European Qualifying Series Heads To France For Rip Curl Pro Anglet QS 3,000

CHAMBRE D'AMOUR, Anglet / France (Monday, September 16, 2024) - The World Surf League (WSL) European Qualifying Series (QS) now shifts its focus over to France for Stop No. 4 of the 2024/25 season, the Rip Curl Pro Anglet QS 3,000. Surfers will have enjoyed a well-deserved break from competition after the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro wrapped up in Spain on Saturday, August 31.

The Rip Curl Pro Anglet is an important stop in the race to qualify for next year’s Challenger Series (CS), the pathway to the elite Championship Tour (CT) and with 3,000 points on offer it could make all the difference. 

Olympian Teresa Bonvalot (POR) to the Anglet lineup as the defending winner and after a strong third place in Pantin, she’s eyeing another keeper result to move up the rankings. Next gen star Tya Zebrowski (FRA) has been unstoppable, featuring in two finals this season with the 13-year-old taking out the win in both occasions. Zebrowski won the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl with teammate Lukas Skinner (GBR). 

After a massive win in Pantin, Afonso Antunes (ESP) leads the European QS rankings and will come into this event with a big boost of confidence. There will be a strong French contingent in the lineup with Jorgann Couzinet, Nicolas Paulet, Luan Nogues, Charly Quivront and Maxime Huscenot fighting for top honours in Anglet.

The European QS rankings has seen a big shuffle after the first three events, and features exciting, fresh talent that’s challenging the experienced competitors. Here are the current standings:

Men’s European QS Top 5:

1 - Afonso Antunes (POR)

2 - Jorgann Couzinet (FRA)

3 - Nicolas Paulet (FRA)

4 - Luan Nogues (FRA)

5 - Hans Odriozola (ESP)

Women’s European QS Top 5:

1 - Tya Zebrowski (FRA)

2 - Noah Klapp (DEU)

3 - Francisca Veselko (POR)

4 - Teresa Bonvalot (POR)

5 - Tessa Thyssen (FRA)

With a tricky forecast on the horizon, organisers could look to use the double bank format during this week’s competition to capitilise on the conditions. Two heats will surf simultaneously, using both sides of the iconic Chambre d’Amour breakwall to separate surfers in the lineup.