The 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco saw an international field take on clean 4-to-6 foot surf with highly contestable peaks. With favorable conditions on the opening day of competition, the first two rounds were completed in their entirety. Local surfers and international standouts alike lit up the Mexican beachbreak with style and flare.
The Surf Open Acapulco ASP 4 star event is the 12th stop of the ASP Qualifying Series (QS) and the second Latin American event of 2014, giving local surfers a chance to compete on a world stage while offering crucial points for competitors climbing the QS ranks.
Venezuelan standout Francisco Bellorin is looking to make the final in 2014 following an equal third result in 2013. - WSL / Edwin Morales
Francisco Bellorin (VEN) became an early event standout, attaining the highest heat score of Round 1 (14.44) and earning the day's highest wave score (an 8.00) in Round 2.
"This morning the conditions reminded me of the waves at home in Venezuela and I am very happy to have won both my Round 1 and Round 2 heats," said Bellorin. "I have high expectations for myself this year because last year I placed third here (in Acapulco) and I want to come back even stronger to see if I can win it this year."
Bellorin will be a competitor to watch throughout this event and is determined to better his result from last year. The regular-footer is also looking to break the QS top 100 barrier--he is currently sitting at No. 117.
Clean swell delivered for the opening day of competition at the powerful Mexican beachbreak. - WSL / Edwin Morales
Another solid performance came from former WCT (World Championship Tour) competitor Pedro Henrique (BRA). The 2000 World Junior Champion posted the second highest heat total of the day (14.27) in the Round of 160. After more than a three-year break from any ASP competition, Henrique seems to be picking up right where he left off.
"After close to four years of only kitesurfing, I think it's time to get back to surfing," said Henrique. "I've been training a lot and am excited to have the chance to be back. This is my first time here and I am enjoying it a lot."
Henrique is no stranger to the fierce competition of the QS and says he is focused to start gaining points and work toward getting back on the elite Tour. A good result at this event could jumpstart his campaign and provide a much-needed bump in the series ratings.
Puerto Escodido local Angelo Lozano carried his nation's flag through the opening rounds at Playa Revolcadero. - WSL / unknown
Another notable showing came from Alex Chacon (BRA) in Heat 15 of Round 2 where he tied Bellorin's 8.00 on his first wave, putting together a nice double-up right with a few solid turns and an air to finish it off.
"There were a lot of good waves out there. That wave came to me right away as the heat started," Chacon said. "I surfed it just normal and got that air and I didn't know the score until the end. I struggled for my second wave, but I got a little one and I am just stoked to get through."
The Surf Open Acapulco is scheduled to run from July 8-12 and will be live via webcast at www.surfopenacapulco.com. Check out the ASP event site for full results.
Surf Open Acapulco Kicks Off
WSL
The 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco saw an international field take on clean 4-to-6 foot surf with highly contestable peaks. With favorable conditions on the opening day of competition, the first two rounds were completed in their entirety. Local surfers and international standouts alike lit up the Mexican beachbreak with style and flare.
The Surf Open Acapulco ASP 4 star event is the 12th stop of the ASP Qualifying Series (QS) and the second Latin American event of 2014, giving local surfers a chance to compete on a world stage while offering crucial points for competitors climbing the QS ranks.
Francisco Bellorin (VEN) became an early event standout, attaining the highest heat score of Round 1 (14.44) and earning the day's highest wave score (an 8.00) in Round 2.
"This morning the conditions reminded me of the waves at home in Venezuela and I am very happy to have won both my Round 1 and Round 2 heats," said Bellorin. "I have high expectations for myself this year because last year I placed third here (in Acapulco) and I want to come back even stronger to see if I can win it this year."
Bellorin will be a competitor to watch throughout this event and is determined to better his result from last year. The regular-footer is also looking to break the QS top 100 barrier--he is currently sitting at No. 117.
Another solid performance came from former WCT (World Championship Tour) competitor Pedro Henrique (BRA). The 2000 World Junior Champion posted the second highest heat total of the day (14.27) in the Round of 160. After more than a three-year break from any ASP competition, Henrique seems to be picking up right where he left off.
"After close to four years of only kitesurfing, I think it's time to get back to surfing," said Henrique. "I've been training a lot and am excited to have the chance to be back. This is my first time here and I am enjoying it a lot."
Henrique is no stranger to the fierce competition of the QS and says he is focused to start gaining points and work toward getting back on the elite Tour. A good result at this event could jumpstart his campaign and provide a much-needed bump in the series ratings.
Another notable showing came from Alex Chacon (BRA) in Heat 15 of Round 2 where he tied Bellorin's 8.00 on his first wave, putting together a nice double-up right with a few solid turns and an air to finish it off.
"There were a lot of good waves out there. That wave came to me right away as the heat started," Chacon said. "I surfed it just normal and got that air and I didn't know the score until the end. I struggled for my second wave, but I got a little one and I am just stoked to get through."
The Surf Open Acapulco is scheduled to run from July 8-12 and will be live via webcast at www.surfopenacapulco.com. Check out the ASP event site for full results.
Alex Chacon
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Surf Open Acapulco
The 4-Star Qualification Series event concluded with high-scoring performances, and saw a first-time victor.
Quarterfinalists are decided as the swath of surfers competing in Playa Revolcadero's 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco is whittled down.
Action heats up on Day 3 of the ASP 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco.
Competition marches through Rounds 3 and 4 at the ASP 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco at Playa Revolcadero.
ASP 4-Star Surf Open Acapulco returns to the punchy beachbreak of Playa Revolcadero in Acapulco, Mexico.