17-03-2025
16 Weeks Pregnant, Olympian Johanne Defay's Into the Quarterfinals in Portugal
In 2024, France's Johanne Defay stormed the podium in Peniche to win the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Seeing as the Olympic bronze medalist is currently four months pregnant, she'd be forgiven if she didn't defend her title this time around, but after a statement-making performance at Supertubos, Defay has blitzed her way into the quarterfinals.
Making short work ofTahitian rookie Vahine Fiero in the Round of 16, Defay and her little baby bump rallied to make it to finals days.
"I'm super happy to get that win, and I feel so supported here. It's really nice to have my last event in Europe," Defay said after the heat.
Defay will have her work cut out for her in the quarters, where she'll face Olympic gold medalist Caroline Marks. Last year Marks handed Defay Championship Tour defeats in the quarterfinals at Sunset Beach and El Salvador, as well as beat her in the semifinals of the Olympics in Tahiti.
At 31 years old, Defay is the oldest surfer still in the draw, which is stacked with younger, teenage talent. Defending world champ Caity Simmers, along with teen phenoms Erin Brooks and Bella Kenworthy, are all into the quarters, setting up a generational clash when competition resumes. Whatever the outcome, as she noted, this will be Defay's last event before stepping away for maternity leave.
