English Woman's Journal - France's Kauli Vaast wins men's Olympic surfing gold

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France's Kauli Vaast wins men's Olympic surfing gold

SPORTS 06.08.2024

France's Kauli Vaast wins men's Olympic surfing gold / Photo: Ed Sloane - POOL/AFP

France's Kauli Vaast won men's surfing Olympic gold Monday on his Tahitian home waves at Teahupo'o, beating Australia's Jack Robinson who had to settle for the silver medal.

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Vaast, who grew up nearby, claimed France's first Olympic surfing gold after taking the two best waves of a high-level final.

Three-time surfing world champion and viral photo sensation Gabriel Medina of Brazil took the bronze after going into the Games as a widely tipped favourite.

Local surfing prodigy Vaast took the lead on Monday from the start, scoring a 9.50 on his first wave, and racking up a total of 17.67 against 7.83 for Robinson, who conceded in the final moments.

Brazil's Medina, who was beaten in the semi-final by Robinson after taking only one wave, was more creative in Monday's bronze match against the surprise of the men's draw, Alonso Correa, winning with a score of 15.54 to the Peruvian's 12.43.

Modest surf conditions resulted in a tight duel, but Medina chose his waves better in the final 20 minutes to seal third on the podium.

An AFP photograph of Medina celebrating after kicking out of a wave last week after a ride that earned a record Olympic score became a global sensation, and a defining image of the sport and the Paris Olympics.

The gold medal will be decided later Monday.

L.MacDonald--EWJ

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