Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins won the QS 3,000 Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay, claiming victory in the final against Pauline Ado from France on Sunday, 26 February 2023.
Stop No. 5 of 6 on the 2022-23 World Surf League (WSL) European Qualifying Series (QS), the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay has been juggling with an extremely complicated forecast for both the main venue of Anchor Point and the backup of Anza.
Despite being in the heart of the best season for swell and weather, the event was unlucky with very little energy in the ocean for the entire waiting period and inclement weather at times. The event eventually culminated with excellent finals in clean surf, giving everyone a very good reason to come back next year.
“It feels amazing to win again,” Hopkins said. “It brings back joyful memories of Anglet as well. The Final was a battle but I tried to keep my head straight, keep catching waves and stay calm.”
Ado and Hopkins, both regular foot, powerful surfers with loads of experience, including at the inaugural surfing Olympics in Tokyo, took on the rights of Anza with a similar approach. The French surfer got a quick head start and the better of the opening exchange, but Hopkins came back in the fight midway through the heat and claimed back the lead.
A battle of margins, both surfers with scores in the 6-7 range (out of a possible 10), eventually went Hopkins’ way as the Portuguese walked away with the win.
“I think this could be my year,” she added. “Let’s just keep this streak going into the Challengers and hopefully we have another European on the CT next year! I absolutely loved my time here, I found an amazing secret wave and got some proper Moroccan rights, I’ll definitely be back!”
Already in the regional rankings lead, courtesy of two wins last summer, Hopkins solidified her pole position with today’s victory and will be hard to dethrone with only one event remaining. Her career-fourth win in Taghazout is very likely to transform into a first regional QS title down the line.
Ado adds another strong result to a solid season with the runner-up finish today. A winner on tour almost every season, her current winless streak is poised to end before the season wraps.
“It came down to very small details so it’s always a bit frustrating to get to the final and not go all the way but overall it’s a very positive week for me,” Ado reflected. “I’m taking a leap in the rankings so my main objective is reached. I always find things to work on, be it technique, or mental game and heat management, this is what keeps the flame burning, and why I’m still as passionate about surfing and competition as ever.”
Ado and Hopkins had previously eliminated Carolina Mendes (POR) and Francisca Veselko (POR) respectively in their Semifinal matchups.
Photo 1 Caption: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) winner of the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay on February 26, 2023 at Taghazout Bay, Morocco. Photo: Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
With editing by gsport
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