<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/connor-oleary" target="_blank">Connor O'Leary</a></strong> (AUS) and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/brisa-hennessy" target="_blank">Brisa Hennessy</a></strong> (CRI) have won the Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France, claiming victory in the Final bouts against <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/michel-bourez" target="_blank">Michel Bourez</a></strong> (FRA) and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/india-robinson" target="_blank">India Robinson</a></strong> (AUS) respectively, held in three-to-four foot surf at Culs Nus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stop No. 3 of 4 on the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series, the Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France had to negotiate through a very tricky forecast and timed competition perfectly to finish in classic French beachbreak conditions to crown the event winners in front of capacity crowds once again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m so happy to win and to have all the support from my amazing family and friends it’s a really special moment for me,” Hennessy stated. “India is a great competitor, I’m so proud of her and I believe she deserves to be at the top. It was definitely back-to-back and the waves totally changed and I was grateful I got that wave at the end.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After two seasons on the Championship Tour, Hennessy failed to retain her spot at the end of the 2021 season but today took a big step forward in her requalifying effort for next year. Her path to the Final was flawless as she defeated all the form surfers of the moment to claim her first win at this level of competition. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coming into France ranked second on the Challenger Series after a 5th place in Portugal, Hennessy moved into 1st overtaking <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/gabriela-bryan" target="_blank">Gabriela Bryan</a></strong> (HAW) who had an uncharacteristic first-round exit in France.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Final, Hennessy swung first with a quick two-turn combo and a 6.83 to jump in an early lead and apply pressure on Robinson. The next exchange happened on smaller waves that didn’t offer quite as much wall to work with and both surfers walked away with an average number for their effort, the Australian with a slight advantage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Under priority, Hennessy managed to find a couple of inside lefts to further improve her lead while her opponent was unable to position herself in the shifting sets out the back. On the 5-minute mark, Robinson finally found herself on a bomb and tagged it a number of times on her backhand for a 7.83 to turn the heat. But the Costa Rican answered right away with two massive turns for an excellent 8.40 to seal the deal on her ROXY Pro France victory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">India Robinson (AUS)’s runner-up today marks her career-best result so far. The Australian has been building momentum since the series started at the US Open and posted a huge statement today. The result will propel her into qualifying discussions in the 4th spot on the rankings before the final stop of the season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I’m super stoked on making my first Final at the Challenger Series level,” Robinson said. “I knew going up against Brisa was going to be tough, but ultimately my goal is to make the CT so I better get used to it. I’m super excited to go to Haleiwa next, where I’m from we have a lot of waves and power so I feel like I’m going to be comfortable there. The whole Aussie crew we’re such a close bunch and to see Connor win was really cool!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Men’s Final, a pretty even first half of the heat saw Michel Bourez (FRA) and Connor O'Leary (AUS) exchange similar scores on the rights and lefts of Culs Nus with an advantage for the Australian. O’Leary pushed the Tahitian’s requirement a touch higher with a good little left he punctuated with a clean straight air midway through the heat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately for the Frenchman, the rights that gave him his best scores so far had disappeared and the lefts clearly favored O’Leary’s forehand attack and air game. As the clock ran down, Bourez was unable to fight back and O’Leary walked away with the win in the Quiksilver Pro France.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I feel amazing, it’s been a huge day,” O’Leary said. “I’m literally on top of the world right now and cramping up, can’t wait to have a beer! I’ll just really enjoy the afternoon with the lads, they’ve been incredibly supportive so we’ll try to keep it up and finish the year strong!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a terrible start both in California and Portugal, the Australian from Cronulla needed something big in France and delivered with his first major win since Ballito in 2016. Today’s 10,000 points moved him up 94 spots into 6th on the Challenger Series rankings and virtually within reach of a fourth season among the world’s best in 2022.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tahiti’s Michel Bourez (FRA) was in a similarly tough position coming ranked 108th before today. The Championship Tour veteran, a former winner on tour at Pipeline, Margaret River and Rio, grabbed the runner-up points to move into the Top 20 with one event remaining in Hawaii, a place where Bourez has performed exceptionally well in the past.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Second place is good but first is always better,” Bourez said. “I’ve really tried my best and unfortunately it got a little tricky at the end there and he got the best of me. Connor’s one of the best surfers on tour and I want the best for him so I’m really happy for him. Hawaii and the good waves are coming so I’m really going to focus on that right now.