
#EuroSIMA Family: JOAN DURU & SIC MAUI
BACK TO JOAN DURU'S LAST MONTHS!
At a time when the duty of reserve imposed on athletes' partners during the Olympic Games has just been lifted, Joan Duru, emblematic captain of the French team, looks back on his remarkable career and his fifth place on the mythical Teahupo'o wave at the Paris Olympic Games.
His generosity and powerful surfing will remain etched in the memories of French fans. The native of Ondres in the Landes region achieved one of the highest scores of the competition, falling in the quarter-finals to future Olympic champion and French Team partner Kauli Vaast.
Joan proved to be the outsider of his Olympic Games, with the best overall score, and once again proved that he's a man for the big occasions. A look back at the surfer and SIC Maui ambassador on this crazy Olympic adventure. The SIC Maui surfer has no intention of hanging up his daggerboards just yet...
FIFTH PLACE - NO REGRETS
"If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that I'd finish fifth at the Olympics, I'd have been delighted. Of course, I would have liked to win a medal for myself and for France. It was a big goal, so I'm a little disappointed to come so close."
Joan has no regrets, and the memories will stay with her forever: "I surfed well, and I have no regrets, because I gave it my best shot. Kauli (Vaast) was simply stronger. We had to find tubes. Kauli excels at that on this spot. I know how to find them too, but the right wave didn't come at the end for me."
Joan had been there twice before the event to train and surf the wave in all conditions, but also to get a feel for the place and do some foiling. He adds: "During the competition, I wasn't surprised because I knew the wave by heart. I really trained hard. It was a great experience and I'm really happy. From the start of training, through my qualifier, right up to my last heat, I had an incredible time."
A GOLDEN TEAM
"What Kauli and Joanne have done is too good to be true. Kauli and I used to train with Jérémy (Flores). We all became super close. But in the quarter-finals, we didn't do each other any favors, we fought from start to finish! He felt sorry for me, and I was happy for him. It's great that he won the final, it couldn't have ended any better. France was well represented.
There is no official country ranking, but France is the top-ranked country.
"It's France's first Olympic medal. No French surfer has ever won a WCT World Championship. The Olympic Games are surely the equivalent every 4 years. I hope this will help surfing grow in France. It really is the most beautiful wave in the world, and it was great to have the Olympics there."
SO FAR BUT SO NEAR
Although the competition took place thousands of kilometers away from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, there was no shortage of enthusiasm and support. Friends, family and Tahe Outdoors Franceemployees, and customers all followed the heats with passion, despite the time difference. In Vannes, at the Tahe Outdoors France headquarters, SIC Maui employees organized screenings and daily get-togethers to follow Joan's Olympic adventure.
"When I got the series with Kauli, there was a great atmosphere. There was a fan zone in front of the beach. My family was there too. It was nice to have some encouragement before going in the water. Whether you're happy or disappointed, it's always good to have support. I'd like to thank everyone for their support. A lot of people rallied round and supported me: in Hossegor, in Seignosse and in Vannes. That's why it was so hard to lose so close to the medal. I would have loved to have brought home a medal to thank them all.
WHAT'S NEXT? STILL AT THE HEART OF THE BARREL
Back in Seignosse for a few days now, he's taking the time to settle down and breathe after these strong emotions. "Honestly, I didn't do much! I needed a bit of rest, to spend time with my loved ones. It's true that I'm a bit tired. For the moment, I don't have a schedule, I'm taking the time to enjoy and recover from this adventure. I love surfing and competitions. Whatever happens, I'll keep surfing, and hopefully for a long time."
THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN FIGURES :
- Final ranking: 5th
- Number of heats: 3
- Best wave: 9.10 Best total points: 18.13
A LOOK BACK AT HIS CAREER:
-
Tour 1 - July 27 - A Duru-style start!
