The Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro 2025, presented by Corona Cero, has delivered a thrilling spectacle of high-stakes surfing, marked by significant upsets and standout performances. The iconic Brazilian break has tested competitors, leading to unexpected eliminations and the emergence of new talents.
Key Takeaways
- Top seeds faced early exits, shaking up the rankings.
- Emerging surfers showcased impressive skills, setting new standards.
- The event highlighted the unpredictable nature of professional surfing.
Marquee Eliminations and Upsets
The women’s field saw a dramatic shakeup as several top seeds were unexpectedly eliminated. Notably, current No. 4s Francisca Veselko and Nadia Erostarbe, along with qualification hopefuls Kirra Pinkerton and Laura Raupp, were among the prominent surfers to exit the competition early. This upheaval created opportunities for other athletes to advance.
In the men’s division, the Round of 32 witnessed significant upsets as well. Current No. 8 Dimitri Poulos, despite an excellent debut in the Round of 64 with a heat total of 14.33, was later eliminated in the Round of 32. This mirrors the unpredictable nature of the event, where even highly-ranked competitors can face early departures.
Rising Stars and Standout Performances
Amidst the eliminations, several surfers have made their mark. Peru’s Sol Aguirre, a multi-World Junior Championships contender, found her rhythm early, securing an early heat win to advance to the Round of 32. On the women’s side, Luana Silva, a 2024 event Quarterfinalist, demonstrated her Championship Tour (CT) caliber, advancing with a strong performance. Her heat against recent CT qualifier Tya Zebrowski was a highlight.
For the men, Cauã Costa secured a major win against Samuel Pupo with a buzzer-beater, eliminating Dimitri Poulos and former CTer Imaikalani deVault. Other notable performances came from Ian Gentil, Jackson Baker, and Eli Hanneman. The Kaiak Wave of the Day was awarded to Levi Slawson for his Round of 64 debut, though he later faced elimination in the Round of 32. The Dr. Peanut Top 5 Moments of the Day recognized Luke Thompson, Slawson’s strong start, Pupo’s last-minute heroics, local wildcard Taina Hinckel, and an insane performance by Ikeda.
A Defining Day in Saquarema
Day 3 of the Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Presented by Corona Cero proved to be a defining moment for the competition. Buzzer-beater dramatics, powerful surfing displays, and intense heat matchups characterized the day. The event continues to showcase that fortune favors the bold, and the unpredictable nature of Saquarema’s waves is setting a new standard for the competition.
Sources
- Round of 48: Peru’s Sol Aguirre sears through Saquarema start, World Surf League.
- Women’s top seeds upheaved, Saquarema Pro witnesses marquee eliminations I Corona Cero Post Show Day 3 |
World Surf League, World Surf League. - Round of 32: Luana Silva brings CT firepower to Saquarema Pro, World Surf League.
- Highlights: Banco do Brasil Saquarema Pro Presented by Corona Cero – Day 3, World Surf League.
- Round of 64: Dimitri Poulos strikes with an excellent debut, new standard set at Saquarema Pro, World Surf League.
