<strong>Bruno Santos to defend the title against world-class contenders chosen by the fans. Voting period ends on Saturday.</strong>

CASCAIS (January 11, 2016) – The 5th annual<strong> Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong</strong>, the original one-day<strong> barrel-oriented</strong> surfing competition taking place in <strong>Portugal</strong> every winter, has announced the <strong>2016 candidate and wildcard list</strong>. With a holding period raging from <strong>January 17<sup>th</sup> </strong>to <strong>March 17<sup>th</sup></strong>, the event will gather some of the best tube riders in the world at the famous <strong>Praia do Norte</strong> (Nazaré) for a full day of competition in <strong>perfect, hollow waves</strong>.

As in its previous editions, Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong final contenders in 2016 will be chosen by the public through <strong>online polling</strong>. Fans are thus given the opportunity to <strong>vote for their favorites</strong> (within a list of candidates previously formulated by the event organizers according to tube riding criteria), having the final say at who will actually compete.

<em> </em>Attended by Portuguese surfers exclusively for the first three editions, Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong opened up its doors to foreigner (non-Portuguese) surfers last year in an unprecedented show that led to a very emotional win for <strong>Bruno Santos</strong>, who entered the contest as a replacement for his fellow countryman, murdered in Brazil just a few weeks before, <strong>Ricardo dos Santos</strong>. Now, the event organizers are raising up the bar by calling surf fans around the world to choose <strong>six out of twelve</strong> internationally known surfers to take part in this year’s Perfect Chapter edition. The six (6) most voted international surfers by the end of the voting period, alongside with the six (6) most voted Portuguese athletes,  will be the ones having a shot at one of the most desirable surfing titles in Europe today.

<strong>The online voting is already taking place at </strong><a href="http://2017.capituloperfeito.com/"><strong>capituloperfeito.com</strong></a> and will go on until next <strong>Saturday (including)</strong>, the final results being officially released the day after (January 17<sup>th</sup>).

Also, Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong is increasing the event prize money in 2016, setting it up to <strong>20,000 euros</strong>. This means we will soon be watching some of the best tube riders in the world battling it out for substantial amounts of money and glory at Praia do Norte ― and <strong>you hold the final word regarding who the contenders will be</strong>.

Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong 2016 was presented today in a press conference taking place in Lisbon, featuring interventions by <strong>Rui Costa</strong>, the event organizer, <strong>Walter Chicharro</strong>, Mayor of Nazaré, <strong>José Francisco Neves</strong>, Allianz Market and Communications Manager, <strong>Aécio Flávio Costa</strong>, Billabong’s Marketing Manager in Portugal, <strong>Rodrigo Herédia</strong>, Surfer’s Commissioner, and the athletes <strong>Tiago Pires</strong> and <strong>Nic von Rupp</strong>.

“In 2016 we’re heading to a surf spot unanimously acknowledged by surfers as a perfect waves destination. This wouldn’t be possible without the support from our sponsors and specially Nazaré Council, which allowed us to raise the prize money and welcome some of the best free surfers out there. We were kind of surprised to see all of them knew about Perfect Chapter already and were immediately willing to accept our invitation, allowing us to take the last step towards internationalization. By giving Portuguese athletes another chance to challenge some of the best surfers in the world, we hope to keep raising the performance level among surfers in Portugal”, <strong>Rui Costa</strong> said.

“For the second year in a row Allianz joins Perfect Chapter as naming sponsor. This is a winning partnership that reinforces Allianz’s commitment to surfing and helps setting us as one of the most supportive brands in Portugal towards the sport and its athletes”, <strong>José Francisco Neves</strong> stated.

“Over the last years Praia do Norte reached international recognition for its huge waves. However, we can only grasp the true dimension of the place if we acknowledge the versatility of the conditions it can offer to anyone willing to practice all kinds of sea sports in perfect waves of all sizes. It is extremely important for Nazaré to host this event, which is a recognition of our waves’ value, but also of the work we have put on to develop Praia do Norte as a brand”, <strong>Walter Chicharro </strong>said.

Former World Tour surfer, <strong>Tiago Pires</strong>, the winner of the 2013 and 2014 Perfect Chapter editions, <strong>Nic von Rupp</strong>, and the former Big Wave World Tour contender, <strong>João Macedo</strong>, are among the Portuguese surfers up for polling, right next to internationally known barrel masters such as <strong>Alex Gray</strong> (EUA), <strong>Bobby Martinez</strong> (EUA), <strong>Bruce Irons</strong> (HAW), <strong>Damien Hogbood</strong> (EUA), <strong>Eric Rebiere</strong> (FRA), <strong>Felipe Cesarano “Gordo”</strong> (BRA), <strong>Koa Rothman</strong> (HAW), <strong>Marco Giorgi</strong> (URY), <strong>Miguel Tudela</strong> (PER), <strong>Pedro Vianna “Scooby”</strong> (BRA), <strong>Ryan Hipwood</strong> (AUS) and <strong>Wade Goodall </strong>(AUS).

They are all having a chance at joining the wildcards <strong>Bruno Santos</strong>, winner of the previous edition, and <strong>Bruno Grilo</strong>, fearless local charger. Two final wildcards are being held by the organization to “rescue” <strong>two athletes among those left out by the public</strong> (one from each category), providing some of the less popular surfers the opportunity to also take part in the competition.

Starting from next Sunday surfing forecast will be closely monitored by experts to make sure the event goes down on the best day of European winter (offering the best barreling conditions). Surfers are notified of the event status within only a <strong>72 hours’ notice</strong>.

This is a unique opportunity to witness some of the best surfers of our times competing at their best. It is up to you to choose the stars of this unforgettable adventure ― go to <a href="http://2017.capituloperfeito.com/"><strong>capituloperfeito.com</strong></a> and vote for your favorite!

The <strong>Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong </strong>is sponsored by Allianz, Billabong, Nazaré City Council, Kia 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>Allianz Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong 20016</strong>

<strong>CANDIDATES</strong>

<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Portuguese Surfers</span></strong>
Alex Botelho
Filipe Jervis
Francisco Alves
Ivo Cação
João Guedes
João Macedo
José Ferreira
Marlon Lipke
Miguel Blanco
Nic von Rupp
Ruben Gonzalez
Tiago Pires

<strong>International Surfers (Non-Portuguese)</strong>
Alex Gray
Bobby Martinez
Bruce Irons
Damien Hogbood
Eric Rebiere
Felipe Cesarano “Gordo”
Koa Rothman
Marco Giorgi
Miguel Tudela
Pedro Vianna “Scooby”
Ryan Hipwood
Wade Goodall

<strong>Wildcards</strong>
Bruno Santos (winner of the previous edition)
Bruno Grilo (local wildcard)
International Surfer (rescue wildcard)
Portuguese Surfer (recue wildcard)