Brazilian Woman Aims to Become Stand Up Paddle World Champion for Second Time

02/03/2015 - 09h20

Next Friday (6), Nicole Pacelli, 23, is due to compete in the Stand Up Paddle World Championship, hoping to become champion for a second time.

The sport involves surfing with the use of a paddle.

A friend and contemporary of Gabriel Medina, 21, world champion surfer, she was born in São Paulo, and it was in Maresias, on São Paulo's northern coast, where she began to surf.

Before achieving success in the sport, she explored other possibilities. She went to university to study physical education, but dropped out in the third year.

The pull of surfing was too great.

Small wonder, when one considers that she is the daughter of a big wave surfer (Jorge Pacelli) and an ex-bodyboarder (Flávia Boturão).

Her four siblings all surf, though she is frequently on the road and doesn't see very much of them. In 2014, Nicole spent eight months away from home.

Nicole grew up with Gabriel Medina, 21, who is two years her junior. They surfed together in Maresias and have many friends in common.

Ever since they were young, Nicole has recognized Medina's talent.

"He was always outstanding, very focused. He didn't go out much and he used to get up early to surf. He's a rare talent. He makes surfing look easy," she says.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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