Portuguese Francisca Veselko is world junior surfing champion

For the first time, Portugal wins a world junior women’s surfing title . Francisca Veselko is the owner of the feat, after winning the competition of the World Surfing League (WSL), this Friday, January 13, in San Diego, California.

Although it took place in 2023, the Junior World Cup is valid for the 2022 season. In the men’s category, the Portuguese Vasco Ribeiro was champion in 2014.

Veselko, 19 years old, defeated the American Sawyer Lindblad and pocketed the prize of 10 thousand American dollars. The title was also worth a spot in the WSL Challenger Series, but the Portuguese already participated in the category. In 2022, she finished 33rd on the circuit.

“I am impressed with the result and very happy. I came here as a guest and I just have to thank you immensely for the opportunity”, said Veselko . “I had a feeling that I would win this championship. Everything was working out with each heat, with the notes always rising with each wave. Despite being behind all the time in the final, I was feeling confident and knew I could come back. Wow, I’m so happy.”

In the final, Lindblad started ahead, with scores of 5.83 and 6.50. Veselko, who was invited by the WSL to participate in the competition and surfs backside, scored 5.47 and 4.40. However, the Portuguese managed a good wave to score 7.00 and finish with 12.47, against 12.33 of the American.

Veselko now focuses on the 2023 Challenger Series and her pursuit of an Olympic spot at Paris 2024 , as she was not one of two Portuguese surfers at Tokyo 2020 . Teresa Bonvalot and Yolanda Hopkins were at the last Olympic Games.

Laura Raupp was best Brazilian at the Junior Surfing World

Brazil’s participation ended in the quarterfinals, with Laura Raupp losing to the American Alyssa Spencer, by 7.93 against 7.60.

The men’s winner was 18-year-old Australian Jarvis Earle , who overcame American Levi Slawson in the decider. He was the sixth surfer from Australia to win the tournament.

“This event was insane waves and everyone was crashing. So, to be champion in a sea like that means a lot. I can’t believe I won,” said Jarvis Earle . “The opportunity to get a spot in the Challenger Series was definitely a big reason to participate in this event. I’ve even been doing well in the regional QS, but now I’ve secured my spot, so I couldn’t be happier”.