A giant whale jumps out of the water at a surfing finals
Kauli Vaast has known the legendary wave Teahupo'o since he was a little child. In the final of the Olympic Games, the surfer fulfills a dream. Meanwhile, the stars experience a special moment in the semi-finals as a whale appears in the distance.
Another epic moment in Olympic surfing. A few days after the iconic photo of Brazilian Gabriel Medina, standing in the air with a triumphant gesture and his board flying beside him, the Olympic world celebrates the next spectacular snapshot. And once again, it was captured by photographer Jerome Brouillet, the man who launched Medina to global fame.
During the final competitions on the legendary wave of Teahupo'o in Tahiti, a whale suddenly leaped out of the waves. At a safe distance from the athletes, Tatiana Weston-Webb from Brazil and Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy. It leaps multiple times and sprays water into the air. What an emotional moment.
It's not uncommon for wild animals to appear while surfing. There are often encounters with seals, birds, and sometimes sharks. But a giant whale and then at the Olympic Games, that's something special. The competitions are held this year on the Pacific island of French Polynesia. During the mating and birthing season, the whales gather around the islands. The area is also a protected zone for the giant marine mammals.
After his first iconic image, photographer Brouillet said, "It's cool. I've made the photo of the day, but I was with six talented photographers on the boat and next week everyone will forget. Tomorrow will be the same." Now he has delivered again.
Gold in men's went to Kauli Vaast. The Frenchman from Tahiti triumphed on his home wave (17.67 points). Silver went to Australian Jack Robinson (7.83). In women's, American Caroline Marks (10.50) won her final duel with Brazilian Tatiana Weston-Webb (10.33) by a narrow margin. Before that, there was bronze for Frenchwoman Johanne Defay and Brazilian Gabriel Medina.
The Olympic Games 2024 in Paris is eagerly anticipated by athletes worldwide, following the incredible moments at the recent surfing competitions. Witnessing a whale leap out of the waves during the final competitions at Teahupo'o was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the surfers, adding another layer of excitement to Olympic surfing.
