With her victory at the Barbados Pro last Saturday, Costa Rican Leilani McGonagle scored her third victory on the WSL world circuit, this was the first one that has any major relevance considering that her goal is to get into the CT.

The victory also meant a change of pace for the year. She had had poor results in the United States, Australia and Martinique and from one day to the next she jumped 41 positions in the QS, to now sit in 20th position in the ranking.

Basically, in the events of the rest of the year, the Costa Rican needs to add approximately 10.000 points (in four tournaments) to get into the elite. And this would be no small feat, because if she gets into the CT she will hardly miss the Olympics (half of the members are Australian and the other half American, and a maximum of two per country travel).

Returning to the event, it is known that Leilani grew up in Pavones and that she is used to excelling on lefts. In Drill Hall, where the tournament was held, she breaks a perfect left that the Costa Rican knew how to fill with maneuvers to end up winning the championship.

Here's what he had to say about his victory in a brief conversation with DUKE.

How do you feel? A QS 3000 is no small feat!
Honestly, I woke up and still didn't know if it was real. It's a little hard to process but it's an amazing feeling.

It was difficult to achieve your first QS victory last year in Chile. Do you think that now that you have won it will be easier to do it again?
In surfing you lose a lot more than you win. Winning in our sport will never be easy especially now that the level is going up and up. Every girl in the events has the level to win.

How important was it that the wave was a left point? Was it similar to Pavones?
The wave wasn't exactly similar to Pavones, but it was great to be able to surf a left point. Barbados is a place that I hold dear to my heart and I think it makes me feel more confident.

How do you feel about CT 2019 and the Olympic Games?
Wow! CT has always been a dream of mine and now that we have the chance to compete in the Olympics, it's just too exciting. Every day I guide myself in the direction of becoming one of the first in the Olympics and representing my flag.

What did you think when you realized it was real, that you had won?
Pinch me? Because I still can't believe it (laughs)!