Portuguese Yolanda Hopkins to be Nadia Erostarbe's first rival in Rio Pro

The Zarautz surfer will face Portuguese Yolanda Hopkins in the opening heat of the Vivo Rio Pro, the sixth event of the Championship Tour in Saquarema.

Generic image of a surfer paddling in the ocean at sunset.
IA

Generic image of a surfer paddling in the ocean at sunset.

Zarautz surfer Nadia Erostarbe now knows her first opponent for the Vivo Rio Pro, the sixth event on the Women's Championship Tour, taking place until June 27th in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro.

Her opponent will be Portugal's Yolanda Hopkins, a familiar face for Erostarbe. They previously met in a significant heat during the final of the Ballito Pro last July, a competition that marked Erostarbe's victory in the Challenger Series and a major step towards CT qualification.
Out of the five events held so far this season, both surfers have advanced to the second round three times. Notably, Nadia reached the quarterfinals in Gold Coast. While the matchup appears evenly matched on paper, winning this first-round heat is crucial for the Zarautz native, who is competing in the third heat, as she aims to remain on the CT.