Similar to Ayaka, when Joana won her title in 2017, she also became the first of her country to do so. “Last year was really funny because I didn’t think I would win the world title in the beginning of the year. ” says Joana, “I started really bad in Chile but then I won Sintra, which was a huge event in points so it was a big deal winning it.
Recently, Ayaka returned from training at a notorious Mexican beach break in Puerto Escondido to prepare herself for the power at Praia Do Norte. “That helped me a lot,” says Ayaka, “because when I started the World Tour they went to a lot of places where there are heavy waves, or closeout sections, or big shore breaks.
Portugal was on a high in 2017 after high-flying action at last year’s Nazaré Pro when local legend To Cardoso won the comp in fine style and Joana Schenker from Sagres became the first Portuguese riders to wear the world title crown in the history of surfing.
McDaniel didn’t have the best result here last year but this year he has a shot at the title, needing to win the contest to come out on top in the overall race. “It is my first time being in a position to win a world title.
Read more here: The Inertia
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