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Argentine Leandro Usuna just placed fifth in the 2020 edition of the Volcom Pipe Pro that culminated in mediocre waves at the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Usuna repeated the result he obtained in 2017, when he left none other than John John Florence in fourth in his heat. This time he placed ahead of South African Matthew McGillvray but behind Brazilians Yago Dora and Wiggolly Dantas (who ended up winning the event, becoming the first Brazilian in history to do so).

Unlike 2017, this time he was closer to achieving a place on the podium, needing a wave of just over two points until the end to get on the podium. On the way to the semis, the Argentine beat Finn McGill, Jeronimo Vargas, Noa Deane, Cristobal de Col, Mitch Parkinson, Jordan Lawler, Phillipe Chagas and Michael O'Shaughnessy in conditions that varied from a big and perfect Pipe to blown waves like those on the final day.

“Compared to any tournament, this one is epic. I feel like I've been here for a long time, with respect. I love being here surfing with friends,” Usuna said earlier today while speaking to a DUKE representative.

 

Another Spaniard who shone again was Aritz Aranburu, who placed ninth in the championship for the third consecutive year and in the top 10 for the fourth consecutive year (after finishing seventh in 2017).

Cristobal de Col, who started the event from round 2, also showed class, reaching the quarterfinals and finishing 13th in the event.

As for the grand final, the Brazilian storm, which had never won the event, rallied with enthusiasm this time on the queen of waves: Three of the four finalists were from Brazil and they were precisely the three who finished first.

Local Seth Moniz had a chance that will be talked about forever, because he came out of a barrel roll, raised his arms, but a deformed section knocked him down; the judges decided not to give him a score.

In any case, Dantas surfed with power on the final day, a three-maneuver right gave him eight points and ultimately the victory (with a total of 10,03), Joao Chianca placed second with 7,83, Yago Dora third with 6,3 and Moniz fourth with 5,17.

Dantas was very emotional after the victory and with tears in his eyes he thanked and said: “I feel great.” The Brazilian is now second in the QS rankings, tied with Nat Young who was the winner in Morocco.