Matahi fell short to Kauli Vaast in the Tahiti Pro trials final to qualify for the upcoming CT event. Kauli will represent Tahiti at the Outerknown Pro with Michel Bourez and Vahine Fierro. If a surfer withdraws, Matahi will be the most likely back-up.
The 24-year-old can’t be too disappointed, having just released a highlight reel such as the Fast Lane to flex on the internet. Matahi scored one of the biggest waves ever at his home-break in the legendary July 13th session. The 40-foot mutant waves ridden in the clip, such as the one at the 2:42 mark, are life-or-death situations. Mother nature in that force should not be messed with. But that’s why Matahi is a living legend and why Troy said, “no-one will remember your name, Tracks journalist.”
Even though Matahi probably should be in the comp after his standout performances over the years, he at least had an opportunity to make it in the trials. This was not the case for fellow Chope’s specialist Lorenzo Avvenenti who has accused the Tahitian Federation Of Surfing of blocking him from competing at the trials earlier this week. In a recent Instagram post, Lorenzo said he was not allowed to compete at the Teahupo’o trials because he surfed in a French Olympics team training area a couple months ago, which was apparently a miscommunication. Lorenzo claimed that “Tahitian surfing is in bad hands” and that it was a political move by the Tahitian Federation of Surfing.
Anyway, watch this space and enjoy Matahi’s brilliance!
