| Finn McGill (HAW), 24, entered the event needing a big result and pushed his performance in what Rangiroa had to offer. McGill’s last WSL win occurred at the 2018 Sunset Pro Junior and this Final at the Air Tahiti Rangiroa Pro marked his fourth QS Final appearance, and second in Rangiroa. Now, McGill jumps to No. 2 on the 2024/2025 rankings and prepares for the 2025 Challenger Series for a chance to compete with the world’s elite toward Championship Tour (CT) qualification.
“It’s so special. I’ve gotten second out here and second at Sunset a few times and just have never been able to do it,” McGill said. “It was against one of my good friends, Shion Crawford, and it’s always hard because he’s gotten second so much this year. So many emotions. The last four years, I’ve been trying, and now I’ve qualified for the Challengers, I’m stoked.”
“At the beginning of the year, I had a pretty bad hip injury, and I didn’t think I was going to compete and maybe quit surfing. I had a breakthrough the week before Haleiwa, and I had to Final both of them to qualify for the Challenger Series—and I did, so I’m stoked.”
A slow start to the Final between McGill and reigning Hawaii/Tahiti QS Regional victor Shion Crawford (HAW) gave way to a battle of finding a rhythm and utilizing key opportunities. Crawford struck with the heat’s first score of consequence, posting a 6.25 (out of a possible 20), on his formidable forehand attack. Haliewa’s Crawford stayed busy, finding his backup to put McGill into needing a 9.00. But, after playing the patient game McGill found his way back into the heat with a 5.50.
With time dwindling, McGill utilized a gem of an opportunity and answered with the heat’s highest single-wave score of a 7.50 to take the lead. With Crawford unable to respond, McGill emerged victorious after also posting Finals Day’s highest heat total in the Quarterfinals over Tahiti’s own Mihimana Braye (PYF) – a 15.45 (out of a possible 20). |
