World Skate Games Italia 2024: Raicca Ventura claims women's park skateboarding title
The 17-year-old Brazilian posted a table-topping 93.73 on her second run to finish in first ahead of Japan's Kusaki Hinano and Spaniard Naia Laso in Ostia, Rome.
Skateboarding
Brazilian skateboarder Raicca Ventura was the picture of joy after a sweeping victory in the women's park world championship final at the World Skate Games Italia 2024 on Sunday (22 September).
Despite suffering a big slam not 24 hours earlier in the semi-finals, the Paris 2024 Olympian opened with an arresting 89.68 first run score to lead the eight-woman final at The Spot skatepark.
Ventura then found another level on her second run, peppering it with upgrades including switching out an indy nose bone for a kickflip indy over the hip for a 93.73 score and a tighter grip on first place.
After bailing on the first trick of her first run, 2023 world silver medallist Japan's Kusaki Hinano responded to the rising stakes with a 89.58 score on her second, to jump straight in behind Ventura.
Kusaki then had the opportunity to overtake the Brazilian on the final round of runs after Ventura bailed on her last try. Though stringing together a much-improved line, featuring a 540 and a freshly added kickflip indy, the Japanese's 91.44 wasn't enough to change her lot.
The last skater with the chance to disrupt the provisional podium was the top qualifier Naia Laso.
Appearing to battle through nerves throughout the final, the Spaniard eventually found her smile after her last run was awarded a 90.14. The score secured her third place and cemented Ventura and Kusaki in first and second.
Away from the podium, Sugawara Mei, Hasegawa Mizuho, and Kaihara Asahi secured fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively for Japan. First-time finalist Nana Taboulet of France finished in seventh ahead of Britain's Lilly Strachan in eighth.
With her title victory in Rome, Ventura matches the efforts of her compatriot Rayssa Leal, who was victorious last weekend in the women's world street final.
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Results from women's park skateboarding final at World Skate Games Italia 2024:
- Raicca Ventura (BRA) - 93.73
- Kusaki Hinano (JPN) - 91.44
- Naia Laso (ESP) - 90.14
- Sugawara Mei (JPN) - 88.56
- Hasegawa Mizuho (JPN) - 86.45
- Kaihara Asahi (JPN) - 85.14
- Nana Taboulet (FRA) - 82.49
- Lilly Strachan (GBR) - 51.47