Landes, France is the next event on the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour. The event kicks off at the end of this week on the 8th of October and ends on October 18th AEST. We are now at the bottom end of the 2017 season with only three events remaining for the year.
Landes is located in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine on the south-west side of France, and is home to the WSL event number nine.
Landes is known for the beaches that stretch over 100 km along the Atlantic Ocean. Within Landes we head south to the popular beach of Hossegor which is now home to the WSL Quiksilver Pro. Just like the rest of the coastline Hossegor is known for its beachbreaks. It's actually labeled one of the best beach breaks in the world, hence why it's on the Tour. When conditions are favourable, Hossegor produces hollow, powerful perfect peaks that often breaks close to the shore.
After a frustrating runners-up Jordy Smith has made it tough on the rest of the competition as he leads the standings and has no signs of slowing down. It only makes sense that he will go one better at France as he lost the semi final in Tahiti then lost in the final to Toledo in Trestles.
After winning two of the last three events Filipe Toledo is easily the hottest surfer on tour at this current time. After his victory in Trestles he has pushed north of the standings and is now seventh behind fellow countrymen Adriano de Sousa. With the confidence high and the next event a beach break, there is a possibility of him finishing in the top three by the end of the year.
Let's not take anything away from the the surfers who are in second and third positions in the standings. It hasn't been the same year for John John Florence when he easily won the 2016 title, but he is still in reach of winning this year as he is breathing down Jordy Smith neck. Florence has had a fairly consistent year but has struggled making it past the semi finals since his solo 2017 victory at Margaret River.
Julian Wilson finishes off the top three in the standings. He has been the quiet achiever and it feels like people are starting to recognise that he's in a great position to possibly take out the title. He is the best of the Aussies with Matt Wilko and Owen Wright both one position below Julian Wilson in third.
As we have seen throughout this year the rookies have been very competitive. Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau will head into Hossegor full of confidence, as he took out the Billabong Pro in Cascais. Lau hasn't been outstanding this year but has had a solid last month after making the third round at Trestles and winning the event in Cascais. With that win Lau moved 93 spots to now rank 12th in the Qualifying series.
Make sure you tune into all the action from Hossegor, France this Sunday as the World Surf League has only three contests left this year.
Tip: John John Florence to win - $6.00 at CrownBet
