Surfing 2024 Paris Olympics Review

Men’s Event

In the heats, John John Florence (United States) showed his mastery of Tahiti's waves, posting the highest score. In round two, the eliminations began with standout names Leonardo Fioravanti (Italy) and Rio Waida (Indonesia) eliminated. In round three, Reo Inaba (Japan) upset Filipe Toledo (Brazil). Florence lost to Jack Robinson (Australia) while Gabriel Medina (Brazil) scored a brilliant 9.9 ride to set up a clash with Joao Chianca (Brazil) who scored 18.1 overall. Alonso Correa (Peru), Kauli Vaast (France), Medina and Robinson made the semi finals. In low scoring semi-finals, it was Vaast and Robinson who progressed. In the final, Vaast struck early, scoring a 9.5. He followed it up with a 8.17 and with the waves fading, was able to hold on for a monumental gold.

🥇Kauli Vaast 🇫🇷

🥈Jack Robinson 🇦🇺

🥉Gabriel Medina 🇧🇷

Prediction analysis; 2 Medallists correct, 1 perfect prediction 

I was along the right lines here. Vaast was someone I referenced as having a better chance because the surfing was here but ultimately didn’t go for. 

Women’s Event

Caroline Marks (United States) gave notice straight away with a score of 17.93 in the heats. The elimination round claimed some big names including Molly Picklum (Australia). The quarter finals were low scoring with Johanne Defay (France) the only surfer scoring over 10. She was joined by Marks, Tatiana Weston-Webb (Brazil) and Brisa Hennessy (Costa Rica) in the semi finals. The first semi final was incredibly tense. Defay got the early lead but Marks was able to regain the lead. Defay equalled the scores up but it was Marks who progressed with the biggest wave. A penalty dented the hopes of Hennessy in the other semi as she was penalised for priority interference. In the final, Marks got out early with a big score and Weston-Webb was never able to get back on terms.

🥇Caroline Marks 🇺🇸

🥈Tatiana Weston-Webb 🇧🇷

🥉Johanne Defay 🇫🇷

Prediction analysis; 0 Medallists correct

This time, I gave it to the Tahiti specialist and she went out to Defay. Marks’ results this season put me off as she had not really been to enough finals, although I mentioned her and Weston-Webb as serious medal contenders.