Each country remains in the hunt for the coveted team title following their performances amid conditions which were described as “epic” by the International Surfing Association (ISA)

The under-18 and under-16 boys were the first to take to the water on day five, with Japan’s Yuki Nakashio scoring 10.53 and Tahiti’s Warren Packett recording 13.50 - the highest two totals of their respective main event heats.

Repechage round heats then came to the fore, with the surfers bidding to wrestle their way back into the main event.

Brazil’s Raul Bormann took first place in the opening heat with a score of 9.33 and he was joined in returning to the showpiece competition by Badaoui Abderrahim thanks to his 6.37.

Germany’s Lenni Jensen and Chile’s Nicolas Canelo both bowed out of the event.

The excellent showing from the Tahitian surfers continued when Kauli Vaast connected with two solid waves to earn 15.44 points, the best managed by any athlete in the repechage round.

Costa Rica’s Esteban Chaves was also able to secure a path back into the main event.

“The top teams, USA, France, Hawaii, Japan and Australia, have put on amazing performances thus far, but the competition is still anyone’s game,” ISA President Fernando Aguerre said.

“These five teams with all of their surfers in the competition that will be looking to put it all on the line for the Gold Medals.

“We have some crucial heats and the ISA Aloha Cup on tap for the coming days, which will maintain the level of intensity and excitement in the Azores.”

Action on the São Miguel Island continues tomorrow.