Surfers Luana Silva and Taina Hinckel were eliminated in the round of 16 at the Saquarema Pro in Rio de Janeiro, during the final stage of the Challenger Series (CS) season, a qualifying division for the world elite (CT). Laura needed a semi-final to be able to dream of qualifying.

The waves were not as good as the last few days and the octave round required athletes to push themselves to ensure high scores. Luana Silva was the only Brazilian with a chance to join Tatiana Weston-Webb in the CT, but she was beaten by Sawyer Lindblad (USA) in a hard-fought series.

The American scored two scores above eight (8.00 and 8.17) and totaled 16.17, while Luana got an 8.13 in the end, but still needed to replace a 6.50, without waves, the Brazilian ended up with 14.63 and was eliminated. Silva is all but guaranteed to be in the Challenger Series next year and could challenge again for one of the five CT qualifying spots. In Saquarema, he finished in 9th position overall. Laura came out of the water crying and was supported by her team.

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Taina Hinckel, the best South American in the Qualyfing Series, which qualifies three surfers from the continent for the CS, faced the Canadian Erin Brooks in the round of 16, in conditions far from ideal, the Brazilian only managed to score as 3.80 and 3.77. (7.57) against 4.67 and 3.37 (8.04) of the opponent. Brazil no longer has any representatives in the Saquarema Pro women’s category.

The organization has already called “Off Day” this Wednesday due to the predicted low sea levels.

Ladies quarter-finals:
Pinkerton (USA) x Veselko (POR)
McCulloch (AUS) x Spencer (USA)

Erostarb (BAS) x Robinson (AUS)
Lindblad (United States)