan Ewing has no air game".... wow, that's a bold (and ridiculous) statement champ
Might be overstated, but he's definitely in the lower half of the CT when it comes to over the lip moves.
Style master par excellence, and his rail game is of the highest order, but he'll always be up against it in waves that demand airs at will.
I get to see him free surf often Stu, I think you might be very surprised what he can do. But, yes, he doesn't go there in competition and that might be something he needs to think about
Good observations Juega. Any idea why so many CT surfers just pulled out half way through? It gave some lucky punters a charmed run. At least Billy beat Medina on the way to his result then medina pulls out a heat later. Italo won't get to defend his Olympic gold ay?
Connor OLeary jumps into bed with Kanoa and sells his country down the river to join team Japan for the Olympics..
Wonder what the real Japanese think about their Olympic team and its Jonny come lately,s?
Leaves a bad taste this country swapping IMO