Latest news with #GriffinColapinto
CNA
27-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Surfing-Hawaii's Bryan goes back-to-back in Western Australia waves
Hawaii's Gabriela Bryan defended her Western Australia Margaret River Pro title on Tuesday, showcasing her powerful forehand surfing to beat reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers and maintain her rankings lead over her Californian rival. South African Jordy Smith won the men's event, stop seven on the world tour, by taking out California's Griffin Colapinto. The 37-year-old now leads the world championship rankings 18 years after making his tour debut. While conditions had slowed on Tuesday after big, perfect surf earlier in the competition period, Simmers and Bryan started their final swiftly. Simmers, 19, notched up a solid 7.17 out of 10 only to see Bryan use her trademark power on a series of searing turns for a near perfect 9.5. Both surfers followed up their initial keeper scores with some mid-range numbers before Bryan notched up another solid wave for a 7.83 and 17.33 total inside the first 10 minutes of the final. "I just went out there and was like, I've just got to surf my heart out, and that's what I did on that (9.5) wave. And then I was lucky enough to get a backup before it went flat, so yeah, I'm so stoked," Bryan, 23, said. Smith, who joined the world tour in 2008 and is the oldest competitor on tour, also got off to a strong start, picking up an excellent 8.5 on his first wave after Colapinto garnered a modest 4.83. With the ocean going quiet and needing a solid score, Colapinto waited in vain for another opportunity that never came, handing Smith his second win this year. "I think it's just a testament to every day, keep showing up, trusting what you're doing," Smith said. "This year has really been about having fun and enjoying this, because it's not forever." Colapinto finished third in the world in 2023 and 2024 but had a shocking start to this year, languishing near the bottom of the rankings before the start of the three-leg Australian tour. The 26-year-old from San Clemente had two of the most memorable waves of the event - a near-impossible tube in an early round and the only perfect 10-point ride in a blockbuster quarter-final against Italy's Leo Fioravanti. Trailing and needing a 9.4, Colapinto sped along an overhead wave and launched into a huge, full rotation aerial, greasing the landing as the shallow reef loomed. The tour next heads to Colapinto's home break, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics surfing venue of Lower Trestles. The top five men and women after the 11-stop tour will then compete for the world title in a one-day, winner-takes-all Finals Day in Fiji.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Humble American surfer pulls off greatest move EVER to leave commentators stunned
American surfer Griffin Colapinto pulled off a historically great move which left announcers in Australia stunned. Colapinto, a Paris Olympian last summer, pulled off the stunt during the quarterfinals of the Western Australia Margaret River Pro and earned a perfect 10. The 26-year-old California native ducked down as he rode into a wave before using his momentum to produce a fully-rotated spin and stick the landing. Fans on hand for the tournament roared as he completed the maneuver, and World Surfing League announcers were shocked as well. 'I'm still scratching my head,' one announcer could be heard saying. Colapinto was also described on-air as a 'magic maker,' per the Sydney Morning Herald. The understated surfer described it as one of the 'most incredible moments of my life' and further recalled the moment to the WSL. 'When I landed it, it took me a second to realize that was real life' he said, according to the league. Fans also filled the comment section on Instagram after the WSL posted the incredible moment. 'Kinda legendary,' one said. 'Best air of the season,' another gushed. 'Video game mode unlocked, a third added. Colapinto's move and perfect 10 helped him beat Italian Olympian Leonardo Fioravanti to earn a spot in the semifinals. He'll face Barron Mamiya in one of the semi matchups, while his brother, Crosby Colapinto, will face South African Jordy Smith.
Sydney Morning Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Best air ever?' The perfect 10 commentators are hailing greatest of all time
American surfer Griffin Colapinto has described a ride which included a spectacular aerial and earned a perfect 10 score at Margaret River as one of the 'most incredible moments of my life'. Competing in the quarter-finals at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Colapinto rode into the wave at full speed before checking his turns and widening his stance to execute a big air. Pulling off a spring-loaded spin that went into full rotation, Colapinto landed perfectly and was awarded 10s across the board, helping him progress to the semi-finals. 'He's a magic maker, it's unscripted,' the commentators gushed. Colapinto is on course to meet his cousin, Corey Colapinto, in the final after Corey knocked out the last remaining Australian, Jacob Willcox in the last eight. Griffin Colapinto beat Italian Olympic representative Leonardo Fioravanti with a score of 16.33 to 15.73 to earn his semi-final spot. The Italian led in the first three sets, scoring 9.00 and then a 6.73 which forced Colapinto, who had delivered a 6.33 but nothing higher, to answer with a knock-out. 'It took me a while to realise that this was real life.' Griffin Colapinto 'I mean, the 10 was one of the most incredible moments of my life,' Colapinto said on an Instagram video posted by World Surf League and captioned: 'Best air ever in a comp?' 'I think when I landed it, I landed, and then it took me a while to realise that this was real life.'
The Age
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
‘Best air ever?' The perfect 10 commentators are hailing greatest of all time
American surfer Griffin Colapinto has described a ride which included a spectacular aerial and earned a perfect 10 score at Margaret River as one of the 'most incredible moments of my life'. Competing in the quarter-finals at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Colapinto rode into the wave at full speed before checking his turns and widening his stance to execute a big air. Pulling off a spring-loaded spin that went into full rotation, Colapinto landed perfectly and was awarded 10s across the board, helping him progress to the semi-finals. 'He's a magic maker, it's unscripted,' the commentators gushed. Colapinto is on course to meet his cousin, Corey Colapinto, in the final after Corey knocked out the last remaining Australian, Jacob Willcox in the last eight. Griffin Colapinto beat Italian Olympic representative Leonardo Fioravanti with a score of 16.33 to 15.73 to earn his semi-final spot. The Italian led in the first three sets, scoring 9.00 and then a 6.73 which forced Colapinto, who had delivered a 6.33 but nothing higher, to answer with a knock-out. 'It took me a while to realise that this was real life.' Griffin Colapinto 'I mean, the 10 was one of the most incredible moments of my life,' Colapinto said on an Instagram video posted by World Surf League and captioned: 'Best air ever in a comp?' 'I think when I landed it, I landed, and then it took me a while to realise that this was real life.'
