PARA SURF WORLDS – From November 3 to 9, the Para Surfing Worlds are in full swing in Huntington Beach. The French team, which is putting its title back on the line, is defending it perfectly for the moment. Guillaume Colin won the title of world champion, the young Maxime Clarkin took bronze.
The French team was at the top of the rankings last year thanks to seven medals gleaned from the 11 finalists. This year again, the fight with the United States rages on. While three Americans have already reached the podium (1 gold, 2 silver), the Blues have also started their harvest. Deprived of their world champion Laurie Phippsinjured, the French were able to count on Guillaume Colin to win a first gold medal.
Guillaume Colin crushes the competition
Vice-world champion two years ago, Colin finished fourth in 2023. At the end of a faultless run, he this time became world champion. The Frenchman dominated his competitors head and shoulders, whether during the heats or the final (sitting category). Imperial on the final stage, he already had a good head start on Chris Oberle, Jeff Munson et Juan Manuel Solano before definitively confirming their hopes thanks to a perfect wave, rated 9.93. Guillaume Colin won with more than 7 points ahead of the American Oberle, second. Note that the Brazilian Felipe Lima was not present, but the Frenchman's total score of 18.43 would surely have undermined the three-time defending champion as well.
To this magnificent world title is added a bronze medal, brought by the young Maxime Clarkin in stand 1 (standing). Like Guillaume Colin, he dominated his qualifications but missed a few opportunities in the final to respond to Shingo Kato et Camilo Abdula. A good third place nonetheless for Clarkin. At only 14 years old, time is on his side.
With nine more French representatives involved in the various finals this Saturday, November 9, the French team can still claim to retain first place in the nation rankings. Among them, Eric Dargentafter 3 silver world medals (stand 3), will try to climb to the top step this time. Lou Méchiche et Héloïse Lauriol both find themselves in the race for gold in VI2, as Valentine Moskoteco et Juliette Mas (Vi1).
