Edouard Delpero shattered the curse by winning this Thursday in Salvador, his first title of world champion of Longboard Isa after three lost finals in 2019, 2023 and 2024. Double world champion in 2019 and 2023, Alice Lemoigne takes second place among the ladies.
The performances of the two tricolor locomotives, combined with the beautiful course of Roland Lefeuvre (7th) and Ophélie Ah-Kouen (13th) allow the French team, coached by the legend Antoine Delpero, to be world champion for the fourth time in her history since 2013.
After giving in to the pressure of a competition at home in 2019 (3rd in Biarritz), given his brother Antoine winning a second title when he took bronze in 2023 (Salvador), and missing his final in 2024 (4th in Salvador), Edouard Delepro This time put all the ingredients to win, from the first to the last series of its American Latin week. Without ever going through the draft box, winning the table final and then the grand finale, the Marseillais, an adoption Biarrot, smothered his opponents by flying over the final. Only the Brazilian Rodrigo Sphaier is not combo but far enough not to worry the French. Combining the classic (Hand Five, Hang Ten and Cut Back in Drop Knee) and the Modern (Carve and Reentry), Delpero was, finally, made a first name. And who better than his older brother, who had already won everything, could lead him to the coronation? Inducted coach of the French team, Antoine Delpero was able to bring his science of competition and his calm to wear and his brother, and the whole team to a new summit.
Alice Lemoigne (© ISA)
As in 2019, France misses the Grand Slam of nothing. Of a few tenths of point sinceAlice Lemoigne passed very close to a third individual title which, however, seemed to reach out to him after having obtained 9 pts on his first wave. But unlike the four repeat laps that she had managed to erase earlier, Lemoigne could not find a second wave sufficient to make the difference. Unlike the American Rachael Tilly, WSL world champion last year and who therefore succeeded in the double. The disappointment of Reunionese, however, was quickly overshadowed by the joy shared with his teammates to win the world title of nations.
A success that makes France, and by far, the n.1 nation of the large board with four victories in five participations (out of 6 editions). A success that she also owes to the two new “little” Roland Lefeuvre et Ophélie Ah-kouen. The Biarrot has surprised by its calm, its technique and its strategy, allowing itself to beat some of the best in the world, including outgoing champion Kai Sallas (Hawaii). For his first, Lefeuvre takes a very beautiful 7th place. Returning from injury (knee), Ophélie Ah-Kouen managed to win her race against the clock, win the selections in front of Justine Dupont, discover the Tricolore collective and the Worlds, to advance very far in the competition. Beaten in draft by… Alice Lemoigne (a Franco-French habit from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games), Ah-Kouen leaves the Salvador with a 13th individual place and the gold medal by teams around the neck.
This title, finally, is also that of Zoé Grospiron, finalist last year and forfeited this year, and to whom the Blues and the Federation dedicate this victory.
The finals
Gentlemen
1. Edouard Delper (France) 18.24 pts
2. Rodrigo Sphaier (Brazil) 15.97 pts
3. Rogelio Esquievel Jr (Philippines) 14.83 pts
4. Taka Inoue (Japan) 12.43 PTS
…
7. Roland Lefeuvre (France)
Dames
1. Rachael Tilly (United States) 15.13 pts
2. Alice Lemoine (France) 14.60 pts
3. MARIA FERNANDA REYES (PEROU) 13.97 pts
4. Sophia Cuhane (Hawaii) 12.66 pts
…
13. Ophélie Ah-kouen (France)
The French Team
– Alice Lemoigne (28 years old, Titan Surf Club)
– Ophélie Ah-Kouen (31 years old, Leu Tropical Surf Team)
– Édouard Delpero (35, Biarritz Association Surf Clubs)
– Roland Lefeuvre (36, Côte des Basques Surf Club)
The staff was made up of Stéphane Corbinien (Team Manager), Antoine Delpero (Coach) and Laurent Rondi (elected FFSURF)
Antoine Delpero (coach of the French team)
“I admit that this is the dream scenario scenario. It’s just incredible what just happened today (Thursday) following a long week of competition. (Isa) are always long competitions. It’s hard to hold on physical, mental level. It’s very hard for athletes. And that’s it! In addition, I have my brother who has just been world champion, so it’s a crazy thing. It’s great. I’m so happy to have come for that. I don’t have the words to say it but it’s just incredible to have been there to see that. (Moved) I am still in the process of emotion. France recovers its title of world champion. Apart from last year, we won all previous editions. And thanks to the whole team elsewhere, thanks to the group’s atmosphere, thanks to Ophélie (Ah-Kouen), thanks to Roland (Lefeuvre), thanks to Alice (Lemoigne). Alice who is just going from first place to the second. We thought she was going to have the scoring. We don’t really know what happened but hey, it’s the game of competition. And there you go, seeing my brother becoming world champion here is a crazy thing. It’s just fabulous! »»
