Carlos Muñoz won the second QS of his career and the first of his life at home, today in Jacó, where he finished the 1500 Essential Pro Costa Rica. The event was a Costa Rican party, with Noe Mar McGonagle in second and Jairo Pérez in third.

Among the women, the champion was the American naturalized German, Rachel Presti, who beat Puerto Rican Tia Blanco in the grand final in second place. In third place was the Spaniard Leticia Canales, tied with the American Meah Collins.

Even though only one Costa Rican woman made it into the top eight (Rubiana Brownell), the local men made up for it and in Jacó, the capital of Costa Rican surfing, there was a day of celebration. The last international event held there, the ISA Games, was won by an Argentine, and the 2016 Esterillos QS was won by an Australian. With a packed beach and the country's greatest idol winning, the celebration was felt.

The result puts Muñoz back in the top 50 and he will travel to Hawaii with 6950 points, needing two finals in Haleiwa and Sunset to get into the CT.

“I'm happy to win. I had a final in Spain recently and I didn't manage to surf very well. Now with Noe Mar I tried not to let the same thing happen to me. I caught a lot of waves and unfortunately Noe Mar didn't. He looked for lefts and the tide was quite full,” said Muñoz after winning.

On the podium, both Muñoz and McGonagle highlighted the importance for them of having a QS event at home again.

Complete results
Men 
1- Carlos Muñoz
2- Noah Mare McGonagle
3- Jairo Pérez and Lucca Mesinas
5- JJ Lopez, Chauncey Robinson, Wesley Leite and Luel Felipe

Ladies
1- Rachel Presti
2- Aunt White
3- Leticia Canales and Meah Collins
5- Valentina Resano, Candelaria Resano, Thesa Thyssen Rubianna Brownell