Basque surfer Andy Criere achieved a historic result in the return of WSL surfing competitions to Europe today in Anglet, France, where the French Rendez Vous of surfing took place.

In well-formed half- to one-metre waves, Criere began his campaign by placing second in a heat of two (behind Kanoa Igarashi) and followed it up by beating Ramzi Boukhiam, then taking revenge against the Japanese and then beating Tahitian Michel Bourez.

In the grand final he surfed well but Italo abused the best of his surfing in conditions that suited him: He did high and innovative aerials to score an 8,57 and a 7.

For his part, Criere was faithful to his game, attacking the waves with speed and radicality, but this was not enough: He added 5,57 and a 5,9.

The final score was 15,57 to 11,47.

At the women's level, the top French CT athlete, Johanne Defay, won by a narrower margin than the Tahitian Vahine Fierro 11,34 to 10,74.

The Basque Nadia Erostarbe competed and came second in round 1, but in the elimination round she was unable to beat the German-Costa Rican Rachel Presti.