Special coverage presented by Sails of Change

Peruvians Miguel Tudela and Sol Aguirre won the Sails of Change Cup which concluded today on another day of perfect lefts at Tongo Reef, San Cristóbal, Galapagos.

In the men's final, Tudela, who had just beaten Manuel Selman in the semis, excelled against Brazilian Ryan Kainalo, scoring 17,5 (9,5 +8) versus 16,40 (8,9+7,5).

For his 9,5, Tudela combined a high aerial in the first section with several radical maneuvers. Kainalo fought until the end but with that wave, the Peruvian buried him.

“I’m happy with the win, but the truth is that the final was quite difficult, because Ryan (Kainalo) started very well. But I worked up the courage to try to catch good waves and I managed to get that aerial, which gave me a high score (9,50),” Miguel Tudela told the WSL after getting out of the water.

“I am happy to win a QS again and it is amazing to be able to compete in waves as good as these. It was important to show the potential of this place and I just have to thank all the organizers, all the people here in this incredible paradise. I also want to thank everyone from Peru, who was supporting me, sending messages and especially my mom, because tomorrow is Mother's Day and ¡Arriba Perú!,” he added.

Selman finished third, tied with Vitor Ferreira.

Among the ladies, Sol Aguirre confirmed her status as favourite by surfing waves similar to those at home, attacking the lefts incredibly and beating Mimi Barona in the grand final. The score was 15,25 (7+8,25) to 9,9 (5,15+4,75).

Tied for third place were Ecuadorian Genesis Borja and Brazilian Isabela Saldanha.

“I can’t believe it, I’m super happy to win my first QS and I can only be thankful for this moment, with the sea, with the waves and with such good competitors, like Mimi (Dominic Barona),” said Sol Aguirre after winning. “Being able to be in such a beautiful country, seeing such beautiful places, was incredible. In the semi-final I just wanted to surf without thinking about anything, but now in the final I focused more and I’m super happy. I want to thank all my sponsors, my family who always supports me and all the Peruvians who are watching. I just want to represent my country well, so thank you,” said the Peruvian.

The regional tour now continues through Bahia, where stage 4 of the tour begins this Thursday. Then it travels to Iquique, Chile, where the first QS 17 of the season and the first juniors will take place from the 22th to the 3000nd.

This is how the regional top 10 was:
Men
01: Santiago Muñiz (ARG) – 1.650 points
02: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) – 1216
02: Gabriel André (BRA) – 1.216
04: Leo Casal (BRA) - 1.150
05: Alejo Muniz (BRA) - 1.000
05: Miguel Tudela (PER) - 1.000
07: Vítor Ferreira (BRA) - 860
08: Rodrigo Saldanha (BRA) – 855
09: Manuel Selman (CHL) – 850
10: Alonso Correa (PER) - 800
10: Messiah Felix (BRA) – 800

Ladies
01: Daniella Rosas (PER) – 1.650 points
01: Domingo Barona (ECU) – 1.650
03: Taina Hinckel (BRA) – 1500
03: Sol Aguirre (PER) – 1.500
05: Isabela Saldanha (BRA) – 1.200
06: Melanie Giunta (PER) – 1.000
06: Genesis Garcia (ECU) – 1.000
08: Nairê Márquez (BRA) – 995
09: Rodriguez Arena (PER) – 950
10: Kiany Hyakutake (BRA) – 945