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The Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach is fast approaching with an event window of Nov 25 - Dec 6. Santa Barbara native Conner Coffin will be looking to reclaim his victory from last year, possibly becoming the only mainland American to win the event twice. Also listed in the heat draw for this year are former event champs Jordy Smith and Michel Bourez.
Retiring Tour veteran Joel Parkinson however is currently ahead in the VTCS Rankings. Being only one of five surfers to have previously won all three jewels and coming off a win at the Hawaiian Pro where he went head-to-head in the final with 17 year old Mateus Herdy (BRA), he has momentum behind him.
Reflecting on his recent win, Parkinson remarked, "Actually I really enjoyed the event. That's the key for me at this stage in my career ... to enjoy it." With this level of experience, talent and comfort, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Australia (18 wins) and Hawaii (17 wins) have historically dominated the World Cup followed by America (2 wins), South Africa (2 wins), Brazil (2 wins), Tahiti (1 win) and the UK (1 win). Parkinson and the surfer from Hawaii Michael Ho are tied for the championship record (3 wins each).
Sunset beach is located on the North Shore of Oahu. Sunset's enormous rock reef faces to the northwest and contains at least six distinct wave sections. With a vast wave field and shifting peaks, surfers have to constantly paddle in order to get into a take-off position. A classic ride at Sunset can carry a surfer through four or five distinct stages as they move across the reef.
Hazards abound at Sunset. The Kammieland Rip can pull surfers into the impact zone during big swells. Strong trade winds blow northeasterly creating side-shore flow conditions. The waves themselves can change drastically depending on the combination of swell direction, size and period.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surf is the longest running contest series in surfing's history. First organized in 1983 by former surf champion Fred Hemmings, the VTCS will be entering it's 35th year.
Vans World Cup Champions
2017 Conner Coffin | USA
2016 Jordy Smith | ZAF
2015 Mick Fanning | AUS
2014 Michel Bourez | PYF
2013 Ezekiel Lau | HAW
2012 Adam Melling | AUS
2011 John John Florence | HAW
2010 Raoni Monteiro | BRA
2009 Joel Parkinson | AUS
2008 C.J. Hobgood | USA
2007 Makuakai Rothman | HAW
2006 Joel Parkinson | AUS
2005 Jake Paterson | AUS
2004 Andy Irons | HAW
2003 Jake Paterson | AUS
2002 Joel Parkinson | AUS
2001 Myles Padaca | HAW
2000 Sunny Garcia | HAW
1999 Zane Harrison | AUS
1998 Shane Dorian | HAW
1997 Michael Rommelse | AUS
1996 Paul Paterson | AUS
1995 Shane Powell | AUS
1994 Sunny Garcia | HAW
1993 John Gomes | HAW
1992 Martin Potter | UK
1991 Fabio Gouveia | BRA
1990 Derek Ho | HAW
1989 Hans Hedemann | HAW
1988 Tom Carroll | AUS
1987 Gary Elkerton | AUS
1986 Hans Hedemann | HAW
1985 Michael Ho | HAW
1984 Michael Ho | HAW
1983 Michael Ho | HAW
1982 Tom Carroll | AUS
1981 Dane Kealoha | HAW
1980 Ian Cairns | AUS
1979 Mark Richards | AUS
1978 Buzzy Kerbox | HAW
1977 Shaun Tomson | ZAF
1976 Ian Cairns | AUS
1975 Mark Richards | AUS
Watch the Vans World Cup live Nov 25 - Dec 06 on Worldsurfleague.com, App and Facebook.
