Cover photo: WSL/Marcio David

According to calculations made by DUKEsurf.com, for the first time since the creation of the three-tier WSL system (regional QS, Challengers and CT), there will be no South American or Hispanic-American men qualified for the challengers through this regional.

Those who had a chance of getting into the top 7, Nacho Gundensen, Alonso Correa and Santiago Muñiz, lost early in the event; also left was the Chilean Roberto Araki who, if he won the event, would not be able to get into the qualifying zone.

Last year, Miguel Tudela (who was South American champion) and Guillermo Satt competed through the regional competition, and the year before, Santiago Muñiz had qualified.

The only way this will change is if one of the Hispanic Americans is given the wildcard.

Tudela, last year's regional tour champion, suffered knee problems and could easily qualify as a wildcard pick.

Last year, also due to injury, Mateus Herdy was given the role.

In previous years, the WSL South America selected the next ranked player as a wildcard. That changed last year.

Among the ladies, Peruvian Arena Rodriguez is still in contention and has a mathematical chance of getting into the top 3 that qualifies for the challengers: According to Joao Carvalho of the WSL South America, Arena needs to win the event and that neither Laura Raupp nor Isabelle Nalu reach the final.

On the other hand, Carvalho confirmed that the following surfers have already qualified for the challengers: Tainá Hinckel, Ian Gouveia, Cauã Costa, Luel Felipe, Heitor Mueller and Rafael Teixeira.