GRANDE PLAGE, Lacanau - Nouvelle-Aquitaine / France (Sunday, July 13, 2025) - Anat Lelior and Sam Piter won the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) Caraibos Lacanau Pro today in small, but fun one-to-foot waves. The pair triumphed after a long week with challenging conditions, overcoming two of the event's standout performers, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri and Tiago Carrique in the Final. As the first stop of the 2025/2026 season, Lelior and Piter take the No.1 spot on the regional QS rankings.
Anat Lelior - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Anat Lelior Back On Top, Wins First QS In Six Years
As one of the top contenders at any QS, it's been six years since Anat Lelior (WRL) stood on the top step of the podium. Despite her string of commendable third-place finishes and Finals Day appearances over the years, Lelior's last win was in Anglet in 2019. It seemed fitting that she ended the drought in France, finally earning a well-deserved win in Lacanau and adding her name in history.
"I feel great, it's definitely a boost of confidence to take out the first event," said Lelior. "Unfortunately we didn't have the best conditions, but everyone made it work. I'm really happy to win. Competing on the Challenger Series has definitely given me more confidence, competing against the best in the world. I feel like I've got a bigger hunger in me, so winning this means a lot."
Lelior defeated France's Sarah Leiceaga in the Semifinal to book her spot in the Final. Coming up against an in-form Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) in the tricky conditions, it was always going to be a challenge. Lelior opened with a small score of 3.50 (out of a possible 10), but Gonzalez Etxabarri stayed busy and quickly took the lead with her best score of 4.87. Time was running out, but Lelior found a great wave on her backhand that gave her a few sections for four strong turns, getting the best score of the heat for 6.00 and taking out the win.
"Even though I was not the best physically, being a bit sick, it's a good pat on the back," said Lelior. "The people of Lacanau are always very nice, the vibe in the town and on the beach is always warm, like the sun. I'm honoured to join the incredible list of winners in the 44-year history of the Lacanau Pro."
Sam Piter - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Sam Piter Triumphs For First-Ever QS Title
In an all-French affair in the beautiful town of Lacanau, Sam Piter (FRA) and Tiago Carrique (FRA) came up against each other in the men's Final. It was Piter's first Finals appearance and the goofy-foot delivered a show in front of family and friends to take out his first-ever QS win.
"It feels amazing," said Piter. "It's really special to win here in Lacanau, with my dad on the beach, some friends and the French crowd. It's a good start to the season and I'm excited to keep going. I've been competing here since I was 10-years-old, and I've been doing the QS for a few years now, so it's really special to win here."
The 21-year-old from Seignosse has been impressive in the small conditions, and went into the excellent range with an 8.00 in his Semifinal heat to defeat Nicolas Paulet (FRA). Piter and Carrique have both delivered standout performances throughout the event and it was going to be an exciting matchup. In the Final, Carrique quickly got to work, putting pressure on Piter to get a decent score. His workrate was something to behold, with Piter riding 14 waves in the 30-minute duration. His strategy to build house worked in his favour when he locked in a 7.33 and 5.80 back-to-back to take the win, while Carrique settled for another runner-up finish in Lacanau.
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro QS 2,000 ran from July 8-13, 2025. The next stop on the WSL European QS is the Boardmasters Open QS 2,000 in Cornwall, England from August 6 - 10, 2025.
The Caraïbos Lacanau Pro is organized by the city council of Lacanau with the support of the event production agency Côte Ouest and supported by all the partners: Caraïbos, Café Maritime, Beach House, Banque Populaire, On Air, Soda Stream, BYD Sipa Automobiles, Suez, Vins IGP Atlantique, Adopt, Airotel Océan, Kayak, Youbee for Kids, Lacanau Surf Club, Médoc Atlantique, Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Sud Ouest, France 3 NOA, FranceTV and Europe 2.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com