Peruvian Olympians Rosas and Mesinas Stand Out in Race for World Surfing Games Gold Medals

Huntington Beach, USA

Competition intensified on day six of the ISA World Surfing Games (WSG), as some long lulls tested the mental strength of the world’s best surfers.

Fewer waves on offer led to fiery moments in multiple heats, most notably between Olympians Dominic Barona (ECU) and Teresa Bonvalot (POR) in Main Round 4.

Meanwhile, fellow Olympian Daniella Rosas (PER) backed up the big numbers of yesterday with another significant heat win. The 20-year-old Olympic flag bearer already knows what it’s like to represent her country at the highest level.

“My main goal is going to Paris 2024,” Rosas said. “I love ISA’s competition. I love representing Peru. Just trying to be focused and get it.”

Rosas advanced into Main Round 5, Heat 1 to join Bonvalot and teammate Yolanda Hopkins (POR), along with Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), for an exact repeat of the 2021 ISA World Surfing Games Final, which will be surfed tomorrow morning.

The power pair of Bonvalot and Hopkins have kept pace with USA’s Gabriela Bryan and Kirra Pinkerton, to solidify Portugal and USA as the only two nations to have more than one surfer left in the main draw on the women’s side.

Kolohe Andino (USA) and Nat Young (USA) continue to make the host nation proud as the only team with two surfers left in the men’s Main Round, but the loss of Griffin Colapinto (USA) in Repechage Round 7 dealt a major blow to the team.

Team Brazil can thank the Pupo Brothers, Miguel and Samuel, for providing their current rankings lead, as the two held on in the repechage with clutch performances in the dying seconds of their individual heats.

Mihimana Braye (FRA) has registered multiple moments of brilliance to remain the last man standing for defending champions Team France, but team ranking hopes for the coveted Olympic slot are now dashed for the men. Their women’s team, on the other hand, have managed to stay in equal first place with Australia, thanks to 2022 Outerknown Tahiti Pro semifinalist Vahine Fierro (FRA) sneaking through a very tight battle in the repechage.

Career-best form gives Mesinas the edge

In an early heat filled with current and former CT surfers, Olympian Lucca Mesinas (PER) dominated from the outset. Jackson Baker (AUS) brought a strong challenge, but event standouts Samuel Pupo (BRA) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) were left in combination situations for a good portion of the 25-minute heat and were sent to the repechage rounds.

Playing to his strengths by flowing through three huge backhand blasts, Mesinas collected a 9.57 for the highest single wave score of the event, backing it up with a 7.60 for the highest heat total of the event (17.17). The former WSG silver and bronze medalist knows it’s a long road to the final and he wants to drape a different color around his neck.

“If I make this final, I’m either going to go one hundred percent, like I’m going to do big stuff so I can get first this time, or if not I will get fourth I don’t care,” he said. “I just don’t want to get the same result as before. I want something different. I want for sure a gold medal.”

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“What an incredible day of competition. Many teams are starting to feel the Olympic qualification slot in their hands already, but the race to Paris 2024 tightens with every heat surfed. Over the course of the next two days the action will be unmissable. Tune in for every minute!”

SCHEDULE:

*Schedule subject to change by the ISA

September 23 7am PST:

Competition (Open Men & Open Women)

September 24:

– Finals Day (Open Men & Open Women)

– Closing Ceremony & Medal Ceremonies (30 mins after finals)