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other big winners in France this week include <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/lucca-mesinas" target="_blank">Lucca Mesinas</a></strong> (PER), <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/joao-chianca" target="_blank">Joao Chianca</a></strong> (BRA) and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/carlos-munoz" target="_blank">Carlos Munoz</a></strong> (CRI) who all moved within the qualifying Top 12 currently. Semifinalist <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/mateus-herdy" target="_blank">Mateus Herdy</a></strong> (BRA) got closer in 17th position, and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/kanoa-igarashi" target="_blank">Kanoa Igarashi</a></strong> (JPN) takes the rankings lead, but has already qualified via the CT.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the women’s rankings, <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/sawyer-lindblad" target="_blank">Sawyer Lindblad</a></strong> (USA) and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/vahine-fierro" target="_blank">Vahine Fierro</a></strong> (FRA) both move into the current Top 6 and <strong><a href="https://www.boardriding.com/riders/caitlin-simmers" target="_blank">Caitlin Simmers</a></strong> (USA) regains a little breathing room with her Semifinal finish in France that anchors her in 3rd on the rankings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are the current Men’s Top12 and Women’s Top6 on the Challenger Series:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Men’s Challenger Series Top 12:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Ezekiel Lau (HAW) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 - Jake Marshall (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">4 - Imaikalani Devault (HAW) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">5 - Nat Young (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">6 - Connor O'Leary (AUS) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">6 - Lucca Mesinas (PER) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">6 - Joao Chianca (BRA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">9 - Liam O'Brien (AUS) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">9 - Griffin Colapinto (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">11 - Carlos Munoz (CRI) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">12 - Callum Robson (AUS) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Women’s Challenger Series Top 6:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Brisa Hennessy (CRI) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Gabriela Bryan (HAW) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">3 - Caitlin Simmers (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">4 - India Robinson (AUS) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">5 - Sawyer Lindblad (USA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;">6 - Vahine Fierro (FRA) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The final stop on the 2021 Challenger Series will bring some of the world’s best surfers to Haleiwa, Hawaii from November 26 - December 7, 2021.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 2021 Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France will unfold from October 16-24, 2021, at Capbreton / Hossegor / Seignosse, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine - France. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to <strong><a href="https://www.worldsurfleague.com/" target="_blank">worldsurfleague.com</a></strong>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Quiksilver and ROXY Pro France are made possible with the support of the cities of Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse, MACS, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Quiksilver and ROXY, Oakley, Hydro Flask, Tourtel Twist.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE FINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Connor O'Leary (AUS) 12.76</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - Michel Bourez (FRA) 10.73</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ROXY PRO FRANCE FINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">1 - Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 15.23</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2 - India Robinson (AUS) 13.16</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">SF 1: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 13.93 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)12.40</div><div style="text-align: justify;">SF 2: Michel Bourez (FRA) 15.17 def. Mateus Herdy (BRA) 5.53</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ROXY PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">SF 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 14.50 def. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 13.73</div><div style="text-align: justify;">SF 2: India Robinson (AUS) 15.60 def. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.27</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 1: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 12.84 def. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 7.37</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.70 def. Lucca Mesinas (PER) 13.84</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 3: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 13.73 def. Carlos Munoz (CRI) 2.30</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 4: Michel Bourez (FRA) 9.77 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 9.60</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>ROXY PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 15.17 def. Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 7.20</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 2: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 13.33 def. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 8.83</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 3: India Robinson (AUS) 10.50 def. Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.07</div><div style="text-align: justify;">QF 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.93 def. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 11.04</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>