Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri Adds Name To Winners Circle at Boardmasters
Coming into the event as one of the favourites after her runner-up finis h here in 2025, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) finally added her name to the esteemed list of winners at Boardmasters. Last year Etxabarri was defeated by her sister, Annette, and now she can add another Boardmasters trophy to their cabinet. The 21-year-old jumped to the top of the QS rankings with this win, strengthening her chances to keep fighting on the Challenger Series for another season.
Photos: WSL/Masurel
“I’m really happy with this win, because I just came from the US Open of Surfing with a first round loss, so I’m super happy to start the QS season like this,” said Etxabarri. “I’m happy to be back in Newquay. I just try to live day by day and remind myself a loss means nothing, there are other things to focus on like trying to have fun, enjoy the process, enjoing working with a team, enjoy the moment. I’m really grateful to take the win this year.”
Etxabarri had a good battle with Clemence Schorsch (FRA, above) in the Final, and it became a game of strategy and priority to be on the right waves. Schorsch hammered an oncoming section with power and letting her fins go free, she scored the best wave of the heat. Etxabarri fought back with a combination of snappy turns and power carves in the small conditions, taking the win in the end with a total of 12.10 (out of a possible 20). An unfortunate priority interference in the final seconds saw Schorsch demoted to fourth place, with Nahia Milhau (FRA) finishing runner-up and Sol Borelli (ESP) in third.
The season is heating up with two International QS 6,000 competitions coming up at the end of the month. The ABANCA Pantin Classic Galicia Pro and the Norte Surf Fest will run back-to-back from August 25-30, and September 1-6, while the Pro Razo QS 2,000 in October 15-18 will be the last event for this year.
The YETI Pro QS 4,000 and Boardmasters Longboard Pro 1,000 presented by YETI will take place from August 5-9, 2026 at Fistral Beach, Newquay.
Boardmasters Open 2026 is proudly supported by YETI, with media partners Carve and SurfGirl.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
