Watch the highlights of the 2020 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge, held at Praia do Norte, in Portugal.
The event ran in massive waves and provided nonstop action for six hours straight, showcasing the best big wave riders in the world at the unique arena of Praia do Norte, in Portugal.
Athletes were greeted by 40to50foot waves.
Kai Lenny and Lucas Chianca ended up claiming the Team Champions trophy, Lenny won Men's Wave of the Day, and Justine Dupont took the Women's Wave of the Day.
Massive crowds came to witness the event, and the safety teams efforts were paramount in keeping everyone safe in the lineup.
The Commitment Award went to the local Water Safety Team who made sure all athletes got picked up and also saved the life of Portuguese charger, Alex Botelho, who nearly drowned after being hit by a jet ski.
The new format introduced by the World Surf League (WSL) featured ten teams of two athletes, taking turns on the waves and the jet ski.
The teams surfed a fourhour expression session with no elimination stages or rules.
A rotating heat format and priority system ensured that the five teams were in the water at all times.
Each team had two, onehour heats to tow each other into the giant waves of Nazaré.
Nazaré, the "Eighth Wonder of the World," is home to three Guinness World Records men's largest surfed wave, women's biggest surfed wave, and largest kitesurfing wave.
2020 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge | Results
Team Champions: Team Young Bulls Kai Lenny (HAW) / Lucas Chianca (BRA)
Men's Wave of the Day: Kai Lenny (HAW)
Women's Wave of the Day: Justine Dupont (FRA)
Commitment Award: Water Safety Team
2020 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge | Surfers List
Group A | Heats 1, 3 and 5
Team Australia: Axi Muniain (AUS) / Mick Corbett (AUS)
Team World: Sebastian Steudtner (DEU) / Maya Gabeira (BRA)
Team Atlantic: Grant Baker (ZAF) / João de Macedo (PRT)
Team Europe: Nic von Rupp (PRT) / Francisco Porcella (ITA)
Team France: Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) / Eric Rebiere (FRA)
Group B | Heats 2, 4 and 6
Team Young Bulls: Lucas Chianca (BRA) / Kai Lenny (HAW)
Team Portugal: Alex Botelho (PRT) / Hugo Vau (PRT)
Team Justine: Justine Dupont (FRA) surfer only / Fred David driver only
Team Brazil: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) / Pedro Scooby (BRA)
Team Great Britain: Andrew Cotton (GBR) / Tom Butler (GBR)
Music Credits:
"Liberation" by Asher Fulero