LOCALS KANOA IGARASHI AND COURTNEY CONLOGUE WIN 2018 US OPEN OF SURFING
Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch Comes to a Close Following Nine Days of Competition Celebrating the World’s Best Action Sports Talent in Surfing, Skateboarding, and BMX
Orange County, Calif. Natives Courtney Conlogue and Kanoa Igarashi Claim Dramatic Wins in Surfing; Dennis Enarson Garners Back-to-Back Vans BMX Pro Cup Huntington Beach Victory; Nikita Ducarroz Wins Her First Vans BMX Pro Cup Women’s Title
Huntington Beach, Calif./USA (August 5, 2018) — The Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch, one of the largest action sports festivals in the world, came to a close today following nine days of competition celebrating the world’s best action sports talent in surfing, skateboarding and BMX on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier. The highly-anticipated summer event featured an exceptional entertainment experience, showcasing the world’s best action sports athletes on a global stage while also hosting a variety of hands-on events and creative workshops for attendees, including customization workshops, movie premieres, vendor exhibitions and giveaways, live music and art exhibitions.
Winners were crowned in final competitions for the World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour (CT) and Men’s Qualifying Series (QS) in surfing, and the Vans BMX Pro Cup Huntington Beach today. Hometown hero Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) won his second consecutive Vans US Open of Surfing title in the World Surf League Men’s QS division, while fellow Orange County native Courtney Conlogue (USA) was crowned the winner of Stop No. 7 of the Women’s Championship Tour (CT) in surfing. In BMX, Nikita Ducarroz (USA) won her first Vans BMX Pro Cup women’s title and Dennis Enarson (USA) claimed back-to-back Vans BMX Pro Cup Huntington Beach victories.
From L to R – Hometown heroes Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Courtney Conlogue (USA) win the 2018 Vans US Open of Surfing presented by Swatch titles. Credit: WSL / Morris
COMPETITION
SURF: Courtney Conlogue’s (USA) dream of winning the esteemed US Open title as a CT contender were realized after taking down current Jeep Rankings Leader Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in dramatic fashion. Conlogue’s win also comes after a sidelining foot injury sustained earlier this season. Gilmore now leads the World Rankings with 4,000 points over Lakey Peterson (USA) heading into the Surf Ranch Pro.
Following a captivating performance from Conlogue, fellow hometown hero Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) fed off the crowd’s energy and delivered an incredible final showdown against Griffin Colapinto (USA) to mark the first back-to-back US Open victory since one of Huntington Beach’s most revered surfers Brett Simpson (USA) did so in 2008 and 2009.
Women’s podium at Vans BMX Pro Cup Huntington Beach final. L-R: Nikita Ducarro, , Macarena Perez and Teresa Azcoaga. Credit: Colin Mackay
BMX: The Vans BMX Pro Cup took flight as 35 of the world’s best men and women park terrain BMX riders competed for the final rounds of 2018 Pro Tour stop No. 2. Capping off the week-long celebration of action sports at the Vans US Open of Surfing, the Vans BMX Pro Cup Series crowned winners Dennis Enarson and Nikita Duccaroz in front of massive crowds earlier this afternoon. Annihilating the custom-spec Vans Pro Park, defending Vans Pro Cup Huntington Beach event winner Enarson triumphed once again, taking a back-to-back event victory with his signature transfers and a gravity-defying backflip tailwhip that stunned the Surf City crowd.
The next stop on the 2018 Vans BMX Pro Cup World Tour heads to Guadalajara, Mexico on August 24 – 26. For detailed information on the Vans BMX Pro Cup Series results, competition format, locations, athletes, tour highlights, photos, videos, and to watch the live webcast, visit www.vansbmxprocup.com.
For comprehensive results or more information on the Vans US Open of Surfing, go to VansUSOpenofSurfing.com.
Men’s podium at the Vans BMX Pro Cup Huntington Beach event. L-R: Dennis Enarson, Alex Hiam, Larry Edgar. Credit: Colin Mackay
SPONSORS: Recognized as the largest professional sports competition and action sports festival in the world, the Vans US Open of Surfing is currently sanctioned and operated by the World Surf League under license from IMG, the event owner. Official partners of this year’s event include Vans, Swatch, Jeep, Airbnb, Michelob ULTRA, Hydro Flask, LifeProof, Jose Cuervo, Barefoot Wine, Woolmark, BF Goodrich, Harley-Davidson, Peet’s Coffee, Red Bull, U.S. Army, Slowtide, CLIF Bar, U.S. Marine Corps, Let it Block Sunscreen, Tea of a Kind, Flowater and Frontier Communications.
