<strong>Forecast does not call for perfect conditions in Nazaré within the waiting window</strong>

The 2016 Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong organization has decided today to extend the event’s holding period, which was supposed to end on Thursday, until <strong>April 30</strong><strong>th</strong>. The expectations were high for the last two weeks on the event’s original calendar, with several considerable swells hitting <strong>Praia do Norte in Nazaré </strong>(event site), but <strong>the waves size and winds direction did not aligned in order to produce the perfect, hollow waves which are the trademark of this unique competition</strong>.

According to the event’s official forecaster, the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, this situation will remain for the next couple of days, making it impossible for the organization to run the event on perfect conditions within the waiting window. Although <strong>the sandbanks at Praia do Norte are at this point favorable to the formation of big hollow barrels a few meters from the waterside</strong>, one cannot expect the other variables to match up in order to fulfill the event’s motto: <strong>the best surfers on the best waves</strong>.

Specifically, the event’s organizers are looking for solid <strong>6+ feet waves </strong>and <strong>consistent East winds </strong>(the Nature’s formula for epic conditions at Praia do Norte) that could provide <strong>a full day of competition</strong>. This has not been the case for the last couple of months, though, which can be explained by the fact that 2016 has been one of the strongest El Niño years, with Portugal facing winds mainly from West and North quadrants. The organization has thus decided to extend the waiting period, relying on full support from the event’s sponsors and partners.

“This was a no-brainer for us since we would not be able to run the event in the kind of conditions that would allow us to honor our commitment to the athletes and surf fans around the world”, the <strong>event’s organizer Rui Costa </strong>said. “Also, having some of the greatest tube riders in the world on our list raises up the bar on responsibility pretty high, since most of them will be taking long flights to Portugal in the hopes of attending this competition in epic conditions.”

“When we mention perfect events, we must contemplate the definition of perfect. At Allianz, we know the meaning of perfection and this is why we have supported the organization last year when they decided to extend the event for an extra day, and that is also why we are supporting them now to lengthen the event’s holding period. It’s

because of decisions like this, brave and unerring, that Perfect Chapter has always been perfect”, <strong>José Francisco Neves</strong>, <strong>Allianz </strong>Market and Communications Manager, stated.

“On behalf of Billabong and Despomar, I convey our absolute support for this unprecedented decision from our longtime partner and Perfect Chapter’s organizer, Rui Costa. We hope the right day comes along loaded with great waves, countless barrels, hands up, so we can all write one more chapter on surfing history”, <strong>Aécio Flávio Costa</strong>, <strong>Billabong</strong>’s Marketing Manager in Portugal, said.

The quest for perfect waves will resume next <strong>Monday (March 21</strong><strong>st</strong><strong>) </strong>in order not to overlap Perfect Chapter with the Portuguese surfing championship’s first event, taking place next weekend in Ericeira.

Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong is a unique event where participants are <strong>chosen by the fans </strong>through online polling, giving people the opportunity to vote for their favorite surfers. In 2016, the event took a great leap towards internationalization by allowing foreigner (non-Portuguese) athletes to fill up half of its draw. Soon enough <strong>Nic von Rupp, Tiago Pires, João Guedes, Francisco Alves, Miguel Blanco, Alex Botelho, Bruce Irons, Pedro Vianna “Scooby”, Miguel Tudela, Marco Giorgi, Damien Hogbood and Bobby Martinez </strong>will be joining the wildcards <strong>Bruno Santos</strong>, <strong>Ruben Gonzalez</strong>, <strong>Koa Rothman </strong>and local charger <strong>Bruno Grilo </strong>at Praia do Norte in a quest for the perfect wave.

The event will be webcasted live at perfect-chapter.com. Stay tuned!

The Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong is sponsored by Allianz, Billabong, Nazaré City Council, Kia, MEO and it is associated with the media partners RTP, Fuel TV, Jornal i, Mega Hits, SURFPortugal, Beachcam, Surf Session, Fluir, Waves and Surfing Life.

<strong>THE SURFERS </strong>

Nic von Rupp

Tiago Pires

João Guedes

Francisco Alves

Miguel Blanco

Alex Botelho

Bruce Irons

Pedro Vianna “Scooby”

Miguel Tudela

Marco Giorgi

Damien Hogbood

Bobby Martinez

Bruno Santos

Bruno Grilo

Ruben Gonzalez

Koa Rothman

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