Carolina Mendes won, this Sunday, an important triumph at the Pantín Classic Pro, one of the oldest surfing events in Europe and which this year closed the regional season of the European WQS.
The Galician race was also marked by the definition of European places for the Challenger Series, where the best surfers from all continents will discuss qualification for the 2022 World Tour of the World Surf League. After Vasco Ribeiro has already confirmed the qualification during the Portuguese competitions, in Pantín Teresa Bonvalot also secured a place in the women’s top 8, which gives access to these competitions, which will be disputed in the second half of the season, starting in August.
In Pantín, the final day featured four Portuguese competitors, with Carolina Mendes standing out from the rest. It all started with a quarter-final triumph against Frenchwoman Pauline Ado. A scenario that helped to define the accounts of the European title for the Basque side Leticia Canales Bilbao, after Vasco Ribeiro had also secured it at Caparica.
In the semi-finals Carol got the better of the Basque Garazi Sanchez-Ortun and, after beating two experienced opponents, in the final she faced the young Canarian Melania Suárez Diaz. Despite the opponent’s stronger start, Carolina Mendes managed to secure the victory near the end, totaling 8.17 points against 8.
“It was a difficult final, without many waves, but I’m very happy because in the end there was that wave that allowed me to win. I’m delighted to win here in Pantín, in such a special place. It’s incredible to be on the list of winners of this championship”, he said Carolina Mendes after the triumph, the second of her career in the WQS.
Another highlight was the performance of Mafalda Lopes, who finished in 5th place in the women’s competition. On the male side, Pedro Henrique was also ranked 5th, while Henrique Pyrrait finished the race in 13th place.
Despite the triumph, Carol failed to secure qualification for the Challenger Series, finishing the season 12th in the European rankings. Who also came very close to qualifying was Yolanda Hopkins, who, by finishing in 10th place in the ranking, was just one place away from securing one of the eight female surf spots for European surfers.
WQS action returns in August with the start of the Challenger Series, but also with the start of the 2021/22 regional qualifying season. Before that, Teresa Bonvalot, Yolanda Hopkins and Frederico Morais will represent Portugal in Tokyo, in the Olympic Games that start at the end of this month.
