Portuguese Navy promises success at Sintra Portugal Pro in Praia Grande
The 26th edition of the Sintra Portugal Pro 2022 started in the best way, with good waves, sun, a historical record of 200 entries and, icing on the cake for the national colors, excellent performance by Portuguese athletes with three Portuguese athletes first four rounds and enter the “main event” where, until Sunday, they will rub shoulders with the best in the world in Sintra waves: Stephanos Kokorelis, Ricardo Rosmaninho and Afonso Rodrigues.
A remarkable feat for those without “ranking” of the edition of Sintra Pro, which had to spend four rounds in three very Portuguese sea conditions.
Stephanos Kokorelis, bodyboard from Cascais, best known of the known lines of “waves” in heavy waves, returned to compete after years of better-known surfing.
“The last time I wore competition literature was at a European in 216. This year, I decided to go back because it is the first big competition after the COVID stop and as I live next door I decided to come and compete, relax, without goals… and here I am ”which explains the former under-16 and under-18 champion, any national status, any possible surprise of the event, is saying behind the scenes of the championship:
“Sincerely, I wrote to me because I saw that a good wave was going to come in and I like to surf the sea with a little more strength. I competed when I was younger, I did Europeans and an ISA World Cup for the national team and I got a little tired, but let’s see, I don’t have high expectations. I know that tomorrow the sea will rise and with a favorable wind, which makes me believe in an epic day.”
At the opposite pole is Ricardo Rosmaninho. Chronic born competitor candidate for a national title, the Póvoa bodyboarder of the best confessed the request of the day, but extreme postponed for final editions at the end of doing what the two ninths obtained in final occasions:
“The balance of the day is positive, there were a lot of heats, a very complicated sea, but it was possible to move on to the ‘main event’ and compete with the best. My goal is to get as far as possible. We already have two ninth places here and I hope to do better, as always.”
Finally, the third Portuguese to reach the main frame was Afonso Rodrigues. Located in Praia Grande, Afonso, 22, did not hide his enchantment with the passage to the fifth round:
“I wasn’t expecting to make it to the fifth round, I confess, because I just came to have fun. As for the conditions, the waves are ‘hardcore’ and will continue to do so throughout the week. Now it’s time to move on!”
This Tuesday, a rise of the sea is expected, with demanding but spectacular conditions for the entry of the male main frame.