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Stand Up World Tour

Leco Salazar wins the Location X Finals & 2012 World Title

mercredi 19 décembre 2012Redaction SSS [Source RP]

In a dramatic and emotional finish here at Finlandia’s Location X Finals presented by the Moorings and in association with Starboard, the Brazilian Leco Salazar was crowned not only event winner, but 2012 World Champion here on the Stand Up World Tour.

Leco was in the bottom half of the draw and quietly worked his way through the rounds only to meet his primary adversary, Sean Poynter (Starboard) from the USA in the semi finals. In a fiercely fought out heat, Leco put on a clinic of backhand surfing, taking the win to advance into the Finals.

But it was not over yet, as Leco would have to win the event in order to secure the Title, something he did in style against fellow countryman and friend, Caio Vaz (Art in Surf Surf #Surf ). Proudly carrying the Brazilian flag up the beach that had been carried by his father before him, Leco achieved the ultimate goal of any athlete - the World Championship

Sean Poynter has to settle for vice World Champion in 2012

In a nail biting finish, Sean Poynter (Starboard) sighed a huge sigh of relief when Kai Lenny (Naish) fell short in the quarterfinals and he advanced through to the semis, but then faced what turned out to be an unsurmountable challenge in the form of Leco Salazar and his quest for the crown. With the Title at stake, Sean put it all on the line, but was unable to take down the Brazilian in the second semi final.

However, Sean’s hopes for the Title were not over until the final buzzer of the final, as a slip up from Leco in the Final would have allowed Sean to maintain his rankings lead and secure the World Title - it was that close, but it was not meant to be. The rest was history, as Sean graciously accepted defeat, and congratulated the new World Champion, Leco Salazar. Congratulations to Sean Poynter for his worthy World Championship campaign in 2012.

Kai Lenny finishes in 3rd overall and 5th in the Finals

2 x World Champion Kai Lenny (Naish) was on fire throughout the competition, posting some of the highest scores of the event, and showcasing some of the most progressive stand up paddling to date. However, in the tightest heat of the event, Kai was ousted by another on form athlete, Keahi de Aboitiz (JP Australia) from Australia, who managed to put together a strong heat and select the best waves to advance over the 2010 and 2011 World Champion by a margin of 0.07 !

As ever, Kai Lenny was a consummate professional and graciously accepted defeat, but one thing is clear - he will be back and on a mission for the 2013 season.


Voir en ligne : Press info www.standupworldtour.com


Top 10 on the 2012 Stand Up World Tour after Location X

  1. Leco Salazar (BRA)
  2. Sean Poynter (US) - Starboard
  3. Kai Lenny (HI) - Naish
  4. Robin Johnston (HI) - Mistral
  5. Caio Vaz (BRA) - Art in Surf
  6. Justin Holland (AUS) - Starboard
  7. Benoit Carpentier (FRA) - Naish
  8. Arsene Harehoe (PYF) - Rogue
  9. Mo Freitas (HI)
  10. Peyo LIzarazu (FRA)


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