The Chile World Cup will be the biggest 5-star international wave event in South America’s history, with around 100 competitors expected. The popular event was elevated to a 5-star rating for the first time in 2024, and the world’s best competitors are excited for the opportunity to showcase their spectacular aerial wave-riding moves.
IWT Wave Tour Director Simeon Glasson says, “These record-breaking numbers mean we’ll have an intense and action-packed competition for the Chile World Cup event. It’s the first time Chile has ever hosted a full 5-Star World Cup, and it’s off to a banging start as it smashes all previous records.”
The Chile World Wave event will run from April 1-12 at Matanzas and includes a heavily stacked field of 54 Men (24 Challenger Men + 26 Pro Advanced Seeds + 4 Wildcards) and 17 Pro Women, as well as significant Masters, Juniors, and Open AM divisions. Contest organizer Felipe Wedeles explains the growth: “So many new people are getting involved in the sport because of the competition. Right from the first invitational event we ran in 2005 to now, everybody gets inspired when they see the top pros ripping.” Meanwhile, Simeon adds, “The growth that the 2023 unification of the PWA and IWT tours is bringing is also a major contributor. Along with a new 5-Star global pyramid structure, the sport of windsurfing is seeing a resurgence across a wide range of demographics.”
The current forecast shows good wind and waves throughout the 12-day window, with organizers expecting some dazzling performances. Leading the charge will be 2023 Men’s World Champion Marcilio Browne and 2023 Women’s Runner-Up, Sarah Hauser. “This region has magnificent conditions for windsurfing. We have world-class waves, and the wind is so consistent,” says Felipe. An enthusiastic Simeon replies, “The competition will be so exciting. We’ve never had a 5-Star World Cup in these conditions. We don’t know who will shine.”
Follow the live competition scores on LiveHeats. The full Live Broadcast will be streamed on the IWT Wave Tour YouTube channel and the official IWT event page. Follow on social media channels @IWT_Wave_Tour and @PWAworldtour.
