Imani Wilmot bows out of World Surfing Games

El Sunzal, El Slavador:

JAMAICA’S LONE female surfer Imani Wilmot was the first to be eliminated from the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games after failing to catch a wave in round one of the women’s repechage over at El Sunzal in Surf City, El Salvador, yesterday.

Wilmot, who surfed in heat 11 in the morning session, found the conditions tough and was unable to record a score during the 15-minute heat.

South Africa’s Danielle Powis just managed to secure the heat after coming up with a score of 9.50, while Panama’s Enilda Alonso secured second place and will move on to the second repechage round after scoring 9.26.

Dominican Republic’s Brianna Rodriquez, who was also in the heat, failed to ride a wave. For Wilmot, things just did not unfold despite improved conditions.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

“There was a lot of water moving around and I just could not get into the waves and that was my biggest challenge. I have been here and training for these exact conditions and it is very disappointing when you end up in these very conditions that you trained for and you don’t get the waves to produce the scores.”

In the meantime, the Jamaican men will have their chance to move on from the second repechage round as they get going today. Icah Wilmot will be the first out in the water as he will go in heat nine with the veteran looking to make amends for his main-round exit.

“The plan is to get out and get waves early. The key, once again, will be wave selection, but the confidence is there and I am just going to take it to them,” said Icah.

Elishama Beckford will surf in heat 15, and the Bull Bay native is feeling confident with the podium expected to be at La Bocana where he is very familiar.

“The next round I should be surfing at La Bocana which is the left and that will provide a whole lot more opportunities that will allow the surfers equal chance to showcase their talent,” said Beckford.

Rookie Javaun Brown will go in heat 18 and he is hoping that his first World Surfing Games do not end at this stage.

“I am still in the race and I can go to the final. I plan to just go out there and do my best and hope my best is good enough,” said Brown.