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> News > Frederico Morais and Johanne Defay Claim MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing Titles

surfing News

Frederico Morais and Johanne Defay Claim MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing Titles

The winners of the MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing 2020, Frederico Morais and Johanne Defay, at Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira, Portugal, October 1. Image credit: / WSL / Poullenot

Thursday, October 1, 2020

The MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing wrapped up today with the victories of local hero Frederico Morais (PRT) and Champion Tour star Johanne Defay (FRA) in good three-to-four foot surf at Ribeira d’Ilhas. The pair overcame World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) respectively in the event’s finals this afternoon.

Concluding three days of great surfing conditions, Ribeira d’Ilhas pumped long rights for some of the world’s best surfers to put on a show on Finals day.

Frederico Morais Upsets World Champion and Wins on Home Turf

Frederico Morais (PRT)’s win ratio on home soil just got even higher as he added another incredible win to his resume, this time besting none other than the reigning World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) in an exciting Final the Portuguese surfer dominated.

“It’s always good to win at home,” Morais stated. “It’s been an amazing few days and super fun to be around. To be back in the water competing against Italo, Kanoa, Aritz, Afonso.. It was a pleasure and I’m stoked to come out with a win.”

Johanne Defay Goes Back-to-Back, Claims MEO Portugal Cup Title

The women’s Final was a close affair between World No. 8 Johanne Defay (FRA) and Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) but once again the Championship Tour star found an edge to overcome the the Basque surfer and stamp her authority. Defay did not exactly dominate all week, but she always found the resources and used her vast experience to climb all the way up the leaderboard comes finals day.

“It was great for everyone to put the jersey back on,” Defay admitted. “Just to check where we are in our surfing and competitively. It was a great couple of weeks and I’m happy to wear the Jeep yellow jersey for the first time in my life. I have great memories of starting my junior career here and it was great to be back.”

A two-time winner on the Qualifying Series in 2019, Erostarbe once again proved she has what it takes to battle at the highest level and her result in Portugal will undoubtedly raise her confidence levels before next season.

“I really enjoyed the contest,” Erostarbe said. “Johanne is such a great surfer and it was a dream to have a heat with her. It was great to be back competing here and in Anglet.”

World’s Best Affirm Rank and Dominate Euro Cup

They came in ranked number one and wearing the Jeep yellow leader jerseys for a reason, Italo Ferreira and Johanne Defay definitely proved they deserved all the honors and attention as they proved consistently stronger than their opponents. Defay’s back-to-back wins and Ferreira’s win and runner-up combination were all the proof needed of their supremacy through the last two weeks.

“Congrats to Frederico on winning the event at home, it’s incredible and I’m really happy for him,” Ferreira said. “It was great to make the final again and it’s been a fun two weeks for me. Now I look forward to going home and starting my training for Pipe and next season.”

Charitable Event Supports Oceano Azul Foundation

The Euro Cup of Surfing’s charitable aspect was designed to help local communities fight the issues that matter most to them. While in France the WSL and its athletes supported the protection of a forest struck by a devastating fire last summer, in Portugal we decided to donate the US$20,000 to the Oceano Azul Foundation. Their mission is to contribute to a productive and healthy ocean through literacy, conservation and training. The World Surf League and the Oceano Azul Foundation share the same vision: a healthy ocean is essential for the development of humanity.

This event streamed LIVE on worldsurfleague.com, the WSL app, and Fuel TV, you can watch replays of all individual heats or catch up on entire days of competition on WSL platforms.

The MEO Portugal Cup of Surfing is supported by MEO, Tourism of Portugal, Portuguese Waves, Jeep, EDP, Hertz, Buondi, Oceano Azul Foundation, with official broadcast partner Fuel TV.

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING MEN’S FINAL RESULTS:

1 - Frederico Morais (PRT) 15.60

2 - Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.33

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS:

1 - Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.27

2 - Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 13.34

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING MEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.06 def. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 8.36

SF 2: Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.00 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 12.73

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING WOMEN’S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:

SF 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 11.33 def. Anat Lelior (ISR) 9.70

SF 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 13.50 def. Yolanda Hopkins (PRT) 12.97

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING MEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 14.97 def. Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 11.00

QF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.90 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 12.84

QF 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.26 def. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 12.54

QF 4: Frederico Morais (PRT) 16.83 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 12.50

MEO PORTUGAL CUP OF SURFING WOMEN’S QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:

QF 1: Anat Lelior (ISR) 11.07 def. Camila Cardoso (PRT) 5.80

QF 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.84 def. Carolina Mendes (PRT) 12.74

QF 3: Yolanda Hopkins (PRT) 13.46 def. Pauline Ado (FRA) 11.17

QF 4: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 13.93 def. Teresa Bonvalot (PRT) 12.27

About the WSL

The World Surf League (WSL), established in 1976, is the home of surfing. The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

The WSL is a global organization, headquartered in Santa Monica and with regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA. The WSL possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation, and performance at the highest levels.

The WSL is comprised of Tours & Events, celebrating the world’s best surfers across all disciplines and annually running more than 180 global contests and crowning the undisputed World Champions across all divisions; WSL WaveCo, where innovation meets experience; and WSL Studios, which offers best in class storytelling across competition, lifestyle, and conservation.

For more information about WSL, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com