Six Portuguese overcome storm in Caparica – Surf

36 heats were played on the opening day of the Portuguese QS

This Tuesday, the Caparica Surf Fest began, the final stage of the 2023/24 European circuit of the World Surf League. A journey marked by challenging conditions and the approach of a storm to the Portuguese coast, which resulted in 36 heats and the success of only six Portuguese surfers, while another 10 were eliminated.

After an early start with the women’s race, where Maria Salgado was the only Portuguese woman to join Teresa Bonvalot, Lua Escudeiro, Mafalda Lopes, Kika Veselko, Yolanda Hopkins, Maria Dias and Carolina Mendes in round 2, while Érica Máximo, Camila Cardoso, Teresa Pereira and Beatriz Costa fell by the wayside, the action continued with the men’s race and the first two rounds.

In the men’s inaugural round, the highlight was the performance of João Maria Mendonça, who won heat 2, with a total of 13.60 points. Martim Nunes, Afonso Pinto, Martim Fortes, Francisco Ordonhas, Afonso Antunes and Francisco Queimado also managed to progress to round 2, while Tiago Stock, Jaime Veselko and João Roque Pinho were eliminated.

In round 2 there was only time to complete 12 of the 16 heats, with João Maria Mendonça once again in the spotlight after winning heat 2, with 11.63 points, ahead of national champion Joaquim Chaves (11 points), who also continued in front.

Despite the eliminations of Afonso Pinto, Martim Nunes, Martim Paulino and Francisco Almeida at this stage, there were three more Portuguese surfers who managed to get a place in round 3: Martim Fortes, Francisco Ordonhas and also Guilherme Ribeiro, currently 11th in the ranking, which is the Portuguese best placed in the competition for places for the 2024 Challenger Series, followed by Joaquim Chaves in 15th place.

Those who could also join their five compatriots are Afonso Antunes and Francisco Queimado, who have not yet competed in their respective rounds of round 2. Therefore, the Portuguese fleet still has a total of 15 surfers in the competition – 8 in the women’s competition, where favorites Yolanda Hopkins, European champion in title and current leader of the ranking, and Teresa Bonvalot, current number 4 in the ranking, have not yet made their debut, and 7th in the men’s race.

The call for the second day of Caparica Surf Fest is scheduled for 9 am on Wednesday, with forecasts pointing to rising seas and the arrival of a strong storm, which will pose a great challenge for the race to be completed. until Saturday.

By João Vasco Nunes