On March 30, surfers Francisca Veselko and Luís Perloiro won the first round of the Portuguese circuit, held in Figueira da Foz, beating Teresa Bonvalot and Francisco Ordonhas, respectively, in the finals.
In the decisive heat of the women's event at the Allianz Figueira Pro, ‘Kika’, two-time Portuguese champion (2021 and 2023), scored 14.75 points (out of a possible 20) on her two best waves (7.50 and 7.25), while Teresa Bonvalot, five-time Portuguese champion (2014, 2015, 2020, 2022 and 2024), scored 12.25 (7.00 and 5.25).
In the men's final, Luís Perloiro won with 16.50 points (9.50 and 7.00) over Francisco Ordonhas, who scored 14.35 (7.30 and 7.05), earning the 26-year-old his first career victory in the MEO Surf League.
In a championship marked by the high quality of the waves over three days at Praia do Cabedelo, and which included the participation of Frederico Morais, a former world top who was eliminated early in this championship, after having taken part in the world elite event in Peniche, Francisca Veselko added her eighth victory in stages of the Portuguese circuit, and her second in Figueira da Foz.
"It's a wave I really like and where I feel connected. I'm leaving here with the win. In the next round I'll be wearing the yellow jersey with my name on it, which I haven't seen for a long time. I'm starting the year the way I'd like to and it's important to maintain this consistency. Now it's time to enjoy the moment", said ‘Kika’, in statements reproduced by the National Surfers' Association (ANS).
For his part, Luís Perloiro stressed his satisfaction at finally winning a stage of the Portuguese Surf League, in what was his third appearance in a final.
"The cliché that the third time is the charm was confirmed. I'm super happy, I don't even know how to react because I've never won a championship in the highest category. The last championship I won was at U18 level, about 10 years ago, so it's an incredible feeling to win a championship again," said the athlete.
The Portuguese surf circuit kicked off in Figueira da Foz and will then pass through Porto at the end of April, Ericeira in mid-May, the Azores in mid-June, with the fifth and final stage scheduled for Peniche at the end of October.
Source: https://ofigueirense.com/