The podium of the 2017 Pull&Bear Pantin Classic Galicia Pro.
Credit: © WSL / Masurel
PLAYA DE PANTIN, Galicia – Spain (Saturday, September 2, 2017) – The Pull&Bear Pantin Classic Galicia Pro culminated today with the victory of Coco Ho (HAW), 26, over Caroline Marks (USA), 15, in two-to-three foot surf.
Despite a near-disappearing act from the waves, the women’s final day was full of surprises and crowned the 2017 Champion in front of huge crowds enjoying the show from the iconic Pantin headland.
In the final, Caroline Marks was quick to take action and post a decent 6.17 in the opening minutes of the bout. Coco Ho had a slower start but after a few exchanges, found herself with priority when the first real wave of the final approached.
Starting on her backhand, the Hawaiian locked in two excellent turns right in the lip for an 8.83 and the lead. While Marks had a hard time keeping her composure under pressure, Coco continued to exploit the right sections and posted a 7.67 to put her opponent in a combination situation, and eventually take out the 2017 Pull&Bear Pantin Classic Galicia Pro. After the Pro Anglet last week, Coco Ho continued on her roll and signed back-to-back wins, adding an important 6,000 points to her 2017 QS tally.
“It’s been amazing to be back in Pantin, I can never believe how beautiful this place is,” Ho stated. “The waves have been really fun this week, and I’m stoked it’s my third time back and I finally got a good result! From the water it was insane to see so many people, so thank’s everyone for coming to support us.”
At only 15 years old, Caroline Marks claims a career-best runner-up at this level of competition, but it comes as no surprise as her season attests of the talent the Floridian-born surfer has shown. With another couple of big results under her belt, she has one foot anchored in the QS Top 6 and a potential seat on the 2018 Championship Tour roster.
“It’s been such an incredible week, I’m so blessed and grateful to my whole support crew,” Marks said. “I wasn’t really thinking about points, I’m really just trying to have fun surfing, but it’s really exciting. I’m simply just going to try my hardest in the next QS event and whatever happens, happens. I have a few trips between now and the Sally event so I’m going to keep on living the dream right now.”
In a wave-starved opening semi final, Bronte Macaulay (AUS), 23, tried to keep busy and surfed three average waves to build a low-scoring heat total of 9.60. It seemed like the right option considering her opponent did not have a score on the board halfway through the heat, but Marks came back in the heat with a solid 7 point ride. The American only needed a minor score which she easily got in the dying moments of the heat, forcing Macaulay out in equal third place in Pantin.
“It was a tricky heat with not many waves and Caroline got the one set that came through,” Macaulay said. “It was one of those heats you wish you’d done differently, but I’m super happy to have a heat against her, she’s such an awesome person and has been ripping all event!”
The second semifinal, unfortunately, suffered the same swell-plague as Ho and Silvana Lima(BRA), 32, battled for the second spot in the final. This time, the patient approach of Lima did not pay off and it was Ho’s average scoreboard that was enough for the win. The Brazilian, who posted an incredible 18.66 total in the quarters did not get an opportunity to showcase her radical brand of surfing and bowed out in equal third place.
“I always have good results here in Pantin and I love coming back!” she said. “This result is great for the points, I feel a lot more comfortable now to re-qualify for next year. ”
The next call in Pantin will convene the men at 9 a.m Sunday for the finals.
The Pull&Bear Pantin Classic Galicia Pro is scheduled from August 29 – September 3, 2017 at playa de Pantin, Galicia / Spain. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Pull&Bear Pantín Classic Galicia Pro is supported by Turismo de Galicia, Pull&Bear, Deporte Galego, Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Rural ES, Diputación da Coruña, Concello de Ferrol, Concello de Valdoviño, Mahou, Mercedes and Tag Heuer, as official timekeeper, with the additional collaboration of Siroko, Gadis, Abanca, Zumosol, Iberia Express, Artesanía de Galicia, Aguas de Mondariz, Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia, NB21, Intermax, Costa das Ondas and MagicSeaWeed among others.
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:
1 – Coco Ho (HAW) 16.50
2 – Caroline Marks (USA) 11.17
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 11.77 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 9.60
SF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) 9.67 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 6.27
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.20 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 12.07
QF 2: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 14.03 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 13.37
QF 3: Silvana Lima (BRA) 18.66 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 5.30
QF 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.93 def. Dominic Barona (ECU) 12.47
PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO WOMEN’S RD4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.67 def. Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 8.84
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 12.70 def. Minori Kawai (JPN) 10.30
Heat 3: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.84 def. Frankie Harrer (DEU) 7.40
Heat 4: Paige Hareb (NZL) 11.44 def. Chelsea Tuach (BRB) 10.93
Heat 5: Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.06 def. Brisa Hennessy (HAW) 13.34
Heat 6: Keely Andrew (AUS) 12.10 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.80
Heat 7: Dominic Barona (ECU) 11.84 def. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 10.06
Heat 8: Coco Ho (HAW) 15.50 def. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.87
UPCOMING PANTIN CLASSIC GALICIA PRO MEN’S RD5 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 2: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) vs. Marc Lacomare (FRA)
Heat 3: Jesse Mendes (BRA) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 4: Evan Geiselman (USA) vs. Miguel Tudela (PER)
Heat 5: Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 6: Andy Criere (ESP) vs. Josh Kerr (AUS)
Heat 7: Nat Young (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 8: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. Imaikalani Devault (HAW) |
