CHAMBRE D'AMOUR, Anglet / France (Sunday, August 27, 2023) - Today, Teresa Bonvalot (POR) and Tiago Carrique (FRA) won the QS3,000 Rip Curl Pro Anglet in three-to-four foot surf at Chambre d'Amour, defeating Yolanda Hopkins (POR) and Kauli Vaast (FRA) respectively in the Finals.
Stop No.3 on the 2023/24 European Qualifying Series (QS), this event navigated a tricky forecast this week but culminated in fun conditions today to brown its 2023 winners.
Teresa Bonvalot (POR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Bonvalot Fights All the Way, Posts Buzzer-Beater Win
The women's Final featured arguably the best two surfers in Europe for the past few seasons, Portuguese compatriots Teresa Bonvalot and Yolanda Hopkins (POR). The reigning event winner in Anglet Hopkins had a strong hold on the Final for most of its duration courtesy of her powerful surfing in the peaky sections of Chambre d'Amour.
But Bonvalot never stopped believing and while most her efforts came up short of the requirement, the goofy foot from Cascais got a final shot in the dying seconds of the heat and layed down a big turn to turn the heat and walk away with the win.
This result marks Bonvalot's sixth career-win and comes nearly a year and a half after her last win at the Challenger Series (CS) event in Sydney in 2022. The 3,000 QS points propelled her straight into second position in the regional rankings.
"I feel amazing," Bonvalot said. "This was a hard one to win, fighting until the last second and this is what I love about surfing, everything's still on the line until the buzzer goes. All my wins are special to me, even some of the losses are good lessons, but it's been a while since I've won so it definitely feels really good. I love competing on the European tour, all the places we go to are special to me and I've had a great week here in Anglet."
Yolanda Hopkins (POR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Hopkins Loses Anglet Title but Takes European Rankings Lead
The defending event winner in Anglet, Yolanda Hopkins continued to shine all week and looked in total control as she built a healthy heat total with her first two waves ridden in the Final. Unfortunately she couldn't build on her backup score and left the door open for Bonvalot which ultimately cost her the win.
A winner again on the QS just a couple of weeks ago in Cornwall, the 2022/23 European title holder Hopkins moves into first position on the regional rankings.
"I'm really happy with my performance," Hopkins reflected. "I was surfing at my 100% and I have no doubts about my abilities so I'm happy with where I got to and now off to try to win the next one! This one was super close and next time I'll try to make it more impactful so there's no doubt possible. I'll be using this as fuel and go smash it in the next event."
Bonvalot and Hopkins had previously eliminated Nadia Erostarbe and Tessa Thyssen respectively in the Semifinals earlier this morning.
Tiago Carrique (FRA) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Carrique Continues to Dominate, Claims First QS Win at Home
In the men's Final, Tiago Carrique and Kauli Vaast (FRA) went blow for blow in an entertaining 30-minute matchup. Both surfers exploited every section available and surfed both on the wave face and above the lip. Carrique took the lead midway through and never let go despite the Tahitian's best efforts to come back before the buzzer.
Carrique, a finalist just seven days ago in Lacanau, goes all the way this time and claims his first-ever win on the QS right at home with all his family and friends watching and supporting. This also puts him atop the regional rankings with three events in the books and a couple more to come in this summer leg.
"I'm so happy to finally win one especially after a tough loss in Lacanau last week," Carrique admitted. "I think it really helped to motivate me and get to the win here. I didn't start the final well but as soon as I got my first good wave it just put me in a good rhythm. I grew up here so I'm super happy to win with everyone around me."
Kauli Vaast (FRA) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Vaast Impresses, Comes Up Just Short for Elusive Win No.2
A standout all-week, Kauli Vaast, a winner on the QS for the first time in Morocco earlier this year, came extremely close to getting a second title to his name today. Sitting in second place with seconds on the clock, the Tahitian went for a forehand rotation on his final effort looking for a 6.70 and came up just short with a 6.67, settling for the runner-up.
"I thought I'd done what I needed but it didn't go my way unfortunately," Vaast said. "I've come here to get some points and be in the CS next year so that's a good result to get my season going. I've been coming here for a long time and have a good relationship with people in Anglet so it was nice to perform here. I kind of knew in my mind that last air wasn't going to be the score, it hurts but that's how it goes sometimes."
Vaast and Carrique dispatched Kyllian Guerin and Gatien Delahaye respectively in the Semis to advance into the Final.
With the Rip Curl Pro Anglet, stop No.3 on the 2023/24 European QS in the books, here's an updated regional rankings Top 5:
Men's European QS Top 5:
1 - Tiago Carrique (FRA)
2 - Kai Odriozola (ESP)
3 - Kauli Vaast (FRA)
4 - Gatien Delahaye (FRA)
5 - Kyllian Guerin (FRA)
Women's European QS Top 5:
1 - Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
2 - Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
3 - Nadia Erostarbe (EUK)
4 - Tessa Thyssen (FRA)
5 - Alys Barton (GBR)
Surfers will now head towards Galicia for the QS3,000 ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, starting Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
Crowds at Surf de Nuit - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Stormy Weather Forces Cancellation of 2023 Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet pres. by Rip Curl
Event officials unfortunately had to cancel this year's edition of the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet pres. by Rip Curl. A stormy front has arrived to the shores of Anglet, bringing heavy rainfall and extremely strong winds, rendering the beach front unsafe for the expected massive crowds gathered to watch the popular event.
The Rip Curl Pro Anglet was scheduled from August 22-27, 2023 at la Chambre d'Amour, Anglet / France. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Rip Curl Pro Anglet is supported by Anglet, Rip Curl, Caraïbos, Tourtel Twist, with media partners France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Europe 2.
RIP CURL PRO ANGLET MEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Tiago Carrique (FRA) 14.10
2 - Kauli Vaast (FRA) 14.07
RIP CURL PRO ANGLET WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS:
1 - Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 13.66
2 - Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 13.16
RIP CURL PRO ANGLET MEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF1: Kauli Vaast (FRA) 11.76 def. Kyllian Guerin (FRA) 11.17
SF 2: Tiago Carrique (FRA) 16.40 def. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 15.40
RIP CURL PRO ANGLET WOMEN'S SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.07 def. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 9.60
SF 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 11.63 def. Tessa Thyssen (FRA) 10.80