Zeke Lau & Bettylou Sakura Johnson Win The Vans US Open Of Surfing
Hawaii dominates HB.
Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Ezekiel Lau have been crowned your Vans US Open of Surfing champs, while Kelis Kaleopa’a and Taylor Jensen have taken out the Vans Duct Tape Invitational.
Now, let’s discuss everything that happened on Finals Day.
Last year’s US Open winner Caity Simmers bonked her head and got KO’d in the quarters. Despite the loss, Caity’s CS point total is likely enough for her to qualify again in 2022, so this defeat shouldn’t leave too much of a bruise.
Stab Highway MVP Eithan Osborne came up just short in the semis after his final wave fizzled on the inside bank. Didn’t choke up or anything, just fell short to The Ultimate Surfer. Evan Geiselman met a similar fate in his semifinal, which was decided by a tenth of a point.
It was a mixed bag in the Vans Duct Tape invitational, with traditionalist logger Kelis Kaleopa’a winning the women’s division, and Buzz Flightyear taking out the men’s. Don’t worry, longboard purists — no ramps were harmed in the making of Taylor Jensen’s victory.
The women’s final was a battle between Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Macy Callahan, but it was the Hawaiian’s quick reflexes and superior wave selection that led her to victory. Macy and Bettylou have now jumped to 3rd and 4th on the Challenger Series, meaning they’re just one result away from re-qualifying for the CT.
In the men’s final, it was Joao’s juicy thighs versus Zeke’s blinding surfboard. Going blow-for-blow in fun Huntington peaks, the human highlighter took out his second Challenger Series event in as many years, jumping to world number three in the process. You wouldn’t want to be a lip or a poorly written essay in this man’s vicinity.
With wins by Kelis, Bettylou, and Zeke, Hawaiians dominated 75% of the divisions in this year’s Vans US Open. That’s a higher hit rate than Mateus Herdy on Tinder.
Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Final Results:
- 1 – Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 12.00
- 2 – Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.40
Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Final Results:
- 1 – Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.40
- 2 – Joao Chianca (BRA) 11.43
Vans Duct Tape Invitational Women’s Final Results:
- 1 – Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW) 12.97
- 2 – Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 11.47
Vans Duct Tape Invitational Men’s Final Results:
- 1 -Taylor Jensen (USA) vs. 13.84
- 2 – Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 11.60
Vans US Open of Surfing Women’s Semifinal Results:
- Heat 1: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 12.33 vs. Caroline Marks (USA) 8.33
- Heat 2: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 15.50 vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 14.10
Vans US Open of Surfing Men’s Semifinal Results:
- Heat 1: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.77 vs. Eithan Osborne (USA) 11.43
- Heat 2: Evan Geiselman (USA) 12.64 vs. Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.54
Vans Duct Tape Invitational Women’s Semifinal Results:
- Heat 1: Kelis Kaleopa’a (HAW)11.24 vs. Kaitlin Mikkelsen (USA) 7.70
- Heat 2: Honolua Blomfield (HAW) 15.43 vs. Rachael Tilly (USA) 10.10
Vans Duct Tape Invitational Men’s Semifinal Results:
- Heat 1: Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.83 vs. Kaimana Takayama (USA) 10.57
- Heat 2: Justin Quintal (USA) 12.66 vs. Kaniela Stewart (HAW) 13.30
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