- WSL / Damien Poullenot
- WSL / Damien Poullenot

Today the WSL presented the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa. This was the first team-oriented big wave tow-in event in the league's history. And after judging conducted by the competitors themselves, the winners have been announced:

Men's Wave of the Day: Kai Lenny

Kai Lenny Wins Men's Wave of the Day at Nazaré
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The surfer from Maui wins Men's Wave of the Day at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa.

Women's Wave of the Day: Justine Dupont

Justine Dupont Wins Women's Wave of the Day at Nazaré
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The French surfer wins Women's Wave of the Day at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa.

Team Champions: Young Bulls (Lucas Chianca and Kai Lenny)

Kai Lenny and Lucas Chianca are the Team Champions at Nazaré
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The surfers from Hawaii and Brazil are the Team Champions at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa.

The Jogos Santa Casa Commitment Award: Water Safety Team

New Format:

  • 19 big wave surfers from around the globe - 17 men and 2 women - were be paired up in tow teams.

  • They competed in a six-hour expression session with no elimination.

  • The session featured a rotating heat format and priority system that kept five teams in the water at all times.
2020 XXL Biggest Wave Entry: Kai Lenny at Nazaré, Portugal on January 14, 2020. Photo by Heavy Water Films. 2020 XXL Biggest Wave Entry: Kai Lenny at Nazaré - WSL

Judging:

Unique to this event, the final results were be determined by an athlete-led judging panel and four honors were be awarded:

  • Men's Wave of the Day
  • Women's Wave of the Day
  • Team Champions
  • The Jogos Santa Casa Commitment Award

At an athlete reception, the day's top performances were shown on the big screen, and each competitor privately voted for their favorites. The final voting tally determined the winners, as judged by their elite, heavy-water peers.

Nazare Promo Image Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa - WSL

Competitor List:

Group A: Heats 1, 3 & 5

1.Team Australia (Yellow): Axier Muniain (EUK; Regular) & Mick Corbett (AUS; Regular)
2.Team World (White): Sebastian Steudtner (DEU; Goofy) & Maya Gabeira (BRA; Goofy)
3.Team Atlantic (Brown): Grant Baker (ZAF; Regular) & João De Macedo (PRT; Goofy)
4.Team Europe (Purple): Nic von Rupp (PRT; Goofy) & Francisco Porcella (ITA;Goofy)
5.Team France (Powder): Benjamin Sanchis (FRA; Regular) & Eric Rebiere (FRA; Goofy)

Group B: Heats 2, 4 & 6

1. Team Young Bulls (Blue): Lucas Chianca (BRA; Goofy) & Kai Lenny(HAW; Regular)
2. Team Portugal (Black): Alex Botelho (PRT; Regular) & Hugo Vau (PRT; Goofy)
3. Team Justine (Pink): Justine Dupont (FRA; Regular) surfer only/Fred David driver only
4. Team Brazil (Green): Rodrigo Koxa (BRA; Goofy) & Pedro Scooby (BRA; Goofy)
5. Team Great Britain (Red): Andrew Cotton (GBR; Regular) & Tom Butler (GBR; Goofy)

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