Gabriel Medina (BRA) delivers highest heat total for second day in a row, Francisa Veselko (POR) posts highest Women’s total
Impressive performance from China’s Siqi Yang showcases her steep trajectory
Local hero Bryan Perez (ESA) sends world number two João Chianca (BRA) to repechage
Surf City El Salvador – June 1, 2023
A second day of fun-sized conditions provided ample opportunity for exciting performances in the 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games (WSG). Men’s Main Round 1 was completed at La Bocana, as was Women’s Main Round 1 at El Sunzal. Twelve heats of Men’s Main Round 2 were also held at El Sunzal.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Johanne Defay (FRA) posted high numbers as she opened the Women’s division for the day. Nadia Erostarbe (ESP) and Ellie Harrison (AUS) followed, both putting together great heats, while Peru’s Sol Aguirre found the single highest wave score of the day, an 8.50, for a long ride with multiple strong connections.
2022 WSL World Junior Champion Francisca Veselko (POR) collected the highest heat total of the day for the Women’s division. With one teammate, Teresa Bonvalot, already provisionally qualified for the Olympics, Velselko is competing alongside her other teammate, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Yolanda Hopkins, for a chance to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“It’s a dream of mine to be part of the 2024 Olympics in Teahupo’o. I’m here to try and get my spot and I’m really excited,” Veselko said. “I had a great time (in the heat), the water’s warm, waves are pumping and I love going right, so I couldn’t be happier.”
One of the standout performances of the day came from China’s Siqi Yang. Having competed in her first WSG in Huntington Beach in September 2022, the improvement of Yang’s surfing in just 8 months is impressive. While she was able to collect a single 6.00 ride in Huntington Beach, Yang easily won her Main Round 1 heat today with a pair of 6’s, looking like she still has plenty more to give.