The men's contest in France is the first stop on the European leg of the World Championship Tour (WCT) and with it begins the homestretch of the Title Race. With the Top 34's rankings shifts, the Quiksilver Pro France could have serious implications for both requalification and the World Title race. Among the surfers currently in the Men's WCT Top 5, four have previously won in France -- the exception is No. 5 Michel Bourez (PYF) -- and arrive in Hossegor with distinct advantages.
Medina's Edge
Gabriel Medina (BRA), newcomer to the elite Tour after September's rotation, wins his inaugural ASP World Tour event at the 2011 Quik Pro France.
Current ratings leader Gabriel Medina (BRA) is on track to become the first Brazilian World Champion. While his equal-fifth finish at Trestles narrowed the points gap between the top five men on Tour, France has been good to Medina. He registered a perfect heat at the 2009 Quiksilver King of the Groms. When he qualified for the WCT midway through the 2011 season, the Quiksilver Pro France was the first event he entered and he put the world on notice when he topped all competitors. Last year he finished runner-up, narrowly losing in the Final to eventual World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS). A reversal of this result would, as it did with Fanning, place him on the fast track for the Title.
Slater's Edge
The reigning 11-time ASP World Champion claimed his 51st elite Tour victory, besting celebrated wildcard Dane Reynolds.
Like Medina, Kelly Slater (USA) has conquered France more than once, but there's been a big gap in his success. His first two victories in France were in 1992, the year he won his first World Title, and in 1996, when he won another. After that, he didn't manage a French win for 16 years, until his infamous 2012 face-off against new-school wunderkind Dane Reynolds (USA) in heavy barrels at La Graviere.
Parko's Edge
A look at Parkinson's incredible road to the 2012 ASP World Title.
Australian Joel Parkinson (AUS) defeated Fanning in the 2006 Quik Pro Final, when his progressive style was on full display. While his competitors faltered throughout the event, Parkinson managed to score an excellent 8.83 for a double tube and a huge air. The crowd roared. This year, Parkinson has yet to win an event despite making two Finals. That hunger, combined with experience in France, could mean danger for Slater, who sits just 3,000 points ahead of the Aussie threat.
Fanning's Edge
Mick Fanning Wins Fourth Quiksilver Pro France, Solidifies WCT Rankings Lead.
Mick Fanning (AUS), the reigning World Champion, is trailing the other past event winners in rankings points. But he also has more wins in France than any surfer in the history of the country's elite contests, with event titles in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013.
The Quiksilver Pro France has a waiting period from Thursday September 25 through Monday, October 6. ASP will stream the daily call and competition heats LIVE.
Quik Pro: Top 4 Poised to Conquer
Paula Lehman
The men's contest in France is the first stop on the European leg of the World Championship Tour (WCT) and with it begins the homestretch of the Title Race. With the Top 34's rankings shifts, the Quiksilver Pro France could have serious implications for both requalification and the World Title race. Among the surfers currently in the Men's WCT Top 5, four have previously won in France -- the exception is No. 5 Michel Bourez (PYF) -- and arrive in Hossegor with distinct advantages.
Medina's Edge
Current ratings leader Gabriel Medina (BRA) is on track to become the first Brazilian World Champion. While his equal-fifth finish at Trestles narrowed the points gap between the top five men on Tour, France has been good to Medina. He registered a perfect heat at the 2009 Quiksilver King of the Groms. When he qualified for the WCT midway through the 2011 season, the Quiksilver Pro France was the first event he entered and he put the world on notice when he topped all competitors. Last year he finished runner-up, narrowly losing in the Final to eventual World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS). A reversal of this result would, as it did with Fanning, place him on the fast track for the Title.
Slater's Edge
Like Medina, Kelly Slater (USA) has conquered France more than once, but there's been a big gap in his success. His first two victories in France were in 1992, the year he won his first World Title, and in 1996, when he won another. After that, he didn't manage a French win for 16 years, until his infamous 2012 face-off against new-school wunderkind Dane Reynolds (USA) in heavy barrels at La Graviere.
Parko's Edge
Australian Joel Parkinson (AUS) defeated Fanning in the 2006 Quik Pro Final, when his progressive style was on full display. While his competitors faltered throughout the event, Parkinson managed to score an excellent 8.83 for a double tube and a huge air. The crowd roared. This year, Parkinson has yet to win an event despite making two Finals. That hunger, combined with experience in France, could mean danger for Slater, who sits just 3,000 points ahead of the Aussie threat.
Fanning's Edge
Mick Fanning (AUS), the reigning World Champion, is trailing the other past event winners in rankings points. But he also has more wins in France than any surfer in the history of the country's elite contests, with event titles in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013.
The Quiksilver Pro France has a waiting period from Thursday September 25 through Monday, October 6. ASP will stream the daily call and competition heats LIVE.
Gabriel Medina
3x World Champ Gabriel Medina turned it on once again at Main Break in a battle of the goofy-footers facing Ryan Callinan. Medina's
A clash of the titans kicked men's action into high gear with 2022 event winner and Western Australia's own Jack Robinson facing 3x World
Featuring Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Liam O'Brien, Yago Dora, Italo Ferreira, Carissa Moore, Griffin Colapinto, Tatiana
Featuring Jordy Smith, Gabriel Medina, Tyler Wright, George Pittar, Sawyer Lindblad, Caroline Marks, Samuel Pupo, Griffin Colapinto, Ethan
Medina has found his gear upon reaching stop No. 4 Bells Beach, dropping a commanding 17.33 Heat total which included a near-perfect 9.33 +
Quiksilver Pro France
While the Top 34 faced off in the heavy waves of Supertubos, two intrepid Spaniards waged another battle, on land.
Shaper Jon Pyzel breaks down the board that took the Hawaiian to the top of the podium at the Quik Pro France, and beyond.
Quiksilver Pro France and Roxy Pro France highlights coming to US Television Sunday, October 19.
It's an Atlantic showdown when the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France come to U.S. television Oct. 19 on ABC.
On a layday at the Quik Pro France, Brett Simpson and Sebastien Zietz got a lesson in the sport of Jai Alai (pronounced "High Lie").