The athlete was knocked out of the “last 16” round by Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, where the Olympic surfing competitions are being held.

Algarvean surfer Yolanda Hopkins’s hopes of advancing to the Olympic surfing quarter-finals were dashed yesterday as she was knocked out of the third round, featuring the “last 16” surfers. The Faro-born athlete lost to Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy in the eighth heat in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia.

The competition was halted due to unfavourable weather conditions in French Polynesia, which allowed Yolanda Hopkins to recover from a concussion sustained in the second round. Once it resumed, the Portuguese athlete managed to secure 9.90 points (6.33 and 3.57) but fell short compared to Hennessy’s 12.34 (7.67 and 4.67).

Hopkins, 26, ended her second appearance at the Olympics in ninth place after being fifth in surfing’s debut at the Tokyo2020 Games.

The Algarve surfer triumphed over Saffi Vette from New Zealand in the repêchage stage, having been pushed into this round by Sarah Baum from South Africa and Caroline Marks from North America, who holds the world champion title.

Hopkins’ teammate, 24-year-old Teresa Bonvalot, was eliminated from the competition in the repêchage round. After her ninth-place performance in Tokyo2020, she finished in 17th place in her second Olympic appearance.

The Paris2024 surfing competitions are being held in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia, more than 15,000 kilometres from the French capital.