The World Surf League Championship comes to a close

The Competition had to be halted for four days. It resumed on Sunday, 23 March, for an intense finals day, at the end of which Yago Dora (BRA) and Caroline Marks (USA) were ceremonially crowned champions on Supertubes Beach.

Despite the rough conditions, the athletes managed to stun the fans with aerials and tube riding, which produced cheers from the crowds watching from the beach. Winner Yago Dora overcame a strong performance by Jack Robinson (AUS) in the quarter-finals and advanced to crush Ethan Ewing (AUS) in the semis only to meet this year’s favourite to win, Italo Ferreira, for an all-Brazilian final. Both surfers demonstrated strong performances, storming every opportunity for an “air” or “tube” despite unfavourable conditions, with Yago Dora eventually snatching the victory. “Every time Italo does something to win at the end, but this time, I found the way to win.” Declared an emotional Yago Dora after securing the championship in Supertubes.

In the Women’s division, Caroline Marks defeated the four-month-pregnant Johanne Defay (FRA) in the quarter-finals and Molly Picklum (AUS) in the semis to secure a tight victory over Gabriela Bryan (Haw) in the final.

The WSL CT will return to the Portuguese coast next year, entrusting the fantastic waves of Supertubes with the local surfers who call it home. The next stop on the WSL CT is El Salvador, where Italo Ferreira, who retains the yellow jersey, will continue his quest for this year’s championship.

For more updates and live coverage of the WSL events: www.worldsurfleague.com

With a passion for surfing and writing, Yariv Kav moved to Portugal´s wave capital from his native Israel. He was awarded a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manchester back when Oasis was still cool, and a diploma with distinction from the London School of Journalism in Feature and Freelance Writing. Loves travel, languages and human stories.

Yariv Kav