Cover photo: Chumbo Chianca tubing in the Galea today. All photos: Punta Galea Challenge Promotion 

Lucas Chumbo Chianca closed with a flourish a very intense week that took him to the final of the WSL Big Wave World Championship in Jaws, an epic session in Mavericks and a victory in the 14th edition of the Punta Galea Challenge.

The tournament press release states that it was the best setting in the last decade of the championship, “with waves six metres high and south-southeasterly winds as well as a spring-like atmosphere and temperatures around 18 degrees.”

The final also received praise from judges, organizers and the public, also according to the statement, who said it was “the best final in the history of the Punta Galea Challenge.”

Chianca had last year's champion, Pierre Rollet from France close behind, both of them scoring 10s on their best wave. Meanwhile, Alex Botelho from Portugal placed third competing with a broken nose. The underground charger from Zarautz, Indar Unanue placed third, another underground charger, Fabián Campagnolo placed fifth and another local, Iker Muñoz, placed fifth.

One of the big standouts of the first round was Aritz Aranburu, who was unable to continue his good run in the semis.

 

See this post on Instagram

 

This is how @lucaschumbo won the final. Go to DUKE to read the article. This wave was worth a perfect 10. The Brazilian always said that he wanted to surf the big waves and not survive them, in the video he makes it clear that he achieves his goals. By @puntagaleachallenge go to find out more.

A publication shared by DUKE (@duke_surf) the 16 Dic 2019 has 11: 52 PST