You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
John Mark Tokong<br />
Brown (GBR) in the Final, who, in the Semifinals, posted the<br />
second-highest heat total of the entire event to take down<br />
reigning event winner Nilbie Blancada (PHL). 17-yearold<br />
Matsuoka wasn’t phased, as the pair went tit-for-tat,<br />
exchanging waves and the lead until Matsuoka closed the<br />
door with three huge backside snaps to lock in her 12.00<br />
point two-wave total and the win.<br />
“I’m so happy to take this win,” Matsuoka said. “It was cool<br />
to come up against Sky (Brown) in the Final. She is also<br />
a goofy footer and one of my favourite surfers, so it was<br />
always going to be a challenge to overcome her. I have a big<br />
run of events coming up,<br />
Matsuoka came up<br />
against 15-year-old<br />
phenom Sky Brown<br />
(GBR) in the Final,<br />
who, in the Semifinals,<br />
posted the second-<br />
highest heat total of<br />
the entire event...<br />
so to start it off with a<br />
win feels really amazing.<br />
I’ve had an amazing week<br />
here in the Philippines,<br />
and this win really tops<br />
it off.”<br />
Although Azuchi and<br />
Brown fell short of the<br />
win, the runner-up finish<br />
was the best of Sky<br />
Brown’s career and was<br />
enough to put Azuchi at<br />
number 1 on the WSL Asia regional rankings.<br />
The <strong>2023</strong> Siargao International Surfing Cup QS 3000 ran at<br />
Cloud 9 in the Philippines from October 26 to November<br />
1. For more information and results, head to www.<br />
worldsurfleague.com<br />
20
Change language