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USA TEAM WINS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE 2015 VISSLA ISA WORLD JUNIOR
SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP |
 USA! for the first time in the history of the competition.
Photo: ISA/Sean Evans |
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Individual Gold Medalists: Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti (Boys U-18), France’s Tessa Thyssen (Girls U-18), USA’s Stevie Pittman (Boys U-16) and Hawaii’s Summer Macedo (Girls U-16)
Oceanside, California, October 18, 2015 – Following a historic week of competition featuring 322 of the world’s best junior surfers from 36 countries, the 2015 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship has come to a close. USA was crowned World Team Champion for this first time in the history of the competition. Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti (Boys U-18), France’s Tessa Thyssen (Girls U-18), USA’s Stevie Pittman (Boys U-16) and Hawaii’s Summer Macedo (Girls U-16) prevailed with the Gold Medals in a string of hard-fought Finals in fun and clean conditions at Oceanside Pier.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre spoke to the crowd at the Award Ceremony following the competition.
“These have been an amazing eight days where the world came together in California to compete in a true World Championship,” said Aguerre. “With 36 countries and 322 surfers, not only did we make history, but we have made friends, progressed junior surfing and bonded as part of the international surfing community. Some of theses surfers now stand a solid chance to become the first ever Olympic Surfers in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
The highly anticipated Final heats kicked off with the Girls U-16, where Hawaii’s Summer Macedo earned a total of 15 points, building a demanding lead to comfortably win the Gold Medal. Rounding out the heat were Australia’s Macy Callaghan (10.15) with the Silver Medal, Hawaii’s Brisa Hennessey (8.84) with the Bronze Medal and Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot (7.23) with the Copper. Individual Gold Medalists: Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti (Boys U-18), France’s Tessa Thyssen (Girls U-18), USA’s Stevie Pittman (Boys U-16) and Hawaii’s Summer Macedo (Girls U-16) Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti (Boys U-18), France’s Tessa Thyssen (Girls U-18), USA’s Stevie Pittman (Boys U-16) and Hawaii’s Summer Macedo (Girls U-16) prevailed with the Gold Medals in a string of hard-fought Finals in fun and clean conditions at Oceanside Pier. “These have been an amazing eight days where the world came together in California to compete in a true World Championship,” said Aguerre. “With 36 countries and 322 surfers, not only did we make history, but we have made friends, progressed junior surfing and bonded as part of the international surfing community. Some of theses surfers now stand a solid chance to become the first ever Olympic Surfers in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.” The highly anticipated Final heats kicked off with the Girls U-16, where Hawaii’s Summer Macedo earned a total of 15 points, building a demanding lead to comfortably win the Gold Medal. Rounding out the heat were Australia’s Macy Callaghan (10.15) with the Silver Medal, Hawaii’s Brisa Hennessey (8.84) with the Bronze Medal and Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot (7.23) with the Copper. “This is incredible, especially for my first time competing in the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship,” exclaimed Macedo. “People have been telling me I could do this. I never believed them but now it actually happened.” “That was a huge goal of mine and to be able to do it in this contest was amazing,” Pittman enthusiastically stated. “Representing USA was awesome. Thanks to everyone, the USA Coaches and the team for helping and supporting me. It has been an amazing week and I’m super excited about how it ended.” “This is so cool because it is my last year in the U-18 division. I got a big push from my team. They are amazing,” said Thyssen. “I am so happy to represent France. It was a really hard contest, so I am really stoked to win. I love my team and I love Oceanside.” “I’ve been doing the ISA World Juniors for so many years and this year is my last,” said Fioravanti. “I told myself I have to go all in. The final had so many good surfers so I had to go huge. I went for it and made it and I am so happy.” “It’s huge for Italy! We’re not a big surfing country. To bring this home for Italy it’s the biggest thing ever. I’m an Italian World Champion, I’m so stoked!” Watch the whole event action via webcast on demand: http://isaworlds.com/juniors/en/live/ For a full list of all results, visit: http://isaworlds.com/juniors/en/results/ For all photos, videos, news and event info, visit: www.ISAworlds.com Final Results: Boys U-18 Girls U-18 Boys U-16 Girls U-16 Final Team Standings: 1. USA – Winner of the ISA World Junior Team Champion Trophy |