In waves ranging from 1m50 to 2m, Joan Duru made a remarkable entrance on Saturday July 27 at Teahupo'o. In the first heat, Australian Jack Robinson, world n°3 and winner of the Tahiti Pro 2022, seemed to dominate the series with two excellent waves at the start of Heat. But Joan Duru, with his trademark composure, turned the tables in the final minute. The Frenchman came up with a near-perfect wave that earned him a score of 7.67 points, surpassing the 7.21 points required to move into 1st place and avoid the repechage.
With a total of 13.84 points, Duru is ahead of Robinson (13.36 points) and South Africa's Mat McGillivray (5.26 points).
Results :
- J. Duru (France): 13.84
- J. Robinson (Australia): 13.36
- Mr McGillivray (South Africa): 5.26
-
8ᵉ final - July 29 - Highest score of the competition
In magnificent 3-meter waves, Joan Duru put in an exceptional performance against Mexico's Alan Cleland, recording the best score of the day with a total of 18.13 against 15.17. The ever-increasing swell on the reef allowed Joan to show off all his tube skills. A very long first tube, balanced on the foam ball on his second wave (9.10 points) and another deep tube on his fifth and last wave (9.03 points) sealed his victory. Despite Alan Cleland's great commitment (7 and 8.17 points), Joan was able to take the upper hand and qualify brilliantly for the quarter-finals.
Results :
- J. Duru: 18.13
- A. Cleland Quinonez: 15.17
-
Quarter-final - High-flying duel with Kauli Vaast, future Olympic champion
In difficult conditions, with 2-meter waves and cross-shore winds, Joan Duru engaged in an intense fratricidal duel against Kauli Vaast, the 22-year-old prodigy backed by the entire Tahitian population. This mano a mano was one of the toughest in the competition, with Joan and Kauli going head-to-head in a heat of rare intensity. After a few waves with maneuvers, the Tahitian found a superb tube followed by a big reentry (7.33 points).
He then followed up with a very clean long tube, rated at 8 points. After several waves with maneuvers, Joan Duru concentrated on the best waves. He found a tube followed by some big maneuvers that earned him 7.50 points. Looking for a second score of 7.84 to qualify, the Landais waited patiently, in vain. In the end,
the two French riders hugged warmly. A great fight. Gentlemen. Respect!
Results :
- K. Vaast: 15.33
- J. Duru : 12.33
THEY SAID
Renaud Lacoste - President, Tahe Outdoors France
"I can still see us discussing this partnership with Joan at the beginning of this year, and he salutes our commitment to a talented, passionate athlete who never gives up, sometimes right up to the last minute of his heats. This Olympiad in Tahiti was an illustration of this, where Joan shone with all his greatness in a wave that he knew how to make his own, like those of his native Landes. I'm delighted to have SIC Maui as a partner throughout this period of preparation and fierce competition, culminating in a well-deserved fifth place. We're ready for new adventures alongside him now! #FurtherTogether!"
Casi Rynkowski - Brand Manager SIC Maui
"Joan Duru's performance at the 2024 Olympic Games is a true testament to her commitment, talent and passion for surfing. Reaching the quarter-finals and securing a 5th place among the world's best is an outstanding achievement. SIC Maui is extremely proud of Joan, and her success at these Games will certainly inspire the next generation of surfers."
ABOUT SIC MAUI
SIC was founded on the island of Maui/Hawaii by shaper and waterman Mark Raaphorst. Quality craftsmanship and attention to detail have earned SIC Maui recognition as one of the best brands on the market. SIC Maui is committed to providing a "five-star" level of performance on and off the water. Whether it's the quest for podiums, the search for the best performing board or the desire to spend a great day on the water, SIC Maui offers the best in surf, Stand Up Paddle and wing foil for all conditions and for waterwomen and watermen of all levels. The most Hawaiian of brands belongs to the Tahe Outdoors France group, headquartered in Vannes, Brittany (France). To find out more about the history of SIC Maui and its products, visit: https: //sicmaui.com