Surfing
Surfing
No Contest dives deep into European culture, in and out of the water
From France to Portugal and the Championship Tour to Red Bull Airborne, No Contest brings you an intimate look at the surfing year's most crucial leg.
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The Quiksilver Pro and Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal are surfing's kingmakers. Over the course of back-to-back events, the Championship Tour's cards fall into place and the course is set for the endgame showdown in Hawaii.
This year, on the back of a mega run that saw surfers compete at the Tahiti Pro Teahupo'o before jetting to Japan for the ISA Games, head to California for the FreshWater Pro, then finally cross the Atlantic to France, it was a tired field that assembled on the sands of Hossegor. These are, however, elite athletes at the peak of their powers, it's what they're paid to do. So, on with the show! Check the latest episode in full at the top of the page.
Julian Wilson's wild French fling
© Trevor Moran
It takes more than stray boards to put Leo Fioravanti off French tubes
© Trevor Moran
Kolohe Andino standing tall, waiting for the ocean to engulf him
© Trevor Moran
A bird's eye view of a Kanoa Igarashi open face carve
© Trevor Moran
The Quiksilver and Roxy Pros were punctuated by firing tubes and a stirring victory by local hero Jeremy Flores, who's 31 now and first competed in this event in 2006 as a teenage wildcard. In the midst of this, Red Bull Airborne was also run and won, with Californian aerialist and star of 21 Hours, Ian Crane, taking the trophy at the end of an incredible da. The Stab crew were on hand to cover every last minute of the action:
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Ian Crane wins Red Bull Airborne France 2019
See the air that won the day for Ian Crane in Hossegor.
Outside of the jersey, the French freesurf action was on fire, as the banks of Hossegor lit up from Capbreton in the south to Estagnots in the north. Jordy Smith, in particular, was the standout of one pre-event warm-up session, standing tall through a dozen deep, dredging barrels before that day's croissants were even out of the oven. Leo Fioravanti made his long awaited return from injury and his presence was felt the length of his hometown sandbars, before he converted that form into his best ever Championship Tour result, a semi-final finish.
Jordy Smith sends one into a golden French sunset
© Trevor Moran
Jordy Smith demolishes an unsuspecting French beach break
© Trevor Moran
Jordy Smith ruling the La Graviere dawn patrol
© Trevor Moran
It wasn't all just saltwater action in France though. The team indulged in an evening of moules frites (mussels and French fries) at legendary local establishment Chez Minus, then in the aftermath of Red Bull Airborne took off to San Sebastian, just over the Spanish border in the Basque Country, to enjoy a night of local fare at a private dinner club. All very palatable, really.
Ian Crane tastes the 'pagne at Red Bull Airborne in France
© Ryan Miller
Ian Crane almost landed the biggest trademark Back Stale of his life today
© Ryan Miller
Ian Crane winning Red Bull Airborne with a classic, stomped, frontside punt
© WSL/Poullenot
Ian Crane chaired up the beach, victorious at Red Bull Airborne in France
© Ryan Miller
From France the squad drove 10 hours across Spain and onto the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, where part-time resident Kanoa Igarashi was more than happy to play tour guide and ensure our already overfed team continued on with their glutinous ways in one of Europe's most cuisine-rich cities.
Less than an hour north of Lisbon lies Peniche, home to Supertubos and the venue for the final event on the European leg, the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Italo Ferreira pulled off a spectacular win on the men's side of the draw, while Caroline Marks took home the trophy for the ladies, meaning both title races head to Hawaii to be decided. Carissa Moore is hot favourite on the women's side to claim the crown in Maui, while Gabriel Medina's spectacular meltdown has really upset the men's draw heading into Hawaii. Odds-on favourite to wrap things up in Portugal, Medina made a priority blunder that has reinvigorated the title campaigns of Ferreira, Filipe Toledo, Jordy Smith and Kolohe Andino.
Europe was a battle of attrition in 2019. While the action in the water was torrid, there was plenty of fun to be had on land and the latest episode of No Contest brings you every last bit of it. Hit play on the video up the top, sit back and enjoy a little bit of culture with your surfing; we think this is a fun one. Bon appetit!
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