Jake Marshall posts breakout performance moves into QS Top 10

Brazil has 50% of the top 10…including top 3 places.

Barron Mamiya is the sole Hawaiian just inside the current top 10

Stop No. 9 on the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) European Qualifying Series (QS), the ABANCA Galicia Classic Surf Pro, has juggled with a tricky forecast and witnessed impressive performances from some of the world’s best surfers, culminating today with Pupo’s victory.

“I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now,” Pupo said. “I’ve had a few hard years and this feels incredible to be back on the podium and especially winning.”

The 27 year-old surfer from Sao Paulo who spent 8 uninterrupted seasons on the Championship Tour, claimed a massive result in his bid to re-qualify for the Elite Top 34 next year. This marks Pupo’s fifth victory on the Qualifying Series, each of which he has claimed at the highest-level events: two QS10,000 wins today and in 2015, as well as three “Prime” events, the former highest level of the QS.

“I feel lucky I’ve been winning the right events and at the right time,” Pupo continued. “I lost early at the US Open and since then I’ve worked really hard so it’s great that it pays off. This is going to give me so much power heading into the next two events and I’m super excited.”

The Brasilian goofy foot had a stellar path to the Final as he posted big scores in every single heat, culminating with his best performance of the whole week and an astounding 16.87 heat total, out of a possible 20.

“I’m not really sure yet if I’m going to go, I might just focus on my main goal to qualify and head to the Azores where my brother and my dad are meeting me soon,” Marshall added. “But I recognize this as a huge opportunity obviously and I’m going to have a long think about it and talk to a few people before I make a decision.”

“I’ve never even dreamed in the past couple of years to see myself in this position so I’m stoked,” Cibilic said. “I focused on my heat strategy mainly and on these little lefts I can kind of rely on a couple of power maneuvers that the judges liked so I’m happy. I did win one of my heats with an air but I mainly stick to the face and I know there’s definitely some work to be done in the air for me. I’m super excited about the next couple of events, I’ve only heard good things and I’m stoked to be able to explore more places in Europe.”

 With the completion of the ABANCA Galicia Classic Surf Pro, the global QS rankings have evolved, here’s the new current Top 10:

Global Qualifying Series Men’s Top 10:
1 – Jadson Andre (BRA)
2 – Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
3 – Miguel Pupo (BRA)
4 – Jorgann Couzinet (FRA)
5 – Matt Banting (AUS)
6 – Deivid Silva (BRA)
7 – Yago Dora (BRA)
8 – Jake Marshall (USA)
9 – Barron Mamiya (HAW)
10 – Liam O’Brien (AUS)

The next big event on the Qualifying Series is the QS6,000 Azores Airlines Pro, held on the beautiful Sao Miguel island from September 17-22, 2019.

The ABANCA Galicia Classic Surf Pro count on the collaboration of Xunta de Galicia (Turismo de Galicia, Xacobeo 2021, Deporte Galego, Galicia Calidade, Secretaria Xeral de Igualdade, Conselleria de Medioambiente), Diputacion de A Coruña, Ayuntamiento de Ferrol, Ayuntamiento de Valdoviño, Sociedad Mixta de Turismo de Ferrol, Costa das Ondas y Federación Galega de Surf; así como las firmas ABANCA, ESTRELLA GALICIA, CABREIROA, HOSPITAL QUIRON, INTERMAX, VOLKSWAGEN YAÑEZ, TAGHEUER, JOYERIA JAEL, SIROKO,GADIS, GAM, ITG Y VAZVA.

The ABANCA Galicia Classic Surf Pro is scheduled from September 1-7, 2019 at playa de Pantin, Galicia / Spain. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.