Leo Paul Etienne and Stanley Norman lead the charge with excellent scores in pumping six-to-eight-foot surf
Playa de Pantin, Galicia, Spain — After a chaotic opening day, the ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro found its rhythm on Wednesday as improved conditions delivered the kind of surfing spectacle this QS 4,000 event is renowned for. Six-to-eight-foot surf provided the perfect canvas for competitors to showcase their skills, with several surfers posting excellent scores as the men’s Round of 112 and Round of 96 reached completion.
The Atlantic’s power remained formidable, demanding every ounce of skill and determination from competitors, but cleaner conditions allowed the world’s best QS surfers to demonstrate why they’ve traveled to Spain’s rugged coastline.
French Flair Meets Galician Power
Leading the charge was France’s Leo Paul Etienne, who delivered the day’s most impressive performance with an excellent 8.00 out of 10. His frontside attack featured a massive, drawn-out carve followed by two critical turns on a foamy face, showcasing the kind of progressive surfing that separates elite competitors from the pack.
Etienne backed up his standout wave with a solid 6.83, securing victory over fellow Frenchman Julien Fontvielle and advancement to the Round of 64. His enthusiasm for the conditions was infectious.
“It was pretty fun,” Etienne said with a smile. “It was the best heat I’ve had in a long time. We always complain that we don’t get waves in Europe, but the waves are super fun!”
British Brilliance in Challenging Conditions
Stanley Norman (GBR) emerged as another standout performer, posting the day’s highest heat total of 15.34 out of 20. His excellent 8.17 came courtesy of a powerful wraparound carve followed by a critical hit under the lip, perfectly matching the wave’s intensity with his own aggressive approach.
While his competitors struggled to find rhythm in the demanding conditions, Norman put on a clinic, demonstrating the patience and positioning required to excel at Pantin.
“It’s tricky out there,” Norman admitted. “We got washed up on the shore a few times, but I managed to get back out and get some good scores on the board.”
Early Excellence Sets the Tone
Germany’s Tim Elter kicked off the day’s action with authority, posting the first excellent score of 8.10 in his Round of 112 heat. His performance featured two massive frontside carves under the lip, capitalizing on the wave’s substantial wall to maximum effect.
The physical demands of Pantin were evident in Elter’s post-heat comments: “It was really hard. It took us like 15 minutes just to get out, but that 8-point ride was a bomb, I really liked it.”
Elter’s momentum carried into the Round of 96, where he advanced in second place behind France’s Tristan Guilbaud, who built an impressive 13.84 total to claim the heat victory.
International Talent Shines
The day showcased the global appeal of European QS events, with standout performances from Uri Uziel (ARG), Michele Scoppa (ITA), and Paul Cesar Distinguin (FRA). Each surfer demonstrated the adaptability and skill required to handle Pantin’s unique challenges while advancing their QS campaigns.
Looking Ahead
With conditions showing promise for continued quality surf, organizers have scheduled the next call for Thursday, August 28, at 8:00 AM GMT+2, with a possible 8:30 AM start. The event window runs through August 31, with live streaming beginning Friday, August 29, on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL YouTube channel, and the free WSL app.
European QS Excellence
The ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro continues to cement its reputation as one of Europe’s premier QS events, combining world-class waves with the kind of challenging conditions that separate contenders from pretenders. With the Round of 64 on the horizon and conditions forecast to remain solid, the stage is set for more memorable moments at this iconic Spanish venue.
As competitors prepare for the next phase of competition, Wednesday’s action served as a reminder of why Pantin holds such a special place in the hearts of European surfers and QS competitors worldwide.
World Surf League (WSL) News:
- WSL Finals Fiji on Hold as World’s Best Surfers Await Perfect Swell at Legendary Restaurants
- North America’s Elite Surfers Converge on Outer Banks for Season-Defining QS 2,000
- Massive Surf and Weather Chaos Mark Opening Day of ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro
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“This exclusive ABANCA Pantin Classic coverage is brought to you by Bad Dawg Sports — your insider source for professional surfing’s most compelling competitions. From QS battles to championship tours, we deliver the stories that define competitive surfing.
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