If you wish to publicise a sporting event or a rising star contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com
Surfing
Joana Schenker has finished as runner-up in the third stage of the World Bodyboard Circuit in Chile. Despite finishing fourth in heat one, the Algarve surfer won all remaining heats but was pipped in the final by Brazilian Maíra Viana and finished second. Schenker’s fine form has seen her rise to number five in the world rankings.
The Algarve Derby
The final round of the Portuguese Primeira Liga produced a day of great drama. With Sporting Lisbon having already won the title, all eyes were on the bottom of the league, where Portimonense S.C. (Portimão) needed a win and had to hope all other results went their way. After duly beating Algarve rivals Farense (Faro) 3-1, they faced a three-hour wait to see if rivals Boavista would lose against already-relegated Vizela. However, a last-gasp penalty in the 101st minute saw Boavista equalise and send Portimão into the relegation play-offs.
Motorsport
Sebastien Ogier has made history by becoming the first driver to win the Rally of Portugal six times. The eight-time World Rally Champion sealed the win by the narrowest of margins (7.9 seconds) over Estonian challenger Ott Tänak. Veteran driver Armindo Araújo was once again the leading Portuguese driver finishing in 17th position whilst Algarvian legend Ricardo Teodósio finished in 25th place.
Basketball
The two Algarve representatives in the men’s Liga Portugal have ended their season with a whimper. Four defeats in a row saw Portimonense (Portimão) finish second bottom and suffer relegation to the national second division (Proliga). Immortal (Albufeira) finished their campaign with five consecutive defeats but will be grateful for a series of victories in mid-season as they finished eighth in the final standings. In the women’s Liga Portugal, Immortal had a successful season finishing in sixth position. They qualified for the playoffs but lost in the quarter-final to Gdessa Barreiro.
Algarve Sevens tournament
The annual Algarve Sevens tournament will take place in Vila Real de Santo António from 7–10 June. As well as the men’s and women’s rugby sevens competitions, there will also be netball, field hockey and golf tournaments. Around 70 teams from all over Europe will be competing with over 2,000 athletes expected to participate. Spectators are welcome to join in the fun and enjoy the nighttime parties on the beach.
Rugby
Loulé Rugby Club have secured another season in the mens National Division One. The Algarve side enjoyed a fine run of form in the latter part of the campaign to stay comfortably away from the relegation zone. Their next campaign will be the third consecutive season in tier two of Portuguese rugby.
RISING STAR: Carlota Carochinho
Ever since she was eight, Carlota Carochinho’s dream was to become a MotoGP rider.She has already shown her pedigree by becoming the National Speed Champion in 2020 in class 2 auto and winner of the Mini Velocidade Trophy in 2022.
The thirteen-year-old from Faro hopes to have a long, exciting journey ahead of her, but she needs the help of the public to help keep her on the track. A recent racing accident resulted in serious damage to Carlota’s motorbike and she needs to purchase a new one if she is to continue racing. Her mother, Diana, has launched a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe in an attempt to raise the €8,000 needed for a new motorcycle. If you would like to help Carlota, or perhaps you would like to be a sponsor, visit her website www.carlotacsc28.com or www.gofundme.com/f/uma-nova-mota-para-a-princesa-da-chuva
