Short Day of Competition at EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia

RIBEIRA D’ILHAS, Ericeira, Portugal (Sunday, September 29, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia, Stop No. 5 on the 2024 Challenger Series got underway today in clean two-to-three foot surf, but was cut short after just four heats of the Women’s Opening Round due to the slow conditions.

“We’re dealing with really big tides this week and an increasing swell,” said contest director Miguel Fortes. “The good news is that tomorrow there is a new swell and it’s going to be good all day.”

Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot Survives Opening Round

Olympian Teresa Bonvalot (POR) had to work hard to get the win after struggling to find her rhythm at the start as Ribeira D’Ilhas was still waking up. Bonvalot, currently ranked 17th on the Challenger Series rankings, has to go far in this event to make it into the top five to clinch a spot on the Championship Tour.

“There weren’t a lot of good waves in the beginning,” Bonvalot said. “The tide is dropping so the waves are getting harder. After about 15 minutes, it was only Minami (Nonaka) that had a score so I knew the heat was going to be open until the end, and then I finally found a few nice waves. It’s really cold outside, but the water is very nice for Ericeira.”

Japanese Contingent Deliver Strong Performances

Traveling together and supporting each other, the strong crew of Japanese surfers made their mark in the women’s Opening Round with Minami Nonaka, Sara Wakita, Amuro Tsuzuki and Nanaho Tsuzuki all advancing to the next round. 

Wakita scored the best heat of the day with a total of 12.17 (out of a possible 20) thanks to her impeccable wave selection, finding those fun right-hand waves that offered up a long ride and more vertical walls to fit in a handful of good turns.

Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) knew exactly what she was looking for in the Ribeira D’Ilhas lineup in Heat 4. Tsuzuki rolled into a set wave and got the best score of the day for two big hits, earning a 7.33 (out of a possible 10) that was enough to secure her the win in a low-scoring heat. The waves didn’t offer much for South African Louise Lepront, but she did all she could to advance to the next round in second place.

“It was a very slow heat,” Tsuzuki said. “I felt a lot of pressure, but I was so happy when I got the 7-point ride, I wasn’t expecting it. I’m really happy to get the win.”

In a tight heat that saw a few last-second exchanges go down, Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) did well to get the win with Noah Klapp (DEU) sneaking into second place and eliminate Anon Matsuoka (JPN). Klapp has been dominating the European Qualifying Series and made her Challenger Series debut in Ericeira and will get another chance to surf when competition resumes.

The next call will be on Monday, September 30 at 7:30 a.m. GMT+1 for a possible 8:00 a.m. start.

EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia Women’s Round of 48 Results:

HEAT 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.04 DEF. Minami Nonaka (JPN) 9.67, Nora Liotta (HAW) 8.23, Constância Simões (POR) 4.96

HEAT 2: Sara Wakita (JPN) 12.17 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 9.80, Mia Huppatz (AUS) 7.70, Saffi Vette (NZL) 3.77

HEAT 3: Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 10.33 DEF. Noah Klapp (DEU) 9.20, Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 8.86, Talia Swindal (USA) 7.50

HEAT 4: Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 9.00 DEF. Louise Lepront (RSA) 7.80, Freya Prumm (AUS) 6.83, Ariane Ochoa (EUK) 5.20

EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Estrella Galicia Women’s Round of 48 Remaining Matchups:

HEAT 5: Zoe Benedetto (USA) vs. Sol Aguirre (PER) vs. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) vs. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)

HEAT 6: Eweleiula Wong (HAW) vs. Rosie Smart (AUS) vs. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) vs. Camilla Kemp (DEU)

HEAT 7: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Leilani McGonagle (CRC) vs. Mafalda Lopes (POR) vs. Hina-Maria Conradi (FRA)

HEAT 8: Francisca Veselko (POR) vs. Taina Hinckel (BRA) vs. Jessie Van Niekerk (RSA) vs. Tya Zebrowski (FRA)