The finals got underway at La Gravière in solid six-foot-plus surf at high tide, groomed by a light offshore wind.
The conditions were tricky. The majority of waves were breaking near the shore, and surfers had to time the kick-out moment flawlessly.
As a result, spectators were presented with short, yet highly intense maneuvers performed and concluded, sometimes, in wet sand.
Jeremy Flores had never won in front of his home crowd, and he knew he could be writing a new chapter in the history of French surfing.
On the other hand, and despite suffering a foot injury in the semifinal, Italo Ferreira wanted to climb up the rankings.
Two Exciting Finals
Flores opened his account with a deep barrel ride, which he claimed vigorously alongside the crowd on the beach. The judges awarded him a 9.67.
Italo tried hard to keep up with his opponent, went for huge (unfinished) alley-oops, but always struggled to find the best waves.
With ten minutes on the clock, Flores found a couple of deep barrels that cemented his lead and gave France the first Quiksilver Pro title.
“I’m very proud to represent France. This is for Pierre Agnes – he left us tragically,” expressed an extremely emotional Jeremy Flores.
“Thank you to everyone on the beach who supported us in the early and cold mornings. They’ve been behind us for so many years. This one stays in France. This is the event I have always wanted to win.”
The surfer from Reunion Island has been competing in the Quiksilver Pro France since 2006 and has never done better than ninth place.
The Roxy Pro final was a matchup between a three-time world champion and an up-and-coming young surfer. Carissa Moore and Caroline Marks were chasing different goals.
The Hawaiian, however, was on fire and looked unbeatable in every wave and barrel she rode. In the end, she locked in a two-wave total of 17.60 points and won the event.
“I took a deep breath and embraced this. I kept feeling the good vibes. There’s work to be done. I couldn’t be happier,” said Carissa Moore, who secured her third Roxy Pro title.
The next stop on the 2019 WSL Championship Tour is the Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Supertubos, Peniche. The event kicks off on October 16.
2019 Quiksilver Pro France | Final
1. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.00
2. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.23
2019 Roxy Pro France | Final
1. Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.60
2. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.00
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