Camarao Wins Pantin Classic Galicia Pro

Thiago Camarao won the QS 1,500 Pantin Classic Galicia Pro over Deivid Silva in an all-Brazilian Final.

The 35-minute matchup saw the two surfers on back-to-back waves for the majority of their exchange, with Silva taking a slight edge in the first few minutes. It wasn't until the halfway mark that Camarao found a gem in the tricky lineup, a fast righthander that reformed as a left which the powerful regular footer destroyed for a 7.83 and the lead.

Silva tried everything from manufacturing airs on the little sections to radical backhand hacks to claim the lead back but couldn't improve his situation. Ultimately Camarao's lead was enough to clinch the win in Pantin, the first QS event title of the his career.

Camarao on his winning ride. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

"It's amazing, it's my first Final on the QS and it feels really good," Camarao stated. "I believed in me and in my chances all contest. All the other guys were ripping and I really had to keep my focus and stay positive and motivated. All the hard work paid off today and I'll try to keep the ball rolling in the coming events."

"Deivid got active early and was taking so many waves," he continued. "With the conditions deteriorating I wasn't sure I was going to get the opportunity to fight back. Then I found that little double up and got the score so I stuck to him and tried to keep him off any other good wave. I'll be back to Europe soon for the two QS 10,000s and look forward to it."

Silva, who collected some of the highest scores of the entire event, including an impressive heat total of 16.67 in the Semifinals, started the Final well and was leading for a while before Camarao found his best scoring ride. Unable to repeat his earlier heroics, Silva placed runner-up.

Silva's air game wasn't enough to take the win. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

"I'm super happy to surf a Final and especially against a good friend like Thiago," Silva admitted. "This contest was super fun despite the conditions and I'm really happy to have come here to Pantin. I'm stoked for him, I wish I'd won off course but hats off to Thiago and I'll be back next year to try to win this time."

Despite leading the first half of Semifinal 1, Basque Country's Ethan Egiguren couldn't contain eventual winner Camarao's assault and had to settle for an equal third place in Pantin. Egiguren, who just graduated to the QS level this season, nets his best result so far and will build confidence from his successful run in Galicia.

Egiguren earns a breakthrough performance in Pantin. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

"I'm happy with this result, I felt really good and focused in this event," Egiguren stated. "I think I wasn't looking at the right enough and I saw too late that Thiago got some good waves while I was still chasing those lefts. I watched the other guys and the heats before mine and tried to learn a few things about placement and patience so I think I surfed a smart event and am very happy with my performance."

The second Semifinal was an intense battle with both Silva and Pedro Henrique (PRT) starting with big scores from the get go. Halfway through the 30-minute bout, though, with a solid 14.34 total Silva held a commanding lead and, despite multiple efforts to try and claim back the lead, Henrique placed equal third.

Henrique's rail game was on point. - WSL / Damien Poullenot

"I'm going to reflect on this event and find out what I did well and what I did wrong, but overall it's a great result for me," Henrique said. "It was awesome to be here with my family. We don't get to spend too much time together when I'm away so this was a nice sort of vacation trip. We're going to Morocco now and I'll try to keep my good rhythm going there too."

Following the completion of the Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) and Joan Duru (FRA) are tied in first place on the men's European QS rankings, with Juniors Nomme Mignot (FRA) and Andy Criere (FRA) as well as Vicente Romero (ESP) right behind them in the hunt for precious points at the upcoming RMSF Quiksilver Pro Casablanca at Anfaplace where the title will be decided.