.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Ezekel Lau Claims Second VANS World Cup Title in Epic Fashion
Nicolas Leroy
The QS10,000 VANS World Cup of Surfing wrapped up today in dramatic fashion with careers on the line and challenging conditions even for some of the best surfers in the world. Here's a breakdown of today's main stories.
FINAL:
The four surfers spent a total of two hours competing in gigantic Sunset surf throughout the day and you could really tell who handled it best by the time they hit the lineup for the Final.
Hawaiian powerhouse Ezekiel Lau did not seem bothered at all and his fitness was clearly a massive advantage over the competition. He started with a decent wave to take an early lead and quickly changed gear to post a 7.33 on a two-turn combo, walking away with his second VANS World Cup of Surfing title.
"It's incredible, I'm back!," he said. "It took me a while to find my stride again, this is the tell all of the tail. I've been working so hard lately I'm just happy everything came together. My boards, Channel Island Surfboards have been working incredible, Britt Merrick's been working with me very closely and I just want to thank everyone that supports me, my family if their watching at home, I love you guys, I'm just so stoked."
Joan Duru, Jesse Mendes and Griffin Colapinto struggled to stay on their feet and despite good efforts, always ended up engulfed by the Sunset thick lips, only posting low scoring rides.
Mendes managed to find a better option and posted a 5.30 to take the runner-up spot. Duru had to settle for third place and Colapinto fourth.
Qualification Stories:
We've detailed the final rankings in this article: The QS Bell Just Rang, Find Out Who Passed, but here's basically what happened:
Kanoa Igarashi dominated the QS. Griffin Colapinto, Seth Moniz, Ryan Callinan and Peterson Crisanto broke the 20,000 points bar and qualified safely. Deivid Silva followed closely.
Ricardo Christie took a massive jump with his 3rd place at Haleiwa and despite a relative early exit here at Sunset, made it for a second year on tour in 2019.
Leonardo Fioravanti, Jadson Andre, Jesse Mendes and Soli Bailey were all subjects of dramatic finishes at the VANS World Cup. And finally, Jack Freestone has an outside shot at getting a spot on tour if Lau and Colapinto manage to qualify through the CT.
VTCS Rookie:
20 year-old Brasilian Weslley Dantas received the coveted VANS Triple Crown of Surfing Rookie Award during today's crowning ceremony. With a 65th at the Hawaiian Pro and a 7th at Sunset, Dantas claimed the best run for a first-timer in the prestigious Hawaiian events. He also finished his season ranked 21st on the QS, so will definitely be another force to be reckoned with in future qualifying seasons.
The last remaining rookie in contention at Sunset, Alonso Correa unfortunately had to withdraw from Round 4, to travel home and fly the Peruvian flag in his national team for the Pan American Surfing Games.
VTCS Champion:
The race for the VANS Triple Crown of Surfing Champion title continued and Joel Parkinson 's exit in Round 4 opened the door for a few surfers before the final event at Pipeline.
Jesse Mendes moved ahead of Parkinson and Lau moved into third position, making for an epic clash just down the road when the Billabong Pipe Masters gets underway.
Check out all the photos, videos and recaps from Sunset right here!
Ezekiel Lau
Final Challenger Series Spots on the Line in Paradise
Check every 9 since 2018 as we gear up for a return to the North Shore at the Lexus Pipe Pro presented by Yeti. Featuring Kelly Slater,
As we approach the fourth stop on the Challenger Series tour at the 2023 Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico in Southern
Ezekiel Lau, currently below the cut line, unleashes in the Opening Round with a 15.60 (8.00 + 7.60) to seal his spot in the Round of 32
Oahu's Ezekiel Lau sits down with A.J. McCord before the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal to discuss his roller coaster of a year, from qualifying
Vans World Cup
Why, after 35 years, this is still the trophy every surfer wants to own (next to a World Title).
Jessé Mendes foi vice-campeão para garantir sua permanência na elite e Jadson André também confirmou o seu retorno ao CT.
The Hawaiian claims the title over Jesse Mendes, Joan Duru and Griffin Colapinto in the the last QS event of the year at Sunset Beach.
Upsets and Qualification Hopes Aplenty for Day 3
Onze brasileiros competiram na quarta-feira em Sunset Beach e sete passaram suas baterias.