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Tya Zebrowski and Afonso Antunes Win ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro

Tya Zebrowski Aiming For Challenger Series Qualification, Earns Second QS Win; Afonso Antunes Earns Career-Best Result, First-Ever QS Win; Noah Klapp and Jorgann Couzinet Finish Runners-Up

02/Set/2024 - WSL

PLAYA DE PANTIN, Valdoviño / Galicia - Spain (Saturday, August 31, 2024) - Tya Zebrowski (FRA) and Afonso Antunes (POR) won the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro today and Noah Klapp (DEU) and Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) finished runners-up. The swell dissipated over the weekend, forcing organisers to push through and complete the competition today in the tiny conditions.

Despite the small and inconsistent conditions, competitors adapted their approach and strategies and those that got the first wave in a heat seemed to have the upper hand by the time the buzzer sounded. With 3,000 points on offer, Stop No. 3 on the European QS was crucial for the region's top surfers who are eyeing Challenger Series qualification.

Tya Zebrowski Aiming For Challenger Series Qualification, Earns Second QS Win

The 13-year-old Tahitian, Tya Zebrowski (FRA), won her second QS event ever and carved out a healthy lead at the top of the European QS rankings with these 3,000 points in Pantin. It was her second QS final that she shared with Noah Klapp (DEU), and won on both occasions. The two met head-to-head at the first event of the 2024/25 season, the BYD Pro QS 1,000 in Newquay. Zebrowski overcame Anat Lelior (ISR) in the Quarterfinals and Teresa Bonvalot (POR) in the Semifinals.

It was a slow start to the Final, with Zebrowski getting the first score on the board with a 4.67 (out of a possible 10). Klapp struggled to identify the waves with better scoring opportunities. Zebrowski managed to get lots of speed on her second wave, throwing spray and letting her fins free in the end section to earn a 6.83. Klapp never found a better opportunity and had to settle for second, again.

“This is really special, I'm so so happy," Zebrowski reacted. "This is a really important win for me. My goal this year is to qualify for the Challenger Series, and now it looks like it might happen. This will be an event I'll remember for a long time. I don't know what to say, I'm just so happy."

Afonso Antunes Earns Career-Best Result, First-Ever QS Win

Portugal's surfing future is looking bright with the passionate Afonso Antunes (POR) showcasing his skills in all kinds of conditions in Pantin this week, to go all way and earn his career-best result, and first-ever QS win that catapulted him to the top of the regional rankings. Antunes had to overcome three of the best French surfers in the draw on Finals Day, including Nicolas Paulet in the Quarters and Luan Nogues in the Semifinals.

Antunes came up against the experienced Jorgann Couzinet (FRA), who was finally back in a QS final after putting on quite a show this week. The energy was intense as the two surfers stayed close to each other to determine priority and who will get the first score on the board. Couzinet's ability to generate speed on the small waves is impressive, and he managed to maintain this speed and flow to squeeze in three turns on his waves.

The Frenchman locked in two 6.50 rides, but Antunes was in the fight with a 5.17 and rolled into the best wave of the heat. Connecting the sections perfectly with two powerful and fast turns, Antunes launched into the air right in front of Couzinet. The score came in as an excellent 8.00 and with the seconds counting down, the Portuguese surfer sealed the win with a total of 13.17 (out of a possible 20).

“I don’t believe it yet," Antunes reacted. "Before this event I haven't been competing or surfing that much. When I arrived in Pantin I was struggling to figure out which boards to surf, because these waves are quite difficult to read. Everyday I just tried to improve my surfing."

"I'm really grateful for my sponsors and for everyone's support. When I got that last wave, that was when I felt like I was going to win. This reminds me of the Portugal football team winning the Euros in 2016 against France in the last minute. Don't give up! Of course the dream is to be a World Champion, but all I want to do is to be remembered as a great surfer, as one of the best to ever do this sport," Antunes said.

Noah Klapp and Jorgann Couzinet Finish Runners-Up

In her second QS final for the season, Noah Klapp (DEU) is in great form and moves to seconds place on the European QS rankings.

"I was really happy to make it to the final," Klapp said. "It's my first final in a QS 3,000. I feel like a had some bad heats at the start, so I'm trying to focus on where I can improve, like making better wave selections."

It was the first QS final for Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) since Taghazout in February 2023, and he delivered some impressive performances on his way to the Final in Pantin.

“You just have to believe and trust in yourself," Couzinet said. "It's been a tough few months, and after an early loss in Lacanau, I really wanted to put on a show and make some heats, so I'm really happy I made the final."

For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

With the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro, stop No.4 on the 2023/24 European QS in the books, here’s an updated regional rankings Top 5:

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)