Lacanau, France – In a remarkable display of surfing prowess, Portuguese athlete Mafalda Lopes clinched her second international title at the Lacanau Pro, marking her debut win outside Portugal.
Competing in the French leg of the global surfing qualification circuit, Lopes, hailing from Costa de Caparica, outperformed her rivals to secure victory in the championship heat. This win follows her previous experience in three finals, including two at the Caparica Surf Fest in her home country. Although Lopes had previously faced French surfer Pauline Ado in 2023 and lost to Teresa Bonvalot in 2021, this victory underscores her growth and skill on the international stage.
The 23-year-old Lopes showcased her competitive edge by advancing to the final after defeating Spain’s Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri. In the semi-finals, Lopes earned a total score of 10.84 points, with individual scores of 7.17 and 3.67, surpassing Etxabarri’s 9.00 points, which were comprised of 4.33 and 4.67.
In the final, Lopes faced France’s Tessa Thyssen, who scored 9.34 points with a split of 4.67 and 4.67. Lopes triumphed with an impressive 10.76 points, including scores of 5.83 and 4.93, securing her top position and the championship title.
Other notable performances included Kika Veselko, who finished fifth in the French championship but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Portuguese competitors Guilherme Ribeiro and João Maria Mendonça, who placed ninth and thirteenth respectively in the men’s tournament, were both knocked out in the fifth round.
Lopes’ victory at the Lacanau Pro not only highlights her exceptional talent but also elevates her standing in the global surfing community.
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