Team Spain claimed the title at the first Rip Curl Nations Trophy wave pool contest, held at the O2 SURFTOWN MUC near Munich. The event, presented by California and supported by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, marked a new competitive format for European surfing.
Spain Defeats Italy in Final Heat
In the final round, Spain outscored Italy in front of approximately 3,000 spectators. Event organizers credited the team’s success to “team spirit” and “spectacular maneuvers” during the head-to-head format.
“It feels incredible to celebrate this historic moment with our team – we gave it our all, it was pure sportsmanship,” said Hugo Ortega, one of the four members of the Spanish team.
Team Spain included Ortega, Lucia Machado, Gony Zubizarreta, and Carla Morera de la Vall. Italy’s team featured Diana Giorgi, Chiara Cuppone, Matteo Calatri, and Leonardo Apreda.
New Competitive Surfing Format Debuts
The contest followed a direct knockout format with eight national teams, each composed of four surfers. According to SURFTOWN MUC, the structure combined “tactical lineups” and “changing wave modes” designed to enhance team performance dynamics and viewer engagement.
“We wanted a format that was athletically compelling, generated excitement, and allowed people to experience surf culture in a new way – today proved that it works,” said Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, CEO and founder of O2 SURFTOWN MUC
Event Atmosphere and Cultural Programming
Organizers described the day as a blend of “adrenaline on the waves” and “festival vibes on land,” with attendees participating in activities that included live DJ performances, street food, and the premiere screening of a new Rip Curl surf film. An afterparty followed the awards ceremony.
Event Overview and Rankings
Organizers said the Rip Curl Nations Trophy wave pool contest was created to spotlight Europe’s top surfers in a national team competition setting. The event featured athletes from eight European countries with two men and two women on each team. The format featured shoot-outs, direct match-ups, and changing wave settings. According to o2SURFTOWNMUC, this model aims to offer a new approach to high-performance surfing in Europe.
Final Rankings:
- Team Spain (Hugo Ortega, Lucia Machado, Gony Zubizarreta, Carla Morera de la Vall)
- Team Italy (Diana Giorgi, Chiara Cuppone, Matteo Calatri, Leonardo Apreda)
California and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sponsored the contest.
