The South African team were unable to defend their title and finished sixth at the 2014 Claro ISA World Surfing Games in Peru.
The triumphant Peruvian team celebrate winning the 2014 ISA World Surfing Games.
Claiming the team trophy just 62 points ahead of Australia in second were hosts Peru, with Argentina finishing in third 480 points behind. Local ripper, Anali Gomez helped her team to a gold medal by winning the Women’s division, while Argentina’s Leandro Usuna claimed gold in the Men’s division.
2014 ISA World Champs, Anali Gomez (PER) and Leandro Usuna (ARG).
South Africa were sitting fourth on the rankings after six days of competition and still had Michael February and Tanika Hoffman in the event. Unfortunately both were eliminated on Day 7 and Team SA dropped to sixth with no surfers in the event to effect the standings on the final day.
Michael February was ripping at Punta Rocas and finished ninth overall.
M-Feb was in good form early in the competition and fought his way to a spot in Repercharge Round 8, where he lost to Anthony Fillingim (CRI) and Hayden Blair (AUS). This secured the Kommetjie local ninth spot overall.
Tanika Hoffman was South Africa’s highest placed surfer.
Tanika Hoffman finished eighth overall after making it all the way to Repercharge Round 5 – just two heats away from a spot in the finals – before losing to Jessica Grimwood (AUS) and Não Omura (JPN).
South Africa did claim a medal in the end, when they finished third in the Aloha Cup tag team event behind Peru (1st) and Argentina (2nd) and ahead of Australia (4th) to claim bronze.
The SA Team had something to celebrate after finishing third in the Aloha Cup.
Check out all the results, video highlights and photos from the 2014 Claro ISA World Surfing Games on isawsg.com
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS:
1. Peru- 11,402 points, Gold medal
2. Australia- 11,340 points, Silver Medal
3. Argentina- 10,922 points, Bronze Medal
4. Costa Rica- 9,508 points, Copper Medal
5. Ecuador- 8,330 points
6. South Africa– 8,268 points
7. Chile- 7,830 points
8. Puerto Rico- 6,720 points
9. Japan- 6,540 points
10. Panama- 6,400 points
11. New Zealand- 6,352 points
12. Mexico- 6,340 points
13. Uruguay- 5,760 points
14. Colombia- 5,540 points
15. Switzerland- 4,560 points
16. Scotland- 3,952 points
17. Tahiti- 3,756 points
18. Russia- 3,456 points
19. Venezuela- 2,520 points
20. Israel- 2,280 points
21. Turkey- 1,152 points
22. Dubai- 720 points
Open Men
1. Leandro Usuna (ARG), Gold Medal
2. Anthony Fillingim (CRI), Silver Medal
3. Shane Holmes (AUS), Bronze Medal
4. Nicholas Squires (AUS), Copper Medal
=9th – Michael February (Kommetjie, RSA)
=13th – Casey Grant (Scottburgh, RSA)
=16th – David Brand (Kommetjie, RSA)
=49th – David van Zyl (Glenashley, RSA)
Open Women
1. Anali Gomez (PER), Gold Medal
2. Dominic Barona (ECU), Silver Medal
3. Philippa Anderson (AUS), Bronze Medal
4. Jessica Grimwood (AUS), Copper Medal
=8th – Tanika Hoffman (Hout Bay, RSA)
=17th – Faye Zoetmulder (Port Elizabeth, RSA)
ISA Aloha Cup
1. Peru, Gold Medal
2. Argentina, Silver Medal
3. South Africa, Bronze Medal
4. Australia, Copper Medal