Joan Duru (FRA) claimed his second consecutive Protest Vendee Pro title defeating Glen Hall (IRL) in a low scoring 35-minute final. Using his priority and taking advantage of the scarce waves on offer Duru made history being the first competitor to claim The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Protest Vendee Pro twice in-a-row.

After waiting for the tide to push in over the reef at La Sauzaie consistent 3-4ft (1.0m) waves were on offer for the final day of competition of the US$ 85.000 ASP Men’s Star event. Late this afternoon the huge full tide meant fewer sets coming through the final hour of competition.

Joan Duru (FRA) was unstoppable today as he steam rolled his way through the quarters and semi finals to enter the final heat as clear favourite to take out this year’s title. Duru used his experience of the break at La Sauzaie to anticipate the ever changing conditions with the high tide and get some scores on the board before concentrating on any major waves.

Taking advantage of Hall’s decision to go on the first wave of one of the biggest sets of the day Duru paddled into the following wave to execute a series of powerful backhand smashes to score an 8.33 out of a possible 10 and clinch the victory.

“Glenn is a really good competitor and I knew the waves were going to be a little worse so I tried to get some good ones at the start but I fell off. He took the first wave of that set and he had priority and I don’t know what he did but the second one was good and that was when I got the victory.”

Visibly pleased with his win Duru maintained his composure and reflected on the Protest Vendee Pro, his European Men’s Series ratings and his future events.

“I like this place a lot and everything is perfect. The weather is perfect and there are so many people here today it’s great and it is good for me to be up high now on the ratings because I would really like to be European champion again. From here I’m off to Trestles where I hope to continue with the confidence I have gained at Vendee.”

Glen Hall (IRL) finished second at the Protest Vendee Pro his best result at this event and the outright lead on the European Men’s Series ratings. Holding priority for the majority of the final Hall found himself in a do or die situation as the clock ran down. Needing to get back into the final Hall made a last ditched effort to haul back Duru’s commanding lead but unfortunately his wave selection was off allowing his opponent the advantage of a much higher points scoring potential wave.

“I’m not too disappointed with the overall results and it was the waves that let me down a little bit in the final. I feel like I did a few errors with my priority but it was probably more the fact that I was just trying to get into the game because I hadn’t had a wave yet so that’s why I took that wave.”

Fewer and fewer sets came through leaving both finalists surprised at the situation they found themselves in.

“We were both sitting out there getting cold thinking where have the waves gone so it was just one of those things and Joan came out on top so good on him.”

Photo credit : Johann Mouchel