With a stand-out performance from Marc Lacomare, the Azores Airlines Pro scored pristine Atlantic surfer to kick things off.
The Azores Islands Pro resumed in picture-perfect conditions on Day 2. With three-to four-foot surf and a glassy lineup, the remaining 12 heats of Round 1 were completed in beautiful waves.
The biggest performance came from Frenchman Marc Lacomare, who destroyed the clean rights on his backhand to advance into Round 2 alongside Mitch Crews.
By the end of the round a mild side-onshore wind picked up and spoiled the party, but Alex Ribeiro enjoyed the very last bit of the good half of the day in Heat 1, Round 2 and posted two decent scores to make his way into Round 3.
Mitch Crews (AUS) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
"I feel great and always love coming here," he said. "Conditions were a little bit slower than they've been but still super fun and I'm stoked to make my heat. The forecast is pretty exciting for the next few days so I look forward to competing more."
Despite nursing an ankle injury sustained on this trip overseas, Jackson Baker managed to surf through the pain and win his second heat in Azores. The Australian locked in the highest single score of Round 2 so far, a solid 7.50 for a massive forehand turn.
"When I first got injured I felt worse and thought I was flying home," he explained. "I left it a couple of days and the physio said it was only a sprain, so I did everything I could to get here. I want to surf to my full potential, but it still feels a bit stiff. I'm just trying to stay positive, that's how I go through the injury and I'll keep pushing through."
Nomme Mignot (FRA) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Brasil's Victor Bernardo broke a long stretch of early exits this year. With a solid performance to advance into Round 3. the dynamic regular-footer went to the air as the wind continued to come up. He landed two 6-point airs to take the heat win.
"That onshore really got strong right before my heat," he said. "I changed my whole plan, even my board choice, I grabbed a groveler and went for it. Surfing is all about keeping a positive mindset, I've lost in first rounds a lot but I know I can do it and will just keep doing my best. "
Tahitian powerhouse Mihimana Braye took the win in Heat 4 before competition was called off for the rest of the day as the tide neared its highest point and conditions deteriorated.
Competitors will be back at 7:45 a.m Thursday to potentially start back with Heat 5 of Round 2 featuring the recent runner-up in Pantin Jake Marshall, Ramzi Boukhiam, Samuel Pupo and Ethan Ewing.
The Azores Islands Pro will unfold from September 17-22, 2019 at praia de Santa Barbara, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel / Azores Islands.
Check out all photos, videos, results and of course the LIVE Webcast from Azores right here on worldsurfleague.com.
Azores Come Alive For Opening Rounds
Nicolas Leroy
The Azores Islands Pro resumed in picture-perfect conditions on Day 2. With three-to four-foot surf and a glassy lineup, the remaining 12 heats of Round 1 were completed in beautiful waves.
The biggest performance came from Frenchman Marc Lacomare, who destroyed the clean rights on his backhand to advance into Round 2 alongside Mitch Crews.
By the end of the round a mild side-onshore wind picked up and spoiled the party, but Alex Ribeiro enjoyed the very last bit of the good half of the day in Heat 1, Round 2 and posted two decent scores to make his way into Round 3.
"I feel great and always love coming here," he said. "Conditions were a little bit slower than they've been but still super fun and I'm stoked to make my heat. The forecast is pretty exciting for the next few days so I look forward to competing more."
Despite nursing an ankle injury sustained on this trip overseas, Jackson Baker managed to surf through the pain and win his second heat in Azores. The Australian locked in the highest single score of Round 2 so far, a solid 7.50 for a massive forehand turn.
"When I first got injured I felt worse and thought I was flying home," he explained. "I left it a couple of days and the physio said it was only a sprain, so I did everything I could to get here. I want to surf to my full potential, but it still feels a bit stiff. I'm just trying to stay positive, that's how I go through the injury and I'll keep pushing through."
Brasil's Victor Bernardo broke a long stretch of early exits this year. With a solid performance to advance into Round 3. the dynamic regular-footer went to the air as the wind continued to come up. He landed two 6-point airs to take the heat win.
"That onshore really got strong right before my heat," he said. "I changed my whole plan, even my board choice, I grabbed a groveler and went for it. Surfing is all about keeping a positive mindset, I've lost in first rounds a lot but I know I can do it and will just keep doing my best. "
Tahitian powerhouse Mihimana Braye took the win in Heat 4 before competition was called off for the rest of the day as the tide neared its highest point and conditions deteriorated.
Competitors will be back at 7:45 a.m Thursday to potentially start back with Heat 5 of Round 2 featuring the recent runner-up in Pantin Jake Marshall, Ramzi Boukhiam, Samuel Pupo and Ethan Ewing.
The Azores Islands Pro will unfold from September 17-22, 2019 at praia de Santa Barbara, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel / Azores Islands.
Check out all photos, videos, results and of course the LIVE Webcast from Azores right here on worldsurfleague.com.
Marc Lacomare
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Azores Airlines Pro
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