Friday was a big day for the Vaasts at Punta Rocas, Peru, where the 2026 Surf World Championships are taking place. The goal: secure additional quotas for the French surfing team ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Aelan, first up, finished third in her fourth-round heat, behind the unstoppable American Gabriela Bryan and the Portuguese Yolanda Hopkins. That third place sent her to the repêchages, where she responded by grabbing second place in her heat, behind another Frenchwoman: Naia Monte. At just 15 years old, the young surfer continues to confirm her status as a breakout talent at these Worlds.
The road ahead looks tougher for Aelan. In the next round of repêchages, she will face the American legend Carissa Moore, as well as the Australian Leihani Zoric and the Chilean Estela Lopez.
Kauli faces two big CT rivals
Her brother Kauli experienced a similar scenario. The Olympic champion finished third in his fourth-round heat, behind the Australian Liam O’Brien, a member of the Championship Tour (CT), and Hans Odriozola. Crowned ISA junior world champion in 2023 with Spain, the latter now represents Germany.
Relegated to the repêchages, Kauli also rebounded beautifully and won his heat, which also included the Frenchman Jorgann Couzinet.
He will have to bring out his best in the next round, particularly against Australian–Japanese Connor O’Leary and American Griffin Colapinto, two surfers who have already won stops on the Championship Tour. Tim Elter, who had become known for losing his jersey on the Teahupo’o reef during the first day of Paris 2024 Olympic competition, completes the lineup.
“It’s a good wave, but you have to be super good at reading the spot. There aren’t that many excellent waves, and the 20-minute heats go by really fast (…). You have to be ready to seize opportunities,” Vaast explained in the mixed zone after his heat.
The world championship finals are scheduled for this Sunday.
