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Crosby Colapinto Claims First Qualifying Series Win at Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1,500

by: WSL
Posted: March 25, 2019

Crosby Colapinto (USA) being hoisted up the beach for his QS win at the Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1,500. Photo:Nilton Baptista

HUNTINGTON BEACH...The 2019 World Surf League (WSL) men's Qualifying Series (QS) Jack's Surfboards Pro QS 1,500 crowned Crosby Colapinto (San Clemente, Calif.) its victor in pumping, five-to-six, occasional plus, foot swell on Huntington Beach Pier's southside lineup for his maiden QS win. This marked Colapinto's first Final at the QS level and waisted no opportunities during the best day of swell for the event, as well as any QS at the iconic southside lineup in recent memory, with excellent numbers in nearly all of his heats. The 17-year-old defeated an in-form Phillippe Chagas (BRA) during a tight Final bout.

A quick start from Chagas garnered a 7.17 (out of a possible 10) but the first wave of meaning for Colapinto came just minutes later and executed two powerful maneuvers in critical sections for an 8.50. The Final slowed as both competitors maintained their strength for golden opportunities and Colapinto found his under the five-minute mark to all but seal the win with a 7.00 as Chagas final attempt fell far short of the requirement.
 
"That was one of the best feelings in my life so far and this smile won't leave my face for a long time," Colapinto said. "This is crazy. I was just coming into this event trying to get a couple of points and to win it is just a dream. I worked hard for this and I had all my friends and family down here so it was a really good moment."
 
Colapinto smashed his way through a brilliant finals day run that included key victories beginning with a dominant win over one of the event's top standouts Kauli Vaast (FRA) (who earned a perfect 10 in Round 4) in their Quarterfinal bout -- posting a near-perfect 9.60 and event best 18.27 (out of a possible 20) heat total along the way. The 17-year-old moved into a heavy Semifinal affair against former Championship Tour (CT) competitor Nathan Yeomans (San Clemente, Calif.)which he took over before the Final against Chagas. Colapinto now prepares for a trip back to Australia to watch his older brother Griffin compete among the world's best when the Quiksilver and Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro kick off the 2019 CT season April 3.
 
"I knew there were going to five heats if I made the Final so I was planning at the beginning of the day to drink water, stay energized and keep calm between heats," Colapinto added. "You had to be on the best waves. Now I'm going to go to Snapper and Bells which will be super fun. I'm going to watch my brother smash the contests so that'll be cool. By the end of the year I want to be in the QS 10,000s at Hawaii, that's my goal, and to be in the QS 6,000s next season."

The Brazilian made his presence known during the last day of competition with a standout Round 5 performance and carried that momentum all the way to the Final showdown. Chagas started his campaign in Round 1, showcasing his determination and hard work throughout a talented field of competitors that culminated in a career-best runner-up. The 22-year-old charged through Central Coast standouts Dimitri Poulos (Ventura, Calif.) in the Quarterfinals and Braden Jones (Pismo Beach, Calif.) in a Semifinal battle. The expectant father-to-be was beside himself as his goal of reaching the Final was met and everything nearly falling into place.
 
"Words can't describe how happy I am and to know hard work pays off," Chagas said. "I'm really tired after surfing those five heats in a row, but it's unbelievable to see how hard you work come back to you. I left everything I had in every single heat and it was no different in the Final but Crosby was better so he deserved that. I gave all of myself and I have my baby girl coming soon so this is all for her. This is my first full year on the QS in over a year and a half, and I can't thank my sponsors enough for their support."
 
Yeomans crept through finals day until unleashing a big performance over Huntington's own, two-time Vans US Open winner and Championship Tour (CT) elite surfer, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) in Quarterfinal Heat 2. The 37-year-old's vicious backhand came through in the clutch with an 8.83 under the five-minute mark to turn the heat and Igarashi's last effort fell .07 short of the requirement. But his fellow San Clemente native overpowered the veteran with a big start that left Yeomans requiring an excellent 8.84.
 
Central California was well represented on finals day and Jones led the charge with his first-ever Semifinal appearance after blistering through with a flawless record until falling to Chagas. The Pismo Beach competitor now prepares to head straight for the next QS event in Peru for a chance at bringing this momentum to South America following his swan song, 8.40 as time ran out in his Semifinal battle.
 
Jack's Surfboards Pro Final Results:
1 – Crosby Colapinto (USA) 15.50       1,500 points
2 – Phillippe Chagas (BRA) 12.67         1,125 points
 
Jack's Surfboards Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 15.44 def. Nathan Yeomans (USA) 12.63
SF 2: Phillippe Chagas (BRA) 16.34 def. Braden Jones (USA)
 
Jack's Surfboards Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 18.27 def. Kauli Vaast (FRA) 11.70
QF 2: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 14.23 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.17
QF 3: Braden Jones (USA) 12.37 def. Danny Fuller (HAW) 6.27
QF 4: Phillippe Chagas (BRA) 13.67 def. Dimitri Poulos (USA) 12.53