Women's Round Three of the Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley unfolds in picture-perfect two-to-three foot surf to decide the quarterfinalists.
The Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley continued on Day 3 in Trestles-like A-frame peaks brushed by strong offshore winds. The day launched with the women's Round Three before going on a long break and eventually calling competition off for the rest of the day.
Marion Philippe got the jump start on the day's first heat and quickly put two scores on the board to put pressure on Pauline Ado and Maud Le Car early. Pauline was a bit more selective but when she started on a wave it was a great one and she eventually got back in first place with two solid 7+ scores for her spot into the quarters.
Marion Philippe continues to improve and consistently reach finals day. - WSL / Damien Poullenot
Maud couldn't quite find the waves and struggled to showcase her sharp carves, unable to catch up with Marion the Tahitian who stayed second and eventually moved on to the quarters as well.
"I felt like the heat was going to be slow so I decided to catch a couple of smaller ones at the beginning and the second was actually my best score," Marion said. "Waves are fun but they're a bit long to come and with four people in the water, priority is key. I feel better on the lefts so I was stoked with the peak we had this morning. I'm going to go home for three months after this event to train and come back strong this summer!"
Pauline Ado is a threat in all conditions. - WSL / Damien Poullenot
In an even slower second heat, local favorite Garazi Sanchez-Ortun controlled the lineup and selected the best waves to lay down her backhand turns on a couple of good lefts. Garazi posted the highest two scores in that heat and logically advanced into the quarters.
"It got smaller today but there's lefts and rights for everyone and it's super fun for a heat," she said. "Everyone is really excited about tomorrow, the forecast is great so I look forward to it, it should be a fun day!"
Teresa Bonvalot reveled in the punchy little lefts this morning and surfed with great flow, mixing top turns and drawn-out carves for the day's highest single score of 9 points. The light goofy foot who's had a great season on the Qualifying Series so far and ranks at No.10 currently, is still shy of an event win and will look to break her glass ceiling on finals day in Zarautz.
Teresa Bonvalot was the most impressive surfer today in Zarautz. - WSL / Damien Poullenot
"I'm amazed by the fact that I just get to do what I love most," she reflected. "It's everyone's goal to get to the CT obviously and it's been a dream of mine since I started surfing, but it's a long road and you just have to continue training and improving to have a shot at that goal. I'm just excited about the finals here and I hope the waves will get a little bigger again."
Mikaela Greene dominated the final women's heat and advanced alongside Leticia Canales Bilbao into the quarters.
Mikaela Greene has an impeccable record in European events and will look to add another title on finals day. - WSL / Damien Poullenot
Event officials have called for a 7:45 a.m meeting for a potential 8 a.m start of the men's Round Five.
Find out all the results, photos, video highlights and daily recaps from Zarautz right here.
Women's Quarterfinals Set at Pro Zarautz
Nicolas Leroy
The Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley continued on Day 3 in Trestles-like A-frame peaks brushed by strong offshore winds. The day launched with the women's Round Three before going on a long break and eventually calling competition off for the rest of the day.
Marion Philippe got the jump start on the day's first heat and quickly put two scores on the board to put pressure on Pauline Ado and Maud Le Car early. Pauline was a bit more selective but when she started on a wave it was a great one and she eventually got back in first place with two solid 7+ scores for her spot into the quarters.
Maud couldn't quite find the waves and struggled to showcase her sharp carves, unable to catch up with Marion the Tahitian who stayed second and eventually moved on to the quarters as well.
"I felt like the heat was going to be slow so I decided to catch a couple of smaller ones at the beginning and the second was actually my best score," Marion said. "Waves are fun but they're a bit long to come and with four people in the water, priority is key. I feel better on the lefts so I was stoked with the peak we had this morning. I'm going to go home for three months after this event to train and come back strong this summer!"
In an even slower second heat, local favorite Garazi Sanchez-Ortun controlled the lineup and selected the best waves to lay down her backhand turns on a couple of good lefts. Garazi posted the highest two scores in that heat and logically advanced into the quarters.
"It got smaller today but there's lefts and rights for everyone and it's super fun for a heat," she said. "Everyone is really excited about tomorrow, the forecast is great so I look forward to it, it should be a fun day!"
Teresa Bonvalot reveled in the punchy little lefts this morning and surfed with great flow, mixing top turns and drawn-out carves for the day's highest single score of 9 points. The light goofy foot who's had a great season on the Qualifying Series so far and ranks at No.10 currently, is still shy of an event win and will look to break her glass ceiling on finals day in Zarautz.
"I'm amazed by the fact that I just get to do what I love most," she reflected. "It's everyone's goal to get to the CT obviously and it's been a dream of mine since I started surfing, but it's a long road and you just have to continue training and improving to have a shot at that goal. I'm just excited about the finals here and I hope the waves will get a little bigger again."
Mikaela Greene dominated the final women's heat and advanced alongside Leticia Canales Bilbao into the quarters.
Event officials have called for a 7:45 a.m meeting for a potential 8 a.m start of the men's Round Five.
Find out all the results, photos, video highlights and daily recaps from Zarautz right here.
Garazi Sanchez-Ortun
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Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley
Check out a selection of imagery from the Pro Zarautz, 2018 edition!
The Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley culminates with the victories of Jorgann Couzinet and Pauline Ado in exciting fashion.
The French pair dominate finals day to claim the third edition of the Basque event.
The Pro Zarautz pres. by Oakley resumes in pumping surf to decide the event's semifinalists on Day 4.
Waves fire again in the Basque Country as competition decides the last four standing a chance at the event title.