Cover photo: WSL/Poullenot

Peru shined in the first stage of the new WSL women's regional qualifying series, which concluded today in a strong but messy sea at Praia Mole, Florianópolis. Of the eight first places, four were Peruvian representatives.

Melanie Giunta came in second, Arena Rodríguez third, and Daniella Rosas and Sol Aguirre fifth.

Giunta narrowly missed out on repeating her victory in Brazil. The final against 15-year-old local Laura Raupp was decided by 11,2 to 10,74, in which the Peruvian had the best score, a 6,17, and was three minutes behind in pursuit of a 5,03 that never came.

For her part, the young Arena Rodriguez had a good performance in the semis but was also unable to beat the eventual champion, by 10 to 8,83. In this instance, in the other bracket, Giunta defeated the former world junior champion, Summer Macedo, a Hawaiian naturalized Brazilian.

Rosas lost in the quarterfinals against Arena Rodríguez and Sol Aguirre was unable to beat Giunta.

In second place, the local Señoritas Giunta with 800 points for the ranking, Rodriguez with 650 and Rosas and Aguirre with 500 points each.

According to the change made by the WSL, the five best South American players qualify for the challengers.

The next stage of the South American circuit will take place this week in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro and will be level 3000.