Portuguese surfer Frederico Morais withdrew this Sunday from the Gold Coast Pro tournament in Australia in the Challenger series (elite access circle), and after the departure of Guilherme Ribeiro the day before, Portugal was left without representatives in the men’s competition.
Frederico Morais, who recently missed the cut (mid-season) of the main circuit and was relegated to the Challenger Series, where he will try to qualify again for the world elite in 2025, began his participation in the tournament. the fifth heat of the second stage (due to rating) against the French Maxime Housseno and Charlie Quivron, as well as the Brazilian Edgar Groggia.
“Kikas” scored 12.77 points (out of 20 possible) in the two best waves (7.27 and 5.50), which is not enough to advance in the competition, as Kivront (15.00) and Ucheneau (13.56) he was surpassed, with the Portuguese athlete only ahead of Groggia (12.67).
Guilherme Ribeiro also performed well on Saturday, scoring 13.73 points (7.93 and 5.80), but behind Frenchman Charlie Quivron (14.00) and Brazilian Rafael Teixeira (13.90), ahead only of South African Daniel Emslie (11 ,67), so he also said goodbye to the race.
In the women’s competition on Saturday, Yolanda Hopkins finished second in the second heat of the first round with 13.43 points (out of a possible 20) in her two best waves (6.93 and 6.50), behind Hawaii’s Eveleyula Wong (13.64). , but beat Japan’s Nanaho Tsuzuki (11.73) and New Zealand’s Saffie Vette (10.90) to move ahead in the Australian race.
In the second round, which will feature two other Portuguese athletes (thanks to a better ranking) from the World Surf League (WSL) Teresa Bonvalot and Francisca Veselko, Yolanda will face North American Lakey Peterson in the first heat. , Bella Kenworthy and Zoe Benedetto.
“Terezinha” will meet with Australians India Robinson, Zali Kelly and Nikki Van Dijk (third round), and “Kika” will meet with Australian Sally Fitzgibbons, Peruvian Sol Aguirre and Brazilian Sofia Medina – the sister of three-time world champion Gabriel Medina (2014, 2018). and 2021) – in the eighth race.
The Gold Coast Pro is the first leg of the WSL Challenger Series, which will take place in Queensland, Australia until May 4th.
The Challenger Series gives access to the main WSL circuit, where six rounds are scheduled, one of which, the fifth and penultimate one, will take place at Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas in Ericeira from 29 September to 6 October.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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