Tatiana Weston-Webb lets out a few shrieks of joy after winning the 2016 US Open of Surfing. Image: WSL
Tatiana Weston-Webb has arrived. Just a few minutes ago, Weston-Webb shrieked a few shrill hoots of joy as she was chaired up the sand by her boyfriend Jesse Mendes at a packed Huntington Beach for the 2016 Vans U.S. Open of Surfing.
In her first victory on the Women’s World Tour, Weston-Webb defeated fellow Kaui native Malia Manuel 12.96 to 11.34. The waves weren’t so hot – mushy, waist-high, and onshore – but the pressure of competing in front of an estimated 100,000+ fans on the beach is nothing to sneeze at.
“No words,” said an exhilarated Tatiana Weston-Webb immediately after the win. “I cried a bunch. Sorry, I’m super emotional, but I’m so happy.”
Weston-Webb defeated an all-star cast en route to her US Open victory, dispatching Lakey Peterson, Huntington native and former US Open Champ Courtney Conlogue, Laura Enever, and Stephanie Gilmore.
The victory boost Tatiana Weston-Webb to #4 in the World Rankings.
