Enzo Cavallini scores event-high 9.60 while women face brutal conditions in opening round debut
Playa de Pantin, Galicia, Spain — Day 3 of the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro QS 4,000 showcased the raw power and technical demands that make this Spanish venue legendary, as women competitors entered the fray for their opening round while men’s top seeds delivered commanding performances in challenging six-to-eight-foot surf with strong currents.
Women Face Pantin’s Fury
After witnessing the chaos of the previous two days from the beach, the women’s field got its first taste of Pantin’s notorious power in the opening round. The conditions proved even more demanding than anticipated, requiring exceptional wave selection and physical endurance to avoid early elimination.
Germany’s Janina Zeitler exemplified the day’s challenges and triumphs, catching a bomb wave for an excellent 7.00 out of 10 before suffering equipment failure that nearly cost her advancement.
“Once you’re out there, there is so much water moving,” Zeitler explained. “It was so hard. I’m really glad that wave came through. It looked good, and I just went for it, and it went well, but then my leash broke, and it took me ages to get back out there. It was a roller coaster, but I’m super happy.”
Portugal’s Gabriela Dinis demonstrated tactical excellence, opening with a solid 6.33 to establish early pressure before backing it up with additional scoring to create separation from second-place Camila Cardoso (POR).
Perhaps the most impressive display of wave selection came from Germany’s Rachel Presti, who proved that quality trumps quantity in Pantin’s demanding conditions. Taking off on just one wave during the entire heat, Presti managed the power and timing perfectly to score a crucial 6.00, advancing alongside France’s Naïa Monte.
Top Seeds Deliver Championship-Level Surfing
The men’s Round of 64 featured the event’s seeded competitors, who responded to the challenging conditions with performances that justified their rankings. The judges rewarded commitment and critical positioning, with several surfers posting excellent scores through single maneuvers in the wave’s most dangerous sections.
France’s Thomas Debierre set the tone early with a massive layback turn that earned an excellent 8.50 out of 10, demonstrating the kind of progressive surfing that separates elite competitors from the field.
“That was the kind of surfing I was looking to do,” Debierre said. “It’s hard out there, so I was just going for one big turn. I’m glad I found that one, because I had an exhausting start to the heat!”
The day’s standout performance came from Enzo Cavallini (FRA), who posted the event’s highest single wave score with a near-perfect 9.60 for a single, critical maneuver. Cavallini’s approach was textbook Pantin surfing — gliding into a clean set wave and executing a massive lip-smacking turn before riding out in front of exploding whitewater.
His commitment in the critical section was rewarded with an excellent score, which he backed up with a 7.17 for an outstanding heat total of 16.77 out of 20.
“I really enjoy the bigger waves instead of the small waves,” Cavallini reflected. “It’s great, because I’m probably having the worst start to my season of my life. Yesterday, I wasn’t happy with my performance. It’s really hard to get waves out here, but when you find the rhythm, you can really enjoy it like today.”
Equipment Challenges and Adaptability
The demanding conditions tested not only surfers’ skills but also their equipment and adaptability. Cavallini revealed he broke his “magic board” during the session, while Charly Quivront (FRA) jumped on a brand new board for his heat and still managed to advance with a 13.83 total alongside Noe Ledee (FRA).
“The new board seems to be working,” Quivront said with characteristic French understatement. “I’ll be honest, it was tough out there, but it’s tough conditions for everyone. I was able to find those two good ones, sitting in the spot where I wanted to be. Those are the conditions that I feel the most confident in. When it’s big and powerful, it feels like home.”
Notable Advances and Upsets
The day saw strong performances from local and regional talent, with Dylan Donegan Dos Santos (ESP) and Hans Odriozola (ESP) representing Spanish surfing alongside international standouts Stanley Norman (GBR) and Frederico Morais (POR).
However, Pantin’s unforgiving nature claimed several notable casualties, including 2024 event winner Afonso Antunes (POR), who suffered an early exit at the hands of João Mendonça (POR) and Leonardo Apreda (ITA). The upset demonstrates how quickly fortunes can change in conditions that demand both skill and luck.
Tactical Lessons from Pantin
Day 3’s action reinforced several key tactical elements that define success at this iconic venue. Wave selection proved more crucial than wave count, with surfers like Presti advancing on single waves while others struggled despite catching multiple rides.
The judges’ emphasis on commitment in critical sections rewarded surfers willing to take risks in dangerous positions, as evidenced by the excellent scores awarded to Debierre and Cavallini for single maneuvers.
Looking Ahead
With live streaming beginning Friday on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube channel, and the free WSL app, the competition enters its most crucial phase. The next call is scheduled for Friday, August 29, at 8:00 AM GMT+2 for a possible 8:30 AM start.
As the event progresses toward the weekend, the combination of challenging conditions and elite competition promises to deliver the kind of memorable surfing that has made the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro one of Europe’s most respected QS events.
The women’s field will look to build on their opening round experience, while the men’s advancing competitors must maintain their form as the stakes continue to rise in Spain’s most demanding surfing arena.
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