Today, Mafalda Lopes and Marco Mignot won the Caparica Surf Fest 2023, final stop on the 2022-23 European Qualifying Series (QS), in clean 2-to-3 foot surf at praia do paraiso in Caparica, Portugal.
The day started right on low tide as a little push of swell was reaching the shores of Caparica and waves started to wrap around the sandbanks nicely. With only six heats remaining on finals day, pressure was at an all time high for surfers still in contention in Caparica.
It was the search for a first-ever event win for some, the regional QS title or qualification for the Challenger Series (CS) for others, everyone had huge hopes for a successful Saturday in Portugal.
Mafalda Lopes (POR) - WSL / Pedro Mestre
Caparica Local Mafalda Lopes Wins First QS Right at Home
One of the standouts all week, Mafalda Lopes confirmed today with a dominant performance both in the Semis and in the Final to claim her first-ever QS win at her local break. The powerful goofy footer made the Final here back in 2021 but had to concede against Teresa Bonvalot. Today she got a second opportunity and seized it brilliantly to take the win.
"I really needed this victory," an overwhelmed and emotional Lopes said. "I have no words to describe this feeling. This is the best place to win my first contest with my family, friends, sponsors, everyone here to support me. I was more connected to the ocean than last time and I've worked more so maybe it was just meant to be today."
In the Final, Lopes chose the best waves and unleashed her aggressive backhand turns on the punchy rights to score two excellent numbers 8.33 and 8.00 (out of 10), peaking right at the perfect time on the final day of competition.
The 22 year-old's best result to date has pushed her up to 7th on the European QS rankings, which means she unfortunately missed out on qualifying for the CS for 2023. Now a winner on tour, she will undoubtedly come back fired up when the QS season starts again this summer.
Pauline Ado (FRA) - WSL / Pedro Mestre
Pauline Ado Continues Run of Form in Portugal
Coming off a runner-up at the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay, former Championship Tour (CT) surfer Pauline Ado put on another strong campaign together in Caparica this week to reach the Final for the second time in as many events. A QS winner for the last time in 2020, Ado's return to the winner's circle will have to wait just a little longer as she couldn't quite match Lopes' rhythm and flair in the Final.
"I haven't had the best heats this week so I was happy to find a better rhythm on finals day," Ado reflected. "I regret letting her go on that wave when I had the priority and she got the 8, maybe it could have gone differently, but I'm still very happy to make the Final. Making the Challengers was my main goal so I'm excited to go again to international events in great waves."
Comfortably in second place on the regional rankings for the 2022-23 season, Ado will be surfing in the upcoming CS and have another chance at joining the World's Best next year.
Marco Mignot Goes on Rampage, Claims Event Win and Regional Title
Coming in ranked 6th in Europe, Marco Mignot sort of flew under the radar so far this year on the European QS, but made sure to go out with a bang at the last stop of the season. The Frenchman went on an absolute tear all week, and looked untouchable, especially in the Final where he could not fall, placing incredible turn after incredible turn in the critical sections of the waves.
"What a beautiful week in Caparica and I feel blessed with such a good heat in the Final," Mignot said. "I was prepared to surf that little wedge and I just had a lot of fun. Vasco has been an inspiration from a young age and I knew he was capable of coming back in the heat. I'm stoked to have shared the Final with him. I started the week tense because of the rankings and when we got to the Quarters I started to relax a bit and that's when I put out my best surfing. Winning the European title was totally unexpected when I got here so it's just icing on the cake and I'm stoked to put my name on the list of surfers who've won it."
Mignot posted an insane 17.80 combined heat total (out of 20) in the Final to claim his career-second QS event after Lacanau in 2019. His result today propelled him all the way to the top of the regional rankings and Mignot, a former European Junior Title winner, now has graduated to the Men's European QS Title.
Vasco Ribeiro (POR) - WSL / Pedro Mestre
Vasco Ribeiro Places Runner-Up in First Event Back
The former World Junior Champion and a perennial threat at any event he enters, Vasco Ribeiro took some time off competition last year and came back in full form this week. His signature powerful carves were a sight for sore eyes in the beautiful rights of Caparica and Ribeiro lit up the crowds every time he entered the lineup all the way into the Final.
"Sometimes you need to take a step back to go forward again," Ribeiro stated. "It's great to be back and to feel like my surfing is back consistently. To surf in front of family and friends in Portugal is obviously very special. I knew stepping back there was a chance I'd miss out on the Challengers but I'm fine with it, I'll just keep working and come back stronger."
Yolanda Hopkins (POR) - WSL / Pedro Mestre
Yolanda Hopkins Caps Off Fantastic Season with Regional QS Title
The 25 year-old surfer from Algarve, Yolanda Hopkins placed equal 3rd in Caparica and will continue to search for a first win on home turf in Portugal. She however clinched her first regional QS title after an incredibly consistent season where she has won three times, in England, France and Morocco more recently. She will lead the European crew in the coming CS and after making the Quarterfinals as a wildcard on the CT in Peniche, sounds determined to make her qualifying effort count in 2023.
"Being the European Champ is incredible," Hopkins said. "I've been chasing that title for quite some years. I've always wanted to be on the CT so to get that first experience was amazing. My goal is to qualify for the CT and the Olympics this year. I think it's possible and I'm going to keep working hard and give my all to represent Portugal."
European Qualifiers for Challenger Series Confirmed
19 surfers will have the privilege to represent Europe in the upcoming 2023 CS. Here's everyone that made the list:
Men's QS rankings qualifiers: Marco Mignot, Kauli Vaast, Tiago Carrique, Jorgann Couzinet, Justin Becret, Marc Lacomare and Adur Amatriain.
Gatien Delahaye and Joan Duru have also re-qualified through their 2022 CS rankings (inside Top 20). Frederico Morais has a spot as well as a 2022 CT surfer who failed to re-qualify.
Women's QS rankings qualifiers: Yolanda Hopkins, Pauline Ado, Carolina Mendes and Ariane Ochoa.
Teresa Bonvalot and Vahine Fierro have also re-qualified through their 2022 CS rankings (inside Top 10). Francisca Veselko has a spot in the CS courtesy of her World Junior Champion title.
WSL Europe also has two wildcards to award (one man, one woman), which will be announced shortly.
With the completion of the Caparica Surf Fest 2023, the 2022-23 European Qualifying Series season is in the books, here are the final rankings:
2022-23 European Men's Qualifying Series Top 10:
1 - Marco Mignot (FRA)
2 - Kauli Vaast (FRA)
3 - Joan Duru (FRA)
4 - Tiago Carrique (FRA)
5 - Jorgann Couzinet (FRA)
6 - Gatien Delahaye (FRA)
7 - Justin Becret (FRA)
8 - Marc Lacomare (FRA)
9 - Adur Amatriain (EUK)
10 - Timothee Bisso (FRA)
2022-23 European Women's Qualifying Series Top 10:
1 - Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
2 - Pauline Ado (FRA)
3 - Francisca Veselko (POR)
4 - Carolina Mendes (POR)
5 - Ariane Ochoa (EUK)
6 - Lucia Machado (CNY)
7 - Mafalda Lopes (POR)
8 - Tessa Thyssen (FRA)
9 - Camilla Kemp (DEU)
10 - Marion Philippe (PYF)
The 2023 Challenger Series will get underway on May 6, 2023 at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro. The 2023-24 European QS season will start at Boardmasters Open in August.