Bajan surf star Tuach impresses, narrowly falls in La Marginal final to McGonagle
Key Points(5)
- The pristine four-to-six-foot waves in Arecibo set the stage for high-caliber performances, with both Tuach and McGonagle delivering thrilling runs that kept spectators on edge.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The final saw a tight battle between the seasoned QS standouts.
- Tuach took an early lead with a modest score advantage, managing a 5.67 out of 10.
- However, the last five minutes of the heat brought an intense showdown as McGonagle capitalized on her forehand strength, posting a heat-best score of 7.83.
- But, I’m happy to have gotten there, and it was good to surf that final with Leilani.
- We joked it was one for the old girls after the Super Girl was all the young girls doing really well, so it was fun.
Chelsea Tuach, Barbados’ first-ever World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) qualifier, proved she remains a formidable competitor, advancing to the women’s final at the La Marginal event after an impressive week of surfing.
The 28-year-old displayed her signature backhand power in Puerto Rico, skilfully navigating the challenging waves and ultimately securing her spot in the final, where she faced Costa Rican surfer Leilani McGonagle on Sunday.
Tuach’s path to the final saw her outperform Olivia Storrer (USA) in the semi-finals, establishing her as a leading contender at the Qualifying Series (QS) 3000 event. The pristine four-to-six-foot waves in Arecibo set the stage for high-caliber performances, with both Tuach and McGonagle delivering thrilling runs that kept spectators on edge.
The final saw a tight battle between the seasoned QS standouts. Tuach took an early lead with a modest score advantage, managing a 5.67 out of 10. However, the last five minutes of the heat brought an intense showdown as McGonagle capitalized on her forehand strength, posting a heat-best score of 7.83. In a final attempt to reclaim the lead, Tuach had one last opportunity but fell just short, leaving McGonagle to claim the victory.
Reflecting on her near-win
Reflecting on her near-win, Tuach said, “Getting into the final and getting second, you’re asking yourself why does it feel good and kind of suck at the same time. But, I’m happy to have gotten there, and it was good to surf that final with Leilani. We joked it was one for the old girls after the Super Girl was all the young girls doing really well, so it was fun. I think we used to be a bit jealous of the Australia and Asia QS, but the schedule for us this year is amazing. To have an event here, in Pismo, and multiple QS 3000s – it’s just amazing. I’m looking forward to keeping this momentum going.”
McGonagle, who celebrated her second major QS win in the Caribbean, expressed gratitude for her support team and the Costa Rican community. “I’m just really grateful to all my team and want to thank my family who always supports me,” she said. “It was tough at the start getting a set on the head and being out of position, but I’m stoked to get that one. I respect Chelsea so much, and it was special to share that final with her.”
As Tuach and McGonagle look to maintain their momentum, both will head to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where they’ll compete this weekend in another key Qualifying Series event.
In the men’s final, Dimitri Poulos claimed victory over Taro Watanabe, marking his second career QS title as he continues his pursuit of requalification for the Challenger Series.
