Special coverage of Olympic surfing is presented by Surf City Swellboards, Chris Sal, Milan Surfboards, Vissla, WINGS Pro Tour, Capi Bar y Chivipizza - Cover photo: ISA/Reed 

Things did not go well for Brisa Hennessy in her series against Caroline Marks, the conditions were slow and quite close. The American quickly found a good forehand that was worth 6,83, which she then backed up with another forehand that paid off with 5,67.

Brisa, on the other hand, took a while to find good waves with opening walls. She quickly executed two maneuvers to receive a 4,83, needing a 7,67 that she never achieved. Her backup score was 2.

The series was decided by 12,5 to 6,83.

In an interview in the mixed zone, the Costa Rican said: “The conditions are a bit complicated and it is definitely difficult to be in the right waves and obviously I was up against one of the best surfers in the world like Caroline. It was definitely a difficult heat, I felt like I couldn't find my rhythm out there and there weren't many waves. But I have to keep my head up high because this experience was once in a lifetime and I learned a lot.”

“I think it’s really important, even though I didn’t find it in the end, to never give up, and to find that resilience and to be relentless, that’s my ultimate goal. With all the different losses, there are a lot of times you want to give up but I think it’s about how you react to the situations when you lose. I think you have to be inspired, determined and grateful to be a surfer,” he added.

Asked if she felt like giving up on everything, Brisa clarified, visibly emotional: “No, it’s not necessarily about wanting to give up on everything, sometimes you obviously feel bad. There are different moments in your life, and I know that after this defeat, after so many defeats this year, in fact, you feel the fire a little more.”

The Costa Rican concluded the note by sharing that she was sad, that she is human and that from time to time one has to express one's feelings.