Can Mr. Showtime make it two Rios in a row? Photo: ASP
The waiting period for the 2014 Billabong Rio Pro, the fourth event on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, begins May 7 and lasts through May 18.
The beachbreak of Barra Da Tijuca, with waves favoring a high-performance surfing approach to the barrels and ramps on offer, will be the main venue for the 2014 Billabong Rio Pro. Ever-changing conditions at Barra Da Tijuca will force all competitors to make continual tactical adjustments to their game plan in order to emerge victorious. The left-hand point, Arpoador, will be the secondary venue, and if needed, the wind-protected Canto do Recreio will be a third option.
Annually, Brazilian surf fans support the 2014 Billabong Rio Pro in large numbers and are far and away the most passionate and prideful supporters to be found among all of the ASP WCT stops. Their exuberance for their fellow countrymen in the field is admirable and provides the closest thing to a home court advantage on the ASP WCT.
Four surfers that will greatly benefit from this patriotic crowd support will be Gabriel Medina (current World #1) Adriano de Souza (current World #6), Miguel Pupo (current World #9) and Filipe Toledo (current World #19). Additionally, Jadson Andre (current World # 21) and Alejo Muniz (current World #33) will certainly find themselves feeding off the energy from the heavy partisan Brazilian fervor of energy coming from the beach.
John John Florence was unable to defend his 2012 Billabong Rio Pro title in 2013 due to an ankle injury experienced during an expression session at the 2013 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Fresh off the heels of a semifinal finish at the 2014 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, John John currently appears poised to post another big result at Brazil in 2014.
Defending event champion, Jordy Smith, arguably the most in-form surfer on the Men’s ‘CT coming into the 2014 Billabong Rio Pro, will be looking to both defend his title and improve upon his current World #12 position.
Wildcards for the men’s event include Billabong team rider Peterson Crisanto and 2013 Brazilian Professional Surfing Champion David do Carmo. Glenn Hall will compete as an alternate for Kai Otton who has withdrawn from the event as he awaits the birth of his first child.
For the women’s event, defending event champion Tyler Wright (current World #3) perhaps has the skill set and approach that best matches the rippable break of Barra Da Tijuca. Tyler’s fellow ASP competitors along with wildcard Silvana Lima, the lone Brazilian in the women’s draw, will all be battling fiercely for the 2014 Women’s Billabong Rio Pro title.
Watch all the action live or on demand here.
