Closer to the title, day 6 of the Eurosurf Junior in Santa Cruz was the longest day of the event, with the first call at 6h30 and the final at 7h30.

Day 6 of the Eurosurf Junior in Santa Cruz was the longest day of the event, with the first call at 6h30 and the final at 7h30. In between, a 7 hour hold because of the heavy fog that, once again, paid a visit to all the western coast of Portugal.

Still, there was enough action for some important developments, notably the elimination of four Portuguese riders (Manuel Pirujinho (under 16 boys), Afonso Pinto (under 18 boys), Sofia Matos (under 16 girls) and Miriam Julião (under 16 girls).

On the other hand, and concerning the title race, Spain lost only two riders, which gives the current European junior champion a more comfortable leadership of the ranking, since Portugal was the second in the race. Still, with these results, France overtook Portugal for second.

Aritza Aaratxaga, the Spanish team manager puts it all in perspective: “We are in a good position. Will not call it ‘excellent’ but a good one. We lost Alfonso Suarez e Alejo Valido that are very important in our team, but we still have Carla [Morera de la Val] in the under 16, Hans Odriozola and Dylan Donegan that is surfing very well, all in the main event so we aspire to win. But it will all be decided in the last day of the Eurosurf Junior.”

England and Italy also have a word to say in the podium discussion so it will all be decided in the next couple of days with Friday being the final’s day.

You can check all results in detail at www.eurosurfing.org.

 Replays...

All pictures by Tiago Segurado for Ocean Spirit/ESF.