Latest news with #ChampionshipTour
Web Release
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Jesse Mendes Joins 2025 Lineup for Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Brazilian surf star Jesse Mendes is the latest name to be announced for the 2025 Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy. A former Championship Tour contender and 2018 Triple Crown of Surfing winner, Mendes brings power, poise, and a penchant for alternative boards to the one-of-a-kind event hosted at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa. 'It's such a dream to get the call-up!' says Mendes. 'I remember I was with Adriano de Souza when he got his invitation a couple of years ago. He turned to me with the biggest smile and accepted straight away, because he said he didn't want to give Four Seasons time to change their minds! When surfers who've been going to competitions their whole lives react like that, you know an event is special. Now it's my turn and I can't wait!' With six legendary surfers riding a range of boards, and competition times staggered according to age, the Surfing Champions Trophy is as unique as it is popular with the legends who get invited. Competitors square off on single fin, twin fin and (thruster) tri-fin surfboards in the first three rounds, before the grand final is run on the surfer's board of choice to crown a champion. While 31-year-old Mendes carved out a career on the back of his powerful turns and prowess in the tube, since stepping away from full-time competition he has focussed on the more stylish side of surfing, doing so riding Album surfboards, which will serve him well at the Surfing Champions Trophy. 'Now that the pressure of the tour is gone, I only ride twin fins,' he shares. 'They are very forgiving and can generate a lot of speed, so I'm very excited for that division! I've already been talking to Matt Parker about the Surfing Champions Trophy — he's shaped boards for Josh Kerr and Coco Ho here before. We've come up with a few ideas together. He knows what to do; I just need to surf!' While the surfing takes centre stage, the experience at Kuda Huraa runs far deeper, something Mendes is keen to savour. 'I've been to the Maldives before and loved it,' he says. 'But to come back again and surf perfect waves with only two other people out, in a different and fun format, is the best. As for Four Seasons, bring on the food! Nothing beats surfing all day long, then coming back to an amazing meal, with my wife, on a paradise island.' From the flawless right-handers of Sultans to the laid-back luxury of the garden island, the Surfing Champions Trophy is as much about the setting as it is the surfing. Guests staying at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa during the contest can catch all the action from the Resort's luxury surf vessels, stationed beside the competition lineup for front-row viewing. With Mendes and Craig Anderson now confirmed, the excitement is building for a surf showdown like no other. Three more international invitees, plus one Maldivian wildcard, will be announced in the coming weeks. Make Every Wave Count with The Surf's Up Package Whether catching the very first swell or chasing the perfect carve, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa invites guests to ride, relax, and repeat. The Surf's Up package pairs expert coaching from Tropicsurf pros with guided surf excursions to some of the Maldives' most iconic breaks, all from the comfort of the idyllic island base. After a morning on the waves, restore body and mind with daily yoga and a rejuvenating massage at The Island Spa. The package also includes daily breakfast, round-trip speedboat transfers, top-tier surf gear, and more.
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Japan's O'Leary beats world No. 1 Dora to take first surfing tour win
Japan's Connor O'Leary won his first World Surf League Championship Tour title at the Corona Open J-Bay in South Africa on Friday. O'Leary had the event's only 10-point ride in the semifinals as he knocked out three-time J-Bay winner Filipe Toledo, before beating another Brazilian in world No. 1 Yago Dora in the final. The Australian-born O'Leary only rode three waves but racked up scores of 8.17 and 7.50 in his second and third runs, giving him a two-wave total of 15.67 of a possible 20, well clear of Dora's 14.23. "All the stars aligned for this one, so I'm stoked. It felt good to have so many people cheering for me, and then to perform for them," said O'Leary, a goofy-footer, or one who stands with his right foot forward. "I intended to do some of the best backhand surfing you've ever seen, and to compete with a fellow goofy in the final, hopefully it inspires other goofy-foot surfers that they can compete against the best in perfect right-hand point breaks." World No. 2 Gabriela Bryan won the women's event with a hard-fought victory over Australian world No. 1 Molly Picklum, totaling 13.60 with efforts of 6.67 and 6.93 to outdo Picklum's opening 7.67. Picklum finished with a total of 13.34. "I came here early, putting in a lot of time here, and it paid off. I'm so stoked. It's been a dream of mine to win here at J-Bay. It's an iconic wave and one of my favorites in the world," Hawaii's Bryan said. The tour next heads to Tahiti. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-take-all final in Fiji. Picklum, Byran and Caity Simmers (U.S.) have qualified for the women's event, while only Dora has sealed his spot in the men's competition.
