Category Archives: WSL

Adriano de Sousa WSL Champion 2015

Congratulations to Adriano de Sousa, who after 10 years competing on the world tour, was crowned World Surfing League 2015 CT champion on the last day of the Billabong Pipe Masters. There was great excitement going in to the tournament, with four contenders still in the running to win the championship. Adriano de Sousa made the best of some sub-optimal surf conditions to battle his way through to the semi-final, at which point he had enough points to  be crowned the champion. Just to top it off he went on to win the final against his Brazilian compatriot, and departing world tour champion, Gabriel Medina. So after Brazil having their first world champion in 2014 they now have two in a row,  and de Sousa also become the first-ever Brazilian winner of the Pipe Masters. Gabriel Medina didn’t go home empty-handed however, as in another first for Brazil Medina won the 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which is awarded to the surfer with the biggest points score for its three events.

Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa
Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Sousa. Image copyright: WSL / Kirstin

 

 

Gabriel Medina 2014 ASP World Tour Champion

Belated congratulations are due to Gabriel Medina for winning the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 2014 World Tour at the Billabong Pipe Masters at Oahu, Hawaii. Unpredictable surf conditions over most of the days resulted in many frustrating waits for the surf conditions to improve. However, Gabriel held his nerve to hold off challenges from defending World Tour champion Mick Fanning, and surf legend Kelly Slater to become the first Brazilian to win the title. Cue crazy scenes of Brazilian fans on the beach at Pipeline, I’ve never seen so many selfie sticks!

Gabriel Medina wins the ASP 2014 Surfing World Tour
Gabriel Medina wins the ASP 2014 Surfing World Tour. Photo: Surfer Magazine/Lowe-White