Costa Rica’s National Surf team finally got their boards and gear in Biarrtiz, France where they have been since Tuesday to take part on the ISA World Surfing Games.

Yesterday the organization of the event informed that the first three days of competition will be for the female competitions, so in other words Leilani McGonagle and Emily Gussoni, female representatives of Costa Rica began competition today and will continue Sunday and Monday; while the male contestants will begin their participation on Tuesday.

McGongagle and Gussoni faced opponents from Portugal, Holland, Israel and Italy in their first heats; while the male participants will start of against representatives from Sweden, Germany, Gales, Turkey and Italy.

Because of the delay with the delivery of their boards the team was only able to practice Friday afternoon. The small waves and cold temperature are the biggest challenges they will have to face.

Leilani had a strong first participation winning her first heat with a score of 14.7, 7.96 points ahead of the second place which was taken by Anat Lelior from Israel who managed a 6.74. Emily Gussoni took the second place in her heat with a score of 7.7.

Those that will like to follow the competition can do so online on the ISA website: www.ISAworlds.com the live transmission usually starts at around 7 a.m. Costa Rica time.

Information on the first round of the competition is included below as well as the results for Leilani and Emily this Saturday.

Round 1:
Female
H #12
Leilani McGonagle (CRI)  14.7
Kelly Laide (POR)  5.00
Eveline Hoott (HOL) 5.57
Anat Leilor (ISR) 6.74

H #16
Emily Gussoni (CRI)  7.7 
Valentina Vitale (ITA) 5.2
Mirna Boelsma (HOL) 8.34
Noa Leilor (ISR)  4.00

Male
H #7
Anthony Fillingim (CRI)
Michael Zaugg (SUI)
Tobias Shroder (ALE)
Mark VAughan (GAL)

H #19
Jair Pérez (CRI)
Philip Mappes (SUI)
Arne Bergwinkl (ALE)
Hasan Onat (TUR)

H #27
Leonardo Calvo (CRI)
Luca Carlisle (SUI)
Leon Glatzer (ALE)
Tunc Ucyildiz (TUR)

H #35
Jason Torres (CRI)
Swen Zaugg (ITA)
Lenni Jensen (ALE)
Harry Cromwell (GAL)