Days one and two of Olympic competition saw “good” conditions (relatively speaking) but you wouldn’t call them great if you’ve seen what the wave is capable of. Day three was mental. Day four still had size but was far less organized.
It’s fair to say now these gold medals will be won by progressing through a variety of conditions — anything and everything Teahupo’o might throw at the athletes still left standing. Thursday’s heats served up high-line barrel exits and surfers throwing down some big turns. A particular Gabe Medina hack in his quarterfinal heat against fellow countryman João Chianca featured that same blueprint. It was all critical enough that the former world champ was awarded an excellent score even though he fell coming out of the turn.
Thursday won’t go down in surfing’s history books like Monday’s action did. Personally, I got a little bored trying to keep up with the day-four heats. In all likelihood, it’s probably because Monday’s waves and matchups felt so dramatic that the high hasn’t fully worn off. And that all sets us up for one last day before the next Olympic surfing champion is determined. When that moment comes both the men’s and women’s podiums will be filled with new medalists. Thursday’s matchups saw Carissa Moore, the last 2020 medalist remaining, eliminated from the Paris 2024 tournament.
