Surfing-Brooks takes three-peat at Trestles Pro; Pupo claims men's win for Brazil

Canadian teenager Erin Brooks claimed her third consecutive victory at the Trestles Pro surfing competition on Friday, solidifying her reign as the world champion. At 19 years old, Brooks had faced initial struggles in her sophomore season, failing to advance past the second round. However, she turned things around with a remarkable performance in Tahiti, followed by another win at the Fiji Pro just a few weeks later.

The 2028 LA Olympics venue, Lower Trestles, offered a unique set of challenges for the final event, with high-performance, head-high waves. Brooks overcame five-time world champion Carissa Moore in the quarterfinals and Australia's reigning world champion Molly Picklum in the semifinals. In the final, she dominated world No. 1 Gabriela Bryan, scoring impressive 7.0 for sharp backhand turns, followed by a 5.57 for a total of 11.90.

Bryan managed to stay in contention with a 6.33, showcasing powerful forehand gouges and a 5.57, contributing to a 11.90 total. Brooks took control throughout the competition, leading after a second mid-range score and securing the win with a well-executed right-hander as the clock ran down, resulting in a 13-point total.

Brooks expressed her satisfaction with her achievement, stating that the numerous difficult heats made her even more determined to work harder. She recounted how, during last year's competition, she witnessed other competitors receive their trophies while she was surfing the final, inspiring her to secure her own victory this year.

Meanwhile, Brazil's Miguel Pupo claimed the men's title with a second win of the year, defeating Japan's Kanoa Igarashi. Igarashi, who moved to Southern California with his family at birth, had won silver for Japan at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite early setbacks, Pupo's determined performance allowed him to secure the win with a total of 14.77.