Photo: André Carvalho // Capítulo Perfeito
Capítulo Perfeito is open for business. The annual one-day, invite-only competition gathers 16 of the best surfers from around the world for a tube-riding showdown in Portugal. With the onset of the competition’s two-month-long holding period comes a final list of competitors who will make the mad dash to Carcavelos Beach to compete for the ultimate barrel and 40,000 Euros in prize money.
There were several avenues to make it on the list of surfers, starting with a mix of legendary tube hounds and former CT pros who received a direct invitation. Those surfers were Rob Machado, Nathan Florence, Michael February, Balaram Stack and Dylan Graves.
They will be joined by former event champions Anthony Walsh, Aritz Aranburu, Bruno Santos, Nic von Rupp, Tiago Pires and William Alliotti.
Photo: André Carvalho // Capítulo Perfeito
In addition to the invitees, four Portuguese surfers were selected via online voting. Over the course of five days, 18,000 fans weighed in. In the end, Pedro Boonman, Francisca Veselko, João Maria Mendonça and Salvador Vala earned their way onto the list.
World Junior Champion Francisca “Kika” Veselko will become the first woman to enter the competition in Capítulo Perfeito history. Meanwhile, up and comer Salvador Vala represents the ‘New Generation’ category for surfers under the age of 18. The surfers who did not make the cut will remain as alternates in the event of a withdrawal from the leading contenders.
One final wildcard will be assigned via trials, which will take place tomorrow at Carcavelos Beach with a 07:30 a.m. first call.
The event’s waiting period starts today and goes through March 9. However, true to its name, the competittion won’t be called on until conditions are deemed ‘perfect.’ It’s going to be a wild ride, both inside and outside the tube.
Full list of entrants:
Anthony Walsh (AUS)
Aritz Aranburu (SP)
Balaram Stack (USA)
Bruno Santos (BRA)
Dylan Graves (PR)
Francisca Veselko (PRT)
João Maria Mendonça (PRT)
Michael February (ZA)
Nathan Florence (HAW)
Nic von Rupp (PRT)
Pedro Boonman (PRT)
Rob Machado (USA)
Salvador Vala (PRT)
Tiago Pires (PRT)
William Alliotti (FRA)
Trials Winner (TBD)
Open alternates: Joaquim Chaves, Miguel Blanco, Luís Perloiro, João Guedes.
New Generation (under 18) alternates: Martim Fortes, Jaime Veselko, Simão Prazeres, Matias Canhoto e Salvador Catarino.
