Vans US Open of Surfing (part seven)

Alejo Muniz, comin’ straight outta Brazil, just won the Vans US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, California. En route to clicking his career-best result, Alejo took down kinda-impossible-to-beat Nat Young in the quarters, then bounced past Matt Banting in the semis before facing Kolohe Andino in the final. Facing Brother at a Cali beachbreak in front of a HB crowd is not the least-intimidating contest situation a Brazilian could find themselves in, but Alejo didn’t stop the hustle.

“I’m so happy, I can’t believe it,” said Alejo. “Today marks the four-year anniversary of my grandfather’s passing and I’d like to dedicate this win to him. This is the biggest win of my career and it’s the biggest crowd I’ve ever surfed in front of. I knew I had to get scores and the waves were dying a little bit with the high tide and the ocean really cooperated with me today.

“I’ve been really focused because I hadn’t really had big results coming in to this event. I was putting everything in to this event and the work paid off. I focused more on myself rather than who I was surfing against and what scores they were getting. I’ve been getting good scores, but losing heats for some reason. I knew inside that I just needed to get the good waves and surf how I could. I’m stoked that I was able to do it this week. I think I surfed smart all week and it’s been amazing.”

Despite missing out on the larger trophy (and pay check), Kolohe was thrilled to be in the final. “Congratulations to Alejo,” Kolohe said. “He surfed amazing all week. It would have been nice to win, but I just couldn’t find a second wave and I’m happy that I made the final.”

On the women’s side, Carissa Moore beat Pauline Ado in the semis and Courtney Conlogue in the final to win the event and slingshot to first in the title race. “To be honest I’m a little shocked right now because I thought Courtney won when the crowd erupted on that last wave,” Carissa said. “I let her go and I had priority and it was a bad decision, but I’m stoked that it worked out in my favour. I was happy to be in the final and Courtney’s in the title race and I had fun, but I was definitely nervous at the end of that heat. It’s such an honour to win this event in front of this big crowd. I feel amazing!”

Highlights, recaps, and all that good stuff, right over here.

Can every event please be this colourful?

VANS US OPEN OF SURFING MEN’S FINAL RESULT:
1 – Alejo Muniz (BRA) 16.23
2 – Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.54

VANS US OPEN OF SURFING MEN’S SEMIFINALS RESULTS:
SF 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.00 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 11.76
SF 2: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.00 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 11.50

VANS US OPEN OF SURFING MEN’S QUARTERFINALS MATCH UPS:
QF 1: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.66 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.27
QF 2: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.50 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.43
QF 3: Matt Banting (AUS) 10.70 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.30
QF 4: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 13.64 def. Nat Young (USA) 5.83