In three-to-four-foot surf, Hawaiian Zeke Lau won the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach. By far the largest win of his career, this victory nets him $40,000 and puts him in 35th position in the ASP World Rankings. On the tail of a diminishing swell, Lau defeated Damien Hobgood, Raoni Monteiro, and Frederico Morias to took home the coveted trophy.
The win puts twenty-year-old Lau in a tie with Tahiti’s Michel Bourez in the race for the Triple Crown. The final day saw a some of surfing’s biggest names fall: Kelly Slater and Dane Reynolds, to name a few. Lau was awarded a wildcard spot in the Billabong Pipe Masters, which starts its holding period on December 8th.
The final heat was held in rapidly dying surf. Brazil’s Raoni Monteiro struck first, posting two decent scores, then fading throughout the heat. Damien Hobgood went left on a drainer, looking for a score that would take him to the podium. Lau, though, showed his experience at Sunset. Sitting at the West Bowl for most of the last heat, he scored and 8.67 and a solid 6 – enough to see him chaired up the beach and into the winner’s circle.
The Vans World Cup is officially the end of the ‘QS season. Stayed tuned for next year’s roster.