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SportsPortuguese surfers Frederico Morais and Maria Salgado eliminated in Ballito Pro opening round
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Portuguese surfers Frederico Morais and Maria Salgado were eliminated in the opening round of the Ballito Pro in South Africa, which marks the start of the 2026 Challenger Series season. Morais finished fourth in heat 2 of the men's opening round with 12.50 points, while Brazilian Vitor Ferreira (15.30) and Spanish surfer Sean Gunning (14.10) advanced. On the women's side, national champion Maria Salgado, making her Challenger Series debut, finished third in heat 5 with 7.23 points, behind Australian Isla Huppatz and Costa Rican Leilani McGonagle. National representation now falls to Guilherme Ribeiro in the men's event and Kika Veselko and Teresa Bonvalot in the women's event, all of whom have direct entry into round 2. Ribeiro will face Rio Waida, Michael Rodrigues, and Sean Gunning. Veselko will compete against Laura Raupp, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri, and Alys Barton, while Bonvalot takes on Nadia Erostarbe, Minami Nonaka, and Eden Walla.
Source report
Frederico Morais and Maria Salgado were eliminated this Sunday in the opening round of the Ballito Pro in South Africa, which marks the start of the 2026 Challenger Series season.
Men's Division
Kika finished fourth in heat 2 of the men's opening round, scoring 12.50 points. Brazilian Vitor Ferreira (15.30) and Spanish surfer Sean Gunning (14.10) advanced.
Women's Division
National champion Maria Salgado, making her Challenger Series debut, finished third in heat 5 with 7.23 points. The heat was won by Australian Isla Huppatz, with Costa Rican Leilani McGonagle taking second place.
Remaining Portuguese Competitors
National representation now falls to:
- Guilherme Ribeiro (men's event)
- Kika Veselko (women's event)
- Teresa Bonvalot (women's event)
All three have direct entry into round 2.
Round 2 Matchups
Men's – Heat 4:
- Guilherme Ribeiro
- Rio Waida (Indonesia)
- Michael Rodrigues (Brazil)
- Sean Gunning (Spain)
Women's – Heat 3:
- Francisca Veselko
- Laura Raupp (Brazil)
- Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (Spain)
- Alys Barton (Great Britain)
Women's – Heat 7:
- Teresa Bonvalot
- Nadia Erostarbe (Spain)
- Minami Nonaka (Japan)
- Eden Walla (USA)
Source
RecordRegional
Part of this Story
Portuguese Surfers Compete in Ballito Pro 2026 Challenger Series in South Africa