Breaking: Jack Robinson Misses Gold In Olympic Surfing Final

France’s Kauli Vaast captured the gold medal in men’s surfing on Monday, beating Australia’s Jack Robinson, who settled for the silver medal.

Vaast’s win marks France’s first-ever Olympic surfing gold.

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Vaast, who grew up just a short distance from Teahupo’o, secured the gold medal with a score of 17.67, buoyed by two standout waves, including a remarkable 9.50 on his opening ride.

Robinson trailed with a total of 7.83 after struggling to find the same level of success in the closing moments.

The 26-year-old surfer told Nine that he was disappointed to be left waiting for a wave.

“It was so close. I just needed one shot. That’s all it takes for me. But you know, that’s the way it goes,” he said.

“I almost didn’t get to surf this event. Right before it, I almost cut my Achilles off, but I’m healthy, I’m good. I got to go out there and compete against so many amazing guys and have an amazing final against Kauli.”

The bronze medal was claimed by Brazil’s Gabriel Medina, a three-time world champion and a pre-Games favourite.

Medina, who had been defeated by Robinson in the semi-finals, rebounded strongly in the bronze match against Peru’s Alonso Correa.

Medina’s performance in the final was marked by creative wave selection, securing him the third spot with a score of 15.54 compared to Correa’s 12.43.

Despite modest surf conditions, Medina’s tactical prowess in the final 20 minutes of his match allowed him to edge out Correa.

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