Gabriel Medina claimed his first World Surf League victory since April 2023, winning the inaugural event at Cloud 9 in the Philippines on Tuesday. The three-time world champion’s result moved him into second place in the 2026 rankings, behind reigning world champion Yago Dora, whom he defeated in the semifinals.
In the final, Medina faced Australian tube specialist Jack Robinson. After opening with a wave scored 7.5, Medina waited for a larger set and rode a long, powerful tube to earn 9.43. His two-wave total of 16.93 beat Robinson’s 14.50. Robinson’s best wave scored 8.23, but he could not find the score needed to take the lead.
Medina said the victory meant a lot after he had finished second three times during the year. His previous tour win came at Margaret River in Australia. The final stop of the world circuit is scheduled for Pipeline, Hawaii, from December 8 to 20.
In the women’s event, California’s Caitlin Simmers overcame an ankle injury to defeat Australia’s Isabella Nichols. Simmers took an early lead with a difficult tube and a strong finishing maneuver, scoring 6.33. Nichols, who was also competing while recovering from ankle surgery, responded with a wave worth 7 points.
Simmers then put together another tube-and-maneuver combination and finished with a two-wave total of 12, ahead of Nichols’ 10.77. The 21-year-old, world champion in 2024, climbed three places to third in the rankings and will head to Pipeline chasing leader Molly Picklum and Carissa Moore.
Sources: Folha Esporte.