Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira vie for glory at the WSL Finals in Fiji in pursuit of the 2025 world surfing title
Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira represent Brazil in the race for the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) title, held in Cloudbreak, Fiji, from August 27 to September 4. The event, determining the champion in a knockout format, marks the final year of the Finals model, in place since 2021. Yago, the ranking leader, needs just one win to claim his first title, while Italo, ranked fifth, faces a tougher path, starting against Australian Jack Robinson. The competition, set in high-performance left-hand waves, favors the Brazilian goofy-footers, reinforcing Brazil’s dominance, with seven titles since 2014. The event’s start was delayed three days due to sea conditions, with live coverage on sportv3 and real-time updates on ge.
Brazil arrives at the WSL Finals with strong favoritism, driven by Yago Dora’s consistency and Italo Ferreira’s experience. Yago secured the ranking lead after Jordy Smith’s early exit in Teahupoo, boasting wins in Portugal and the USA, plus a runner-up finish in J-Bay. Italo, a Finals veteran, reached the final in 2022 and 2024 but took second place both times. The shift to Cloudbreak, known for perfect tubes and long waves, marks the first time the Finals are held outside Trestles, posing a new challenge for competitors.
The Brazilians stand out as goofy-footers, surfing with their right foot forward, giving them a theoretical edge on Cloudbreak’s left-hand waves. This allows better control and peripheral vision, especially in tighter tubes. Experts note that in medium-sized waves, Yago and Italo can leverage aerials and carves, expanding their arsenal against rivals like Jordy Smith, Griffin Colapinto, and Jack Robinson.
- Brazilian advantages: Yago needs one win as ranking leader.
- Italo’s experience: Reached Finals in 2022 and 2024, thriving in knockouts.
- Cloudbreak waves: Favor goofy-footers in tubes and maneuvers.
- Brazilian legacy: Seven world titles since 2014 highlight dominance.
Yago Dora’s strategic edge
Yago Dora enters the WSL Finals as the ranking leader, benefiting from a unique 2025 rule: the top-ranked surfer can clinch the title with a single final-round win. This skips earlier knockout rounds, reducing pressure. Yago’s season shone with consistent results, including victories in Peniche, Portugal, and Trestles, USA.
The Paraná-born, Florianópolis-raised surfer showed versatility, excelling in small waves with aerials and in technical tubes in larger conditions. At Cloudbreak, Yago is favored for his ability to blend deep tubes with precise lip attacks. His preparation included intensive training in Fiji, adapting to the long, challenging waves. His ranking lead, secured after Jordy Smith’s Teahupoo exit, boosts his confidence.
O que nossos campeões estão prevendo pro #WSLFinalsFiji?
— WSL Brasil 🇧🇷 (@WSLBrasil) August 26, 2025
Para o Brasil, isso seria nos dias 01 e 02/09, às 16h30 💪🏆
🌊 Lexus WSL Finals Fiji
🗓️ 26 de agosto a 04 de setembro
📺 Assista ao vivo em nosso site e canal oficial do youtube#WSLBrasil #BrasilNoWSLFinals pic.twitter.com/0vQeviNiTN
Italo Ferreira’s tough road
Italo Ferreira, 2019 world champion and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, faces a steep climb. As the fifth seed, he starts against Jack Robinson, who eliminated him in Teahupoo’s quarterfinals amid a controversial interference call. Advancing would pit Italo against Griffin Colapinto, then potentially Jordy Smith, before facing Yago in the final. Italo’s physical and mental resilience, proven in 2022 and 2024 Finals runs, makes him a threat.
The Rio Grande do Norte native’s frenetic style mixes explosive maneuvers with high-speed tubes. In Cloudbreak, his skills in heavy waves will be tested, especially against Robinson, who excels in big surf. Italo holds a 4-3 edge in head-to-head matchups against Robinson, fueling optimism for the opening round.
- Italo’s challenges: Three consecutive heats in one day demand stamina.
- Head-to-head record: Italo leads Robinson 4-3 in Championship Tour clashes.
- Surfing style: Aerials and fast tubes are Italo’s strengths.
Cloudbreak’s wave dynamics
Cloudbreak, the WSL Finals 2025 venue in Tavarua, Fiji, is a world-class left-hand break known for long, perfect tubes and sections for carves. The competition window, August 27 to September 4, hinges on sea conditions, ranging from medium waves ideal for maneuver combos to heavy waves dominated by tubes. The event’s start was postponed three days, awaiting a stronger swell for top-tier competition.
For Brazilians, Cloudbreak’s conditions suit their goofy stance. In medium waves, Yago and Italo can deploy aerials and carves, while in bigger surf, their tube-riding skills shine. Experts highlight that goofy-footers’ peripheral vision aids precision in tight tubes, a potential edge over rivals like Jordy Smith, winless against Yago, and Colapinto, who struggles in title-deciding moments.
Rivals and their strengths
Beyond the Brazilians, the Finals feature Jordy Smith, Griffin Colapinto, and Jack Robinson. Jordy, the 37-year-old second seed, seeks his first world title after two runner-up finishes, with wins in El Salvador and Margaret River but a weak Teahupoo showing. Colapinto, third seed, had an up-and-down season but earned a Tahiti Pro runner-up spot and won at Cloudbreak in 2024.
Jack Robinson, fourth seed, is a threat in big waves, fresh off a Tahiti Pro victory. His 3-4 record against Italo adds intrigue to their opening clash. Colapinto’s Cloudbreak win last year contrasts with his title-decision struggles, possibly due to pressure.
- Jordy Smith: Veteran with two 2025 wins, no victories against Yago.
- Griffin Colapinto: Tahiti runner-up, Cloudbreak 2024 winner.
- Jack Robinson: Big-wave specialist, faces Italo first.
Brazil’s WSL Finals legacy
Brazil has ruled the WSL Finals since 2021, with titles by Gabriel Medina (2021) and Filipe Toledo (2022, 2023). Only in 2024 did Brazil miss out, with John John Florence winning. Yago and Italo’s presence continues the “Brazilian Storm,” with Brazil fielding multiple finalists every year. Since Medina’s 2014 breakthrough, Brazil has claimed seven titles via Adriano de Souza (2015), Medina (2014, 2018, 2021), and Toledo (2022, 2023).
Yago, in his first Finals, aims to uphold this legacy, with the 2025 format favoring his ranking lead. Italo seeks to repeat his 2019 triumph, leveraging knockout experience. The 2025 Finals mark the format’s end, with a return to points-based scoring in 2026.
- Brazilian titles: Seven world championships since 2014, three surfers.
- Consistent presence: Brazil had multiple finalists every Finals edition.
- Format change: 2025 is the last Finals year, points system returns in 2026.
Decision expectations
Cloudbreak’s 2025 WSL Finals promise a tight contest. Yago Dora’s ranking advantage and versatility make him the favorite, while Italo’s experience and stamina keep him in contention. His rivalry with Robinson, fueled by the Teahupoo controversy, spices up the opening round. Jordy Smith and Griffin Colapinto aim to upset, but Cloudbreak’s demands favor the Brazilians.
A Yago-Italo final would guarantee Brazil the title, thrilling fans. The variable sea conditions, from technical tubes to maneuver-friendly waves, will shape the outcome. With live broadcasts and real-time coverage, the event is set to captivate millions, cementing Brazil’s surfing dominance.
