- WSL / Igor Neves

The crowd at Praia da Tiririca was awarded with another stunning day of action on Saturday as waves in the 3-5 ft. range (1-1.5 meters) provided the athletes with high scoring opportunities throughout Day 3 of the 2017 WSL Men's QS 1,500 South to South presents Itacaré Surf and Sound Festival.

The judges were kept busy as a flurry of high scores were given out during most heats. However, no one came closer to perfection than Krystian Kymerson (BRA), who earned a 9.90 in Heat 4 of Round 5, the last heat of the day. The aerialist landed a huge frontside air to roundhouse combo for a 9.90. Kymerson advanced into the Quarterfinals alongside Alex Ribeiro (BRA), eliminating Marcos Correa (BRA) and WSL South America Tour Rankings Leader Thiago Camarão (BRA) from the competition.

Krystian Kymerson - South to South apresenta Itacaré Surf Sound Festival Krystian Kymerson - WSL / Peu Fernandes

"I knew that heat was going to be extremely difficult because everyone knew how to throw big airs, so I'm stoked to have won it," said Kymerson. "I couldn't land any airs during my earlier heat, so I'm happy I could stick some big ones when it counted most."

When asked about his nearly perfect ride, Kymerson added:

"As soon as I paddled in to it, I knew it was going to be a good wave. The ramp built up perfectly and I was able to land that full rotation and add another maneuver to get almost a 10-point ride. Now I'm in the hunt for the WSL South America Regional Title, so I'm going to do my best here and hope for another good result in Maresias," concluded Kymerson.

Alejo Muniz - South to South apresenta Itacaré Surf Sound Festival Alejo Muniz - WSL / Igor Neves

Now fully rehabilitated after suffering several devastating injuries, Alejo Muniz (BRA) was in top form, slicing his way to victory with sharp carves and forceful surfing to earn the event's highest heat wave total of a 17.90 in Heat 1 of Round 5. Deivid Silva (BRA) advanced in second place with a 14.75 total.

"In my first two heats I advanced in second, so it feels great to surf the way I want to and beat such incredible athletes in my heat," said Muniz. "Deivid (Silva) and (Flávio) Nakagima are some of my favorite surfers on the QS, and like me, are close to qualification for the CT, so I'm stoked that I was able to defeat them surfing the way I did."

Weslley Dantas - South to South apresenta Itacaré Surf Sound Festival Weslley Dantas - WSL / Igor Neves

In Heat 2 of Round 5, heavy-footed Weslley Dantas (BRA) showed no mercy as he completely destroyed his first wave on powerful backside bashes to score a 9.50. However, he was only able to back up his total with a 4.90, leaving the door open for Alonso Correa from Peru, who scored a 14.75 total, surpassing Dantas' 14.40, becoming the only non-Brazilian to make it into the Quarterfinals at the South to South presents Itacaré Surf and Sound Festival.

"It was an incredibly tough heat especially with Weslley catching that 9.5 at the beginning and against the local Yagê (Araújo)," said Correa. "I had two mid-range scores and I knew I had to get a higher score, so when that set wave came, I knew I had the opportunity to get it. This is my first time to Itacaré and I'm loving it. It's beautiful and the waves are great. It's sunny and the water's warm, which is the complete opposite of Peru."

Yage Araujo - South to South apresenta Itacaré Surf Sound Festival Yage Araujo - WSL / Igor Neves

A call is set for 9:00 am local time for the final day of the South to South presents Itacaré Surf and Sound Festival. First up will be Alejo Muniz against Weslley Dantas in Heat 1 of the Quarterfinals.

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