Latest news with #ChampionshipTour
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Kanoa Igarashi, ranked No. 3 in the world, happy to be back home for U.S. Open of Surfing
Kanoa Igarashi might have a little trouble recognizing the competition when the Huntington Beach resident paddles out on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier throughout next week during the U.S. Open of Surfing. Over the past six months, Igarashi has been laser-focused on surfing on the World Surf League's Championship Tour (CT) in an effort to win a world championship. Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, Igarashi will be the only surfer still with a chance to win a world title competing in the Open, which begins Saturday and runs through Sunday, Aug. 3, when the men's and women's winners will be crowned. All the other men's division athletes still in the hunt for a world championship have chosen not to compete and instead focus on the CT contest that begins Aug. 7 in Tahiti. That includes Igarashi's longtime rival Griffin Colapinto of San Clemente, the 2021 U.S. Open winner who is currently ranked No. 6 in the world. The Tahiti event is the final contest of the CT's 11-event regular season, with the top five in the season's point standings qualifying for the championship finals in Fiji during the final week of August. Igarashi admitted that skipping the Open to focus on Tahiti and securing a spot in the finals did cross his mind, but it was never a serious consideration. 'I definitely thought about it, but at the end of the day, whether or not I'm in the U.S. Open, I'm just doing my daily routine,' he said. 'As long as I can get to Tahiti a few days in advance, and get rid of the jet lag, I'll be fine. 'I'd be surfing Huntington every single day anyway, so surfing in the U.S. Open doesn't tire me out, thankfully. And I get to spend time with my friends, spend time at home, I'm sleeping in my bed, and I'm only driving three minutes to the pier. I feel like I'm recovering for Tahiti while competing in the U.S. Open. I feel like if it was going to tire me out or distract me, I wouldn't compete. Competing at home, competing in the U.S. Open, it just rejuvenates me.' Indeed, the Open holds a special place in Igarashi's heart. He won back-to-back Open crowns in 2017 and '18, and puts those contest victories at the top of his professional career. 'It was my first big win, so when I won the U.S. Open I was like, OK I think I can move on and do bigger things,' he said. 'It was a confidence booster. To this day, it's right up there with my Bali win and right up there with my [Olympic] silver medal, it's all on the same platform.' The win in Bali in 2019 is the only CT contest Igarashi has won in what is now his ninth season. But he's been to a final six times, including twice this season. It's a reflection of the progress the 27-year-old has made over the years since qualifying for the CT when he was just 17. On paper, Igarshi's biggest competition in the Open will be Mexico's Alan Cleland, who is ranked No. 19 in the world and won last year's Open. Cleland will compete in Tahiti, but is too far down in the points standings to have a chance at qualifying for the finals. Other Southern California surfers who will compete include the San Clemente crew — Kolohe Andino, Kade Matson and Jett Schilling — Long Beach's Nolan Rapoza, Malibu's Taro Watanabe, Encinitas' Levi Slawson and Ventura's Dimitri Poulos. On the women's side, two names to watch for are San Clemente's Sawyer Lindblad, currently ranked No. 11 in the world and the 2023 Open winner, and Australia's Sally Fitzgibbons, still going strong at age 34 and coming off back-to-back appearances in the Open finals. Fitzgibbons won it last year, and finished runner-up to Lindblad in 2023. For Fitzgibbons, the contest is a big one in her effort to qualify for next year's CT, which would be her 17th season on surfing's biggest stage. The Open is a Challenger Series event, with the top seven in the standings qualifying for next year's CT. Fitzgibbons is currently ranked No. 2 in the Challenger Series, but the Open is only the third of the seven contests that will determine the qualifiers. Fitzgibbons has never won a world title but has finished in the top five a remarkable 10 times, including three consecutive second-place finishes in 2010, '11 and '12. Caroline Marks, from San Clemente by way of Florida, is currently ranked No. 6 in the world but will not compete at the Open, instead focusing on Tahiti in an effort to get into the top five of the women's standings. Other Southern California women who will surf in the Open include San Clemente's Bella Kenworthy, Kirra Pinkerton and Eden Walla; Encinitas' Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad's Reid Von Wagoner and Malibu's Talia Swindal. The Huntington Beach Longboard Classic also will be held, with the log riders competition starting Saturday and going through July 30. Out of the water, competitors will perform Saturday and Sunday in freestyle motocross (FMX), a high-flying action sport where riders perform aerial tricks on dirt bikes, using large ramps to launch themselves into the air.
Web Release
3 days 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
6 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
7 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
