Silva Takes Out Hainan Classic

Deivid Silva (BRA) has won the Hainan Classic, a men's ASP 4-Star Qualifying Series (QS) event, over Miguel Tudela (PER) in clean and punchy 1-to-2-foot surf at Riyue Bay. The third annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival combines both ASP and International Surfing Association (ISA) events offering the athletes the chance to compete for national pride, QS rankings points, and valuable prize money.

Silva was in control of the Final from the first minute, scoring a 9.10 (out of a possible 10) for a fast and furious combination of backhand whips and carves. The fireworks didn't stop as with both surfers threw up big aerials and explosive turns throughout the 30 minute Final. This is Silva's maiden QS win and sees the Hainan Classic trophy remain in Brazil after Caio Ibelli won this event last year.

“I'm very happy to get my first QS win in China,” Silva said. “I want to thank everyone for the help and support, this feels incredible. I started the Final with a good score, but I couldn't relax because I knew I needed another one. In the end I got one and am so happy to have won. The surf was difficult but, there were fun waves if you got lucky.”

Deivid Silva on top of the world in China. - WSL / Steve Robertson

Tudela was a standout for the duration of this year's festival, winning gold with Team Peru in the ISA China Cup and finishing runner-up at the Hainan Classic with high-flying airs and powerful snaps. Tudela is one of the most well rounded surfers in the ASP, performing well at the QS event and competing at the Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) event at Pico Alto in Peru in 20-foot-plus surf earlier this year.

“It's hard to get that close to the end and then lose,” Tudela said. “I'm still more stoked than sad. I did my best -- Deivid (Silva) started with a 9.10 and then I was able to get an 8.33, but I waited about 15 minutes for another wave and it never came. The waves have been small but it's been a great event for me.”

Deivid Silva and Miguel Tudela all smiles post-Final. - WSL / Steve Robertson

Dale Lovelock (AUS) posted excellent scores in every Round of this year's Hainan Classic, but was eliminated by Tudela in the Semifinals and finished equal third place. Lovelock eliminated fellow Sunshine Coast surfer Kai Hing with a solid performance in the Quarterfinals, but after breaking his finger at the start of the Semi he was out of rhythm and unable to get past a red-hot Tudela.

“I saw this event pop up and I thought it would be a great chance to come to China,” Lovelock said. “I thought if I could get to the Round of 16 or higher then it could help me get some points and maybe get into the QS events in Australia next year. I'm not at all bummed with third. It's been a great week and all of the surfers in the Semifinals are so good in these conditions so it was always going to be hard to make the Final. The surf has been small but similar to what I've been surfing and training in on the Sunshine Coast for the last four weeks, which definitely worked in my favor.”

Japan was well represented on finals day with Reo Inaba finishing equal fifth place after going down to Tudela in the Quarterfinals and Kaishu Tanaka finished equal third place.

Check out the Hainan Classic results page and the updated QS rankings for more infomation. The Vans World Cup will close out the QS season and is currently underway at Sunset Beach, Hawaii. Tune in to ASP daily to watch the action unfold LIVE.