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SportsPortuguese surfers Kika Veselko and Teresa Bonvalot advance to Ballito Pro semi-finals
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Portuguese surfers Francisca 'Kika' Veselko and Teresa Bonvalot advanced to the semi-finals of the Ballito Pro, the opening stage of the 2026 Challenger Series circuit in South Africa. Both won their quarterfinal heats on Thursday: Veselko defeated Brazil's Laura Raupp with 12.97 points to 8.26, while Bonvalot edged American Eden Walla 9.50 to 8.83. In the semi-finals, Veselko will face Basque Ariane Ochoa, and Bonvalot will compete against Peruvian Sol Aguirre. If both win, they would meet in the first all-Portuguese final in Challenger Series history. Veselko, who also competes on the World Tour, previously won the 2025 Challenger Series opener in Newcastle, Australia. Other Portuguese winners of Challenger Series stages include Yolanda Hopkins (Saquarema, Brazil) and Teresa Bonvalot (Sydney, Australia).
Source report
Francisca Veselko and Teresa Bonvalot qualified for the semifinals of the Ballito Pro on Thursday, the opening stage of the 2026 Challenger Series circuit, currently taking place in South Africa.
Both Portuguese surfers competed in the quarterfinals and successfully advanced, keeping them in contention for the final victory and raising the possibility of an all-Portuguese final at the South African event.
Quarterfinal Results
Kika Veselko was the first to enter the water, competing in heat 2. She delivered a safe performance and secured a comfortable victory over Brazilian Laura Raupp, scoring 12.97 points against Raupp's 8.26 points.
Teresa Bonvalot competed in the fourth and final heat, facing a more balanced contest against young American Eden Walla. She ultimately prevailed with 9.50 points against Walla's 8.83 points.
Semifinal Matchups
- Heat 1: Kika Veselko will face Basque surfer Ariane Ochoa.
- Heat 2: Teresa Bonvalot will compete against Peruvian Sol Aguirre.
Should both win their respective heats, they would meet in the first all-Portuguese final in the Challenger Series circuit.
Additional Context
Kika Veselko, who currently competes on the World Tour but is seeking requalification for 2027 through this circuit, previously won the opening stage of the 2025 Challenger Series in Newcastle, Australia.
Other Portuguese women to have won stages of this circuit—which determines spots for the following year's world elite—include:
- Yolanda Hopkins, with her 2024 victory in Saquarema, Brazil
- Teresa Bonvalot, with her 2022 victory in Sydney, Australia
Source
RecordRegional
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Portuguese Surfers Compete in Ballito Pro 2026 Challenger Series in South Africa