Caparica Surf Fest crowned Portuguese Yolanda Hopkins and Frenchman Tiago Carrique as the new European surfing champions. After several days of man/woman fighting against the rough and unpredictable sea, with waves three meters high, the last two days were less violent and allowed the final stage of the Qualifying Series to be concluded. In the men’s competition, Tiago Carrique beat his compatriot Maxime Huscenot, in a very well contested heat with great maneuvers, and won the European title.
The Portuguese surfers were below expectations. Junior Francisco Ordonhas was the best national representative, finishing in third place. Also noteworthy is the fifth place of Guilherme Ribeiro, who guaranteed a place in the Challenger Series, the second most important competition in the World Surf Ligue.
In the women’s final, Teresa Bonvalot defeated Yolanda Hopkins: “It’s the third time I’ve won this race. The conditions were difficult, and to be able to surf like that says it all,” she said. With the points obtained in this race, Hopkins reclaimed the title of European champion, confessing that “the waves were super fun. And when you have fun you find the most unlikely waves, I was lucky and found small tubes”. The Caparica Surf Fest finalists are qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the competition takes place in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. “I’ve been spending many hours in the water trying to improve my surfing,” said the European champion.