Kyodo News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Surfing: O'Leary victorious at J-Bay, becomes Japan's 2nd tour winner
TOKYO - Connor O'Leary claimed his maiden title on the World Surf League's Championship Tour on Friday at South Africa's Jeffreys Bay, joining Kanoa Igarashi as Japan's only winners on the elite circuit. Australia-born O'Leary, whose Japanese mother Akemi is a former pro surfer, beat overall season leader Yago Dora of Brazil in the final at the Corona Cero Open J-Bay. The 31-year-old O'Leary rode only three waves but scored 8.17 and 7.50 for his two best attempts, logging at total of 15.67 points. Dora was more active, taking seven waves, but could only tally 14.23 points in the 10th event of the season. Two fifth-place finishes had been O'Leary's best results this season. To even have a chance at the win, O'Leary had to spectacularly save his semifinal with a last-ditch 10-point wave that featured a barrel and several big whipping turns to beat Brazil's Filipe Toledo. Igarashi, who has two runner-up finishes this season and won on the tour in 2019, lost in the quarterfinals but remains third in the overall standings with one event left. O'Leary chose to represent Japan in 2023 after watching the sport's debut at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, motivating him to compete at the Paris Games. He went out in the third round along with Igarashi in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia, where the 2024 Olympic competition was held. Their compatriot Reo Inaba reached the quarterfinals.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING (SLS) BRINGS CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TO CLEVELAND WITH SPOT TAKEOVER AT NORTH COAST YARD
Bringing SLS to the Midwest in collaboration with MGK Day LAS VEGAS, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Street League Skateboarding (SLS), the world's premier professional street skateboarding league, announced today that it will bring its SLS Championship Tour to Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, for a Spot Takeover event at North Coast Yard. This competition will mark the fourth contest of the season and the third spot takeover. The SLS Takeover Series is a new addition to the 2025 season, where we drop into a city, build a custom course, and let the pros go off. North Coast Yard, a vibrant and rapidly evolving outdoor space in the heart of Cleveland's North Coast district, provides the perfect backdrop for this takeover. Its unique urban vibe and stunning Lake Erie views create a dope environment where skating and street culture can come together. Fans can expect the world's best skaters and the highest level of competition on a spot custom-built to embody the city. "The SLS Takeover series has been a phenomenal success, kicked off with two massive events in Santa Monica and Brasilia," said Frank Lamicella, CEO of Thrill Sports (parent company of Street League Skateboarding). "We're excited to announce Cleveland as the host of our third Takeover series event to celebrate skateboarding and culture in the heart of the Midwest." This timing aligns perfectly with the spirit of the SLS Spot Takeover, which aims to immerse itself in local culture. The event is in collaboration with MGK Day, a celebration led by Cleveland-born multi-platinum artist and cultural icon Machine Gun Kelly (MGK)."I love Kels, MGK for life," says Street League CMO Tal Cooperman. By bringing skateboarding, music, and the city's energy together, this event is more than just a competition, it's a celebration of Cleveland. Tickets will go on sale next Thursday, July 17th, at 9 AM PST. Stay tuned for more details and join us at North Coast Yard on August 9th. For more Street League Skateboarding news, including the Championship Tour updates, broadcast information and more, go to and follow Street League Skateboarding on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. ABOUT STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDINGSince its inception in 2010, Street League Skateboarding (SLS) has propelled street skateboarding from a collection of independent standalone events to a renowned global series. As pioneers of street skateboarding's premium qualification system and competition format, SLS offers an amateur-to-professional pathway and creates thrilling live events across the globe. The SLS Championship Tour is recognized as the world's premier professional street skateboarding competition. Events take place on custom-built, one-of-a-kind, SLS-certified plazas in major cities around the world, with the best in the sport competing for the highest stakes. For more information, visit For More Information Contact:Sami Huwe (shuwe@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Thrill Sports Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The South African
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
UPSET ALERT: Jordy Smith stunned at J-Bay
South Africa's world No 1 surfer Jordy Smith was eliminated from the Corona Cero Open J-Bay on Sunday in the Round of 16. The loss saw Smith relinquish the Yellow Leader Jersey, as the field narrows heading into finals day. The Corona Cero Open J-Bay, stop number 10 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, continued in three- to five-foot Supertubes conditions. However, a fading swell prompted organisers to call off competition for Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 July. The next call will be made on Wednesday, 16 July at 07:45 for a possible 08:03 start. French rookie Marco Mignot shocked the local crowd as he outmanoeuvred Smith in tricky conditions, advancing to his second quarter-final appearance on the Championship Tour. While Smith waited for a set wave that never arrived, Mignot stayed busy, racking up a solid scoreline and leaving Smith needing a near-excellent wave in the dying moments. 'If you take on No 1 and beat him, it's a bigger reward,' said Mignot. 'I always want to surf against the best and push myself. Before coming here, I was watching clips of Jordy, because I think he's the best out here.' On Monday Jordy Smith took to social media to write: 'Didn't go the way we wanted but I am so grateful for all the support that has been poured into me this last week. Really appreciate every single one of you guys. The show must go on and so we continue to show up and keep swinging 💪🏼' Meanwhile, Griffin Colapinto (USA) got revenge on compatriot Cole Houshmand in their Round of 16 rematch, just a week after facing each other in the final of the VIVO Rio Pro. Colapinto controlled the heat early and sealed it with a 7.50 ride, thanks to powerful turns and clean carves down a J-Bay wall. 'This one matters because I want to make the Final 5,' said Colapinto. 'He's like a big brother to me, but I'm in that position now where every heat is important.' Brazil's Yago Dora, now the new world No 1, continued his charge at J-Bay. After breaking the fin on his favourite board in his heat against compatriot João Chianca, Dora changed equipment and responded with a huge aerial move that scored an excellent 9.00, securing the win. 'I didn't want to change boards, so I just changed the fin,' said Dora. 'There was a long lull, and I tried to stay patient. The second-best feeling in surfing is flying through the air and landing in the flats. It's scary, but when you pull it off, it feels so good.' Although Dora now holds the Yellow Jersey, Japan's Kanoa Igarashi remains in contention for the top spot after also advancing. Heat 1: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.57 defeated João Chianca (BRA) 13.67Heat 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.34 defeated Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.76Heat 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.50 defeated Crosby Colapinto (USA) 9.33Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.37 defeated Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.57 Heat 5: Marco Mignot (FRA) 14.57 defeated Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.17 Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.97 defeated Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.60Heat 7: Connor O'Leary (JPN) 12.83 defeated Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.33 Heat 8: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.00 defeated Jake Marshall (USA) 10.00
