Chianca and Scooby Dominate 2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

The 2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge was given the go-ahead on Monday, January 22, as Portugal was hit by exceptionally large waves hitting various locations in Nazaré, on the world-famous Praia do Norte coast.

Although the race was moved to the afternoon to allow the tide to fill in, it also gave more time for supporters to arrive. When the race finally got underway, it took place on the cliffs and coastline, with thousands of spectators watching the action, along with a huge audience from around the world watching live on Red Bull TV – click here to re-enjoy the full broadcast.

Nazaré is surfing’s big wave theatre of dreams

© Laurent Masurel/WSL

The one-day TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge featured nine two-person teams competing in six 40-minute races. Each team surfed two heats during the competition, with pairs taking turns surfing or pulling for both individual and team success.

A surfer’s two best waves after both heats were counted toward his individual total and were scored on a 10-point scale. The surfer’s best score was then doubled to a maximum total of 30 points. The team competition score was determined by adding up the two best scores of each surfer on the team for a maximum total of 60 points.

Lucas Chianca wins Best Male Performance at TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

Brazilian surfer Lucas “Chumbo” Cianca was once again the main star in Portugal as the conditions allowed him to showcase his incredible skills this year. Although he lacked his usual towing partner, Cianca’s skills in Nazare are unrelenting, and he not only looked the best surfer in the water, but also felt the best around the huge waves.

It was a dream for me, I never expected to win so many times here!

For the second year in a row, Cianka won two trophies, this time together with compatriot Pedro ‘Scooby’ Vian winning the awards for the best performance in the men’s competition and the best performance in the team. Brazilian Maia Gabeira won the award for the best performance in the women’s competition for the second year in a row, ahead of French-born, but Brazilian-raised Michelle des Bouillon.

Lucas Chianca and Pedro Scooby setting sail for success

© Hugo Silva / Red Bull Content Pool

Cyanka put on an incredible show to claim the men’s best performance award for the second time in a row. With regular partner Kai Lenny forced out of the race last week with a serious injury in Hawaii, Cianca’s teammate was replaced by Brazilian and long-time Nazare luminary Scooby, both quickly finding their rhythm in the open ocean waves.

Lucas Chianca committed and comfortable as ever at Nazaré

© Laurent Masurel/WSL

The two friends picked the best waves in the rotating lineup, with Chiang setting the two best results in the competition with his progressive approach to surfing the massive waves.

“It was a dream for me, I never expected to win here so many times,” Cianka said after the win. “This place is magical, Nazare has given me everything in my life. This win is probably the most special for me because we were a 100% Brazilian team.

“It was such a pleasure to work with Scooby, one of the guys who pushed me, helped me and inspired me when I started surfing big waves. I’m really glad I was able to pay him back a little bit with my performance today.”

Cianka is now a five-time Nazare winner, winning four of the trophies since the event switched to a tow format and one when it was a rowing event. The audience was thrilled every time the Brazilian stepped on the podium, with thousands of fans chanting his name from the top of the most famous surfing fort.

Scooby and Cianca won the team competition ahead of France’s Clement Roseiro and Portugal’s Nick Von Rupp in the penultimate race when Cianca put Scooby on a huge wave and turned things around. The Brazilian pair took the lead and with just one run to go, none of the remaining teams could beat their score.

Pedro Scooby on route to the Nazaré podium

© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool

“I can’t believe it, just two days ago I was super sick and lying on my couch in Rio de Janeiro,” said Scooby. “My mom took care of me and Lucas encouraged me and I decided to come. I put all my energy and our team worked really well to win. Lucas is so talented, we’ve been surfing together since his first big waves. We a lot we talked about everything and we have a great connection, so to win with him today is super special.”

Lucas Chianca, Pedro Scooby and Maya Gabeira sweep the field

© Hugo Silva/Red Bull Content Pool

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Results of the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

  • Lucas Chianca (Brazil) – 23.33/30

  • Clemáns Roseiro (France) – 21.51/30

  • Rodrigo Coxas (Portugal) – 18.66/30

  • Sebastian Steudtner (Germany) – 18.50/30

  • Maja Gabeira (Brazil) – 14.00/30

  • Michelle des Bouillon (Brazil) – 9.83/30

  • Pedro Scooby (Brazil), Lucas Cianca (Brazil) – 41.16/60

  • Nick Von Roop (Portugal), Clement Roseiro (France) – 37.18/60

  • Rodrigo Cox (Portugal), Vitor Faria (Brazil) – 35.79/60

  • Pierre Rollet (France), Rafael Tapia (Chile) – 34.63/60

  • Watch every second of the 2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge replay below:

    Main event

    Watch in awe as the world’s best big wave surfers tackle the biggest waves in the world in Nazaré, Portugal.

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