By Pablo Panizo

There is nothing better than having all the angles to give solidity to a prediction. For this reason, we consulted five specialists from different areas about who would be the first Peruvian man to enter the CT.

A WSL judge, a legendary former world circuit competitor, a renowned freesurfer, a current competitor and a specialist journalist concluded that Miguel Tudela and Lucca Mesinas have the best chances, and they justified it this way.

Nino Lauro
With extensive experience as a judge for the Federación Deportiva Nacional de Tabla (FENTA), the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the World Surf League (WSL), Nino Lauro has rated all Peruvian surfers from 1 to 10, in all possible conditions. Here is his expert opinion.

Who will be the first Peruvian to reach the CT?
It seems to me that of the entire Inka Team, there are three with the greatest chances of being the first to make the CT: Miguel Tudela, Lucca Mesinas and Alonso Correa. Now, if I have to go for one of the three – and that is a bet with a series of totally subjective factors – I would go for Miguel.

What makes him the best Peruvian surfer?
As for the quality of surfers, I think the three of them are on par, and I would even add others like Joaquín del Castillo. But Miguel is the one who has been on the tour the longest and, despite being young, I think he has accumulated a bit more experience than the others. In addition, he has been having more consistent results, so much so that in recent years he has been the one who has finished the highest in the ranking.

How close (or far) are you from that qualifying moment?
I think we are close to that moment. I don't know if it will be this year, but it could be. I think that the bet that FENTA has made to send them as a group has turned out to be fundamental. It is giving them greater security and greater weight in the eyes of the other competitors and the judges. In addition, they have been trying for several years and are starting to get results. Not long ago I told Lucca Mesinas' mother that what we needed was to win an important championship, that this would make them look at them with different eyes. Now Lucca has won a 3.000-point championship in Barbados and last year Tomás won another in Arica, but they need to win an even bigger one, a 6.000 or a Prime, then they will be able to make the big leap.

Jonathan Gubbins
The Peruvian with the most tubes in the world is dedicated to chasing swells and not ranking points, but he knows his country's surfing like the back of his hand and this is what he had to say.

Who will be the first Peruvian to reach the CT?
It's a difficult question, I think they all have an excellent and even level. However, Miguel Tudela has been the most consistent in recent years and I think he is the first choice.

What makes him the best Peruvian surfer?
They are all amazing surfers. The thing is that Miguel has already had a series of good results in different conditions and has started the year very well. In addition to his good surfing, the mental side is playing in his favour.

How close (or far) are you from that qualifying moment?
It's there. Achieving a couple of important results in the primes would put me very close to achieving it. It would be incredible.

Carlos Brenes
He is the head of press for the Costa Rica Surfing Federation. Along with Peru, Costa Rica is the most serious candidate in the race to put the first Spanish speaker on the CT. Brenes closely follows the participation of Ticos Carlos Muñoz, Noe Mar McGonagle and Tomas King, and knows the performance of the Peruvians well.

Who will be the first Peruvian to reach the CT?
The #inkateam excites me a lot. The unity, the mutual support, the fixed goal and the talent they have, makes me think that the results of this are neither long nor medium term, but for now. Personally, I am very impressed by the maturity in Miguel Tudela's competitive surfing. Lucca Mesinas left me speechless the weekend he won in Barbados, but personally I like to think that Tudela is going to push harder than everyone this year. Besides, he deserves it.

What makes him the best Peruvian surfer?
Talent and maturity… Or trajectory, whatever you want to call it. The experience that Miguel shows. Not only for his place today in the Top 10 of the QS but for how he is able to get such a tube in Pipeline in an event as important as Volcom. That is the maturity I am talking about. #GoTudela.

How close (or far) are you from that qualifying moment?
He is very far away, just like all those who do not have an event with more than 3.000 points in their hands until this April. The right to feel close to the CT is to reach the Hawaiian Triple Crown [in November] with 12.000 points or more.

Magoo of the Rose
The 2007 world masters champion and seven-time national champion was one of the first Peruvians to try his hand at the world tour, back in the late 80s, and he knows how difficult it is to be among the elite.

Who will be the first Peruvian to reach the CT?
Lucca Messina!

What makes him the best Peruvian surfer?
He is not necessarily the best Peruvian surfer, but I do believe that he is the best competitor. He has already tasted an important victory and now knows the path that can lead him to repeat the success in events that favor his style, to continue adding points and reach the first division.

How close (or far) are you from that qualifying moment?
We are closer than ever. Both Lucca and Miguel Tudela have to be well focused, be consistent in their results and everything will work out. They will open the door for those who come behind them, who also have good chances.

Melanie Giunta
Ranked 29th in the women's rankings, Melanie Giunta is battling to reach the elite of women's surfing. Thanks to a calendar that includes events with both men's and women's divisions, the surfer from Punta Hermosa has been able to gain the trust of the Peruvian group and contribute her warrior spirit. As a member of the Inka Team, she is a first-hand witness of what the Peruvians are doing in the WSL.

Who will be the first Peruvian to reach the CT?
I think that everyone is capable of achieving that great dream. We are working steadily with the entire Inka Team and we have seen progress as we are all united and gain confidence in each trip. Today I think that those closest to achieving that dream could be Lucca Mesinas and Miguel Tudela.

What makes them better surfers?
I think they both have the necessary experience, confidence and surfing to beat any of the big names, they have proven it with their latest results. It's super interesting because both Lucca and Miguel are totally different people (laughs), but I think the main thing is that they both do things well and they know they are capable of beating anyone. I think that's the key point.

How close, or far, are you from that qualifying moment?
Well, you never know, but with this start to the year we have Miguel in the top 9 and Lucca in the top 12, both on the threshold of the CT. It is definitely a long road, but I think it could be quicker than we think. I know that both they and we will do everything to achieve it!