It is definitely the fashionable surname of these 60th French Surfing Championships by Banque Populaire. Because after Clémence's junior shortboard victory last Thursday, it's the turn of her brothers, Niels and Alix, to shine, this time in bodysurfing. The two brothers indeed went for the first two places in the category, while Uhaina Kailani Hegoas went for the women's title. The Open shortboard (men and women) was able to enter the competition with the 1st round surfed in both categories.
Niels Schorsch ©FFSurf / WeCreative / Guillaume Arrieta
The beautiful autumnal sunshine of the first days has well and truly disappeared… After a day off from competition yesterday, the 60th French Surf Championships by Banque Populaire returned to action this Saturday morning with much more wintry weather. Under the cold and rain, the bodysurfers launched hostilities on the Prévent side, while the men's shortboard open call, initially planned for the North, was only postponed and finally launched around midday side of Santocha. Whether on the Prévent or Santocha side, the competitors had to battle with waves of 1m50 and more, very clean in the morning, but much more damaged by the wind in the afternoon. Overview of what happened this Friday, as the conditions look very promising for the rest of the competition.
Double blow for the Schorsch brothers!
It's definitely a trendy name this week. Because after Clémence's title of French champion among the shortboard cadets on Thursdayit's the turn of his two brothers Niels and Alix to shine, this time in bodysurfing. If the first managed to win his first French champion title, the second went for 2nd place, offering the two brothers a historic double, two days after the coronation of their sister in the junior shortboard. It must be said that they were able to take advantage of the poor performance of Nathan Lehoux, double national title holder and indisputable French number 1 in the discipline, whose career ended in 1/2, after having already passed through repechage. The morning. This shows the high level of French bodysurfing today! But if Alix Schorsch dominated the federal circuit this season (and incidentally her little brother in the 2nd round), it was Niels who took first place in the final by only 0.5 pts! Charles Valet (3rd) and Paul Grieumard (4th) complete the podium.
Niels Schorsch ©FFSurf / WeCreative / Guillaume Arrieta
Uhaina Kailani Hegoas un cran au-dessus
Bodysurfing world champion last August On the side of California, winner of the final of the IBSA world tour in Hawaii last June, Biarrote was clearly the favorite this year among the girls. Expected, Uhaina did not tremble, winning quite easily it must be admitted, her 1/2 but also her final. In strong conditions, the young 16-year-old bodysurfer always managed to position herself well to take on the best waves of the morning. She confirms her new status as world number 1 acquired this summer. Léa Novion takes 2nd place. Titled in 2021, Christelle Giust takes 3rd place, Nina Declercq is 4th.
Uhaina Kailani Hegoas ©FFSurf / WeCreative / Guillaume Arrieta
Shortboard Open, it works for (almost) all the favorites
The first men's and women's rounds of the Open shortboard were launched this Saturday afternoon at Santocha. Among the men's top seeds, Luan Nogues, Nicolas Paulet, Paco Alonzo, Justin Becret, Erwan Blouin, Sam Piter and Enzo Cavallini go directly to the 2nd round. Léo-Paul Etienne will have to go through the repechage, beaten in his series by the Basque Kepa Housset-Ezponda, just like the Martinican Maël Laborde, reigning French champion.
Among the women, it also goes to Nahia Milhau, Aelan Vaast, Sarah Leiceaga and Clémence Schorsch who all join directly the 2nd round. Among the other top seeds, Maëlys Jouault and Anaïs Blanchard will have to go through the repechage.
Massacre of injured
The shortboard open and shortboard undine categories have seen their list change considerably in recent days, due to numerous injuries. Jorgann Couzinet, Thomas Debierre, Tristan Guilbaud and Gaspard Larsonneur had to withdraw from these French Championships due to injuries. Ditto for Joan Duru who was injured during the Quiksilver Festival a few days ago.
The tricolors, guest on our show Surf Club last nightalso took advantage of this live broadcast (and indirectly of this injury) to announce that he wanted to retire from sports in order to devote himself more to coaching and support, highlighting his desire to pass on. “I don’t think I’ll take the QS again next year” he told us last night. “I'm going to take a few quiet years (…) Perhaps this is the time for me to share my experience. I want to transmit. I think this is the end.” . Thanks for every champion!
The show is to (re)see right here.
The live broadcast can be found every evening from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Fédé's Facebook.
THE RESULTS OF THE DAY’S FINALS
Bodysurf Open
1 – Niels Schorsch (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 11.24 pts
2 – Alix Schorsch (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 11 pts
3 – Charles Valet (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 9.73 pts
4 – Paul Grieumard (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 7.54 pts
Bodysurf Ondines
1 – Uhaina Kailani Hegoas (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 11.67 pts
2 – Léa Novion (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 7.03 pts
3 – Christelle Giust (Reunion) – 6.14 pts
4 – Nina Declercq (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) – 5.13 pts
REACTIONS
Uhaina Kailani Hegoas, French bodysurf champion Ondines
“It was so good! The weather wasn't great but we had superb waves. It was great! Big waves, small tubes… A treat! I'm super happy because there were several girls We're lacking girls in bodysurfing and it's very cool to see so many this year. The atmosphere was great today, I just wanted to have fun, take some good waves, without pressure and that worked for me. successful”.
Niels Schorsch, champion de France bodysurf Open
“I came here with two goals: to go to the final and beat my brother! However, I was hot because in the final I cramped from my first duck. I still managed to have two good waves for good starting and having my brother was great, we had a lot of laughs together in the water.”
Alix Schorsch, vice champion de France de bodysurf Open
“It was really cool. The waves weren't tip-top but we had a good laugh at the peak. It's very cool that he won, it's just happiness. Finishing behind him? I'm cool with it. really. After our sister's title yesterday, we're going to have a restaurant again this evening (laughing).”
TOMORROW’S PROVISIONAL PROGRAM
The call is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Santocha and Gardians, 10 a.m. at South.
SANTOCHA / CAPBRETON
– Bodysurf hopefuls
– Bodyboard juniors
– Kneeboard
– Bodysurf undines hopefuls
THE SOUTH / HOSSEGOR
– Skimboard
– Tandem (depending on conditions)
GARDIANS HOSSEGOR
– Shortboard Open
– Shortboard Ondines
– Tandem (depending on conditions)