Brothers Manu and Juan Fernández, Daniela Alonso, and Lola Meléndrez Secure Direct Entry to the Main Competition
Pantin, Valdoviño, August 25 – Sarah Almagro, Dani Souto, Antonio Muller, Hugo Rocha, Maxime Clarkin, and Ben Neumann secured first place in their categories in the international Para Surfing League (PSL) competition of the Abanca Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, which this year was included in the world league for the first time.
The prizes, amounting to nearly 20,000 euros in cash—some of the highest sums on the circuit—were awarded after the finals held in the waters of Valdoviño beach this afternoon, with the presence of provincial deputy Rosana García and local council member Germán Gómez.
ADAPTIVE SURFING RESULTS:
- Stand 1 (PS-S1): 1st Maxine Clarkin (FRA), 2nd Hugo Madruga (POR), and 3rd Paulo Souza (POR).
Any athlete who surfs standing with an upper limb amputation or comparable disability. - Stand 2 (PS-S2): Hugo Rocha (POR) and Dana Cumming in the men’s category, and 1st Laurie Phipps (FRA) and Zoe Smith (UK) in the women’s category.
Any athlete who surfs standing with a below-knee amputation or comparable disability. - Prone 1 (PS-P1): 1st Antonio Muller (GER), 2nd Pedro Palma (POR).
Any athlete who surfs lying down on the board and does NOT require assistance to paddle, catch the wave, and get on the board. - Prone 2 (PS-P2): 1st Sarah Almagro, 2nd Celine Roullard (FRA), 3rd Con Oehen (SUI), and 1st Antonio Faria, 2nd Pedro Palma.
Any athlete who surfs lying down on the board and DOES require assistance to paddle, catch the wave, and get on the board. - Kneel (PS-K): 1st Emma Blanchett (FRA), 2nd Rheya Same (UK), 3rd Laurie Heskes (NED).
Any surfer who surfs on their knees with an above-knee amputation, double below-knee amputation, or comparable disability. - Visual Impairment 1 (PS-VI1): 1st Ben Neumann (GER), 2nd Thomas Spetebroot (FRA).
Any surfer with COMPLETE vision impairment. - Visual Impairment 2 (PS-VI2): 1st Dani Souto, 2nd Gonzalo Rodríguez, and 1st Melissa Reid (UK), 2nd Lou Meniche (FRA).
Any surfer with PARTIAL vision impairment.
FOUR WILDCARDS FOR WSL QS 3000
On Sunday afternoon, the finals of the Galician Open of the FGS (Galician Surf Federation) were also held in Pantín, where young talents compete to showcase their skills on the waves in hopes of earning a wildcard, or direct entry, into the main competition to face the best surfers in the world.
The four male finalists were the Fernández brothers, Manuel (1st) and Juan (2nd), along with Sebastián Baamonde (3rd) and Alejo Ferreiro (4th). The top two secured direct entry into the competition.
In the women’s category, the finalists were Daniela Alonso from Vigo (1st), Lola Meléndrez (2nd), Miriam Santiago (3rd), and Cris Dellano, who finished in fourth place. The top two advanced to the main competition.
MONDAY 26th: CELTIC U-18 CIRCUIT
On Monday, the 26th, the Celtic Luso-Galician U-18 circuit will be held, with the award ceremony scheduled for 7:30 PM. Meanwhile, on Tuesday the 27th (until Sunday the 1st), the main competition of the WSL QS 3,000 will begin, with nearly 200 surfers registered, making it one of the highest participations in recent years.