Frenchwoman Tya Zebrowski, 14, on her way to the elite after her 2nd place at the US Open

This 2nd place, this Sunday in Huntington Beach (California), propels the Frenchwoman to the top of the Challenger Series circuit standings (2nd division), after three events out of seven. In orbit, she is therefore on the way to qualifying for the elite next year.

“ It feels so good,” said Tya Zebrowski. “I’m really happy to be No. 1 in the Challenger rankings and to have reached the final. I really wanted to do better after finishing 2nd in Ericeira last year, but I’m so happy to start this season well, I hope to continue like this. My goal this year is to qualify (for the pro circuit), and now I just want to stay in the Top 5 and achieve my dream. ”

So far, her season has been a dream, with a 3rd place finish in the opening round in Newcastle (Australia) , a 5th place finish in Ballito (South Africa) before the final at the US Open. In this final round, Zebrowski narrowly missed out on the 19-year-old American Sawyer Lindblad (12.57 - 13.17).

A huge talent for years and now coached by Joan Duru, Tya Zebrowski is looked after by her Polynesian father Gary, a former snowboard pro - he finished 6th at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin - and her mother Caroline, from mainland France and also a former snowboard champion.

It's worth noting that Polynesian Vahine Fierro reached the quarterfinals before heading to Teahupoo. She will be a wildcard entry in the Tahiti Pro, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday.

In the men's draw, another Californian won: Levi Slawson narrowly edged out the Brazilian prodigy - and very active - Mateus Herdy (13.50 - 13.27). No Frenchman shone: Kauli Vaast, Maxime Huscenot, Justin Becret, Charly Quivront and Jorgann Couzinet all disappeared in the round of 32.

Olympic champion Kauli Vaast, who started the Challenger Series season well with a final in Newcastle , has just had two poor results. He has dropped to 12th place in the rankings. The little prince of Vairao is also expected to return to the Teahupoo spot from Thursday, to try to do as well as he did a year ago. A real challenge on this wave that smashes offshore, at the end of the road to the end of the world.