Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira chase world title in Cloudbreak at WSL Finals 2025
The wait for perfect waves in Cloudbreak, Fiji, ends this Monday, September 1, 2025, with the World Surf League (WSL) Finals deciding the world surfing champion. Yago Dora, the ranking leader, is one heat away from securing his first world title, while Italo Ferreira, ranked fifth, faces a tough path starting against Australian Jack Robinson. The event, held from August 27 to September 4, promises epic tubes and radical maneuvers on one of the world’s most iconic waves. Broadcast live on sportv2 and covered in real-time by ge, the final could mark another chapter in Brazil’s dominance, with seven titles in the last ten years. The potential shift to Restaurants, another Tavarua wave, adds unpredictability to the event.
After six days of waiting for ideal conditions, the WSL issued a yellow alert, signaling the championship is set to start at 4:30 PM (Brasília time). Yago Dora, with his consistent season, enters as the favorite, while Italo, known for his energy and explosive style, aims for a second world title. Choosing Cloudbreak as the venue, replacing Trestles, raises the technical stakes of the competition.
- Brazilian favoritism: Yago Dora needs just one win to clinch the title.
- Italo’s challenge: The Brazilian faces Jack Robinson in the first round, followed by Griffin Colapinto and Jordy Smith.
- Wave conditions: Forecast predicts 6 to 12-foot waves, with potential for heavy tubes.
The event promises to be a milestone, with the last edition of the Finals format before the return to a points-based system in 2026.
Yago Dora in pole position
Yago Dora enters the WSL Finals with an impeccable season. Leading the rankings with 54,750 points, the Paraná-born, Florianópolis-raised surfer secured victories in Peniche, Portugal, and Trestles, USA, plus a runner-up finish in Jeffreys Bay. His early exit in Teahupoo, due to a tactical error by not using priority in the final seconds, served as a lesson. “It was a wake-up call. I’m more focused than ever,” Yago stated. His preparation in Fiji included intensive training at Cloudbreak, where he blends deep tubes with aerial maneuvers, leveraging the wave’s versatility.
A new WSL rule for 2025 gives Yago a unique advantage: a single win in the final heat secures the title, bypassing the best-of-three series. This change eases pressure on the leader, who awaits the winner of the knockout rounds featuring Italo Ferreira, Jack Robinson, Griffin Colapinto, and Jordy Smith.
- Yago’s season: Wins in Peniche and Trestles, second in J-Bay.
- Strategic edge: New rule favors the ranking leader.
- Preparation: Intensive Cloudbreak training to adapt to conditions.
- Surfing style: Mix of tubes and aerials, ideal for Cloudbreak.
Yago’s confidence is bolstered by his familiarity with Fiji, where he competed in 2024 Championship Tour (CT) events, excelling on left-hand waves.
Das vozes que narram o surfe!
— WSL Brasil 🇧🇷 (@WSLBrasil) September 1, 2025
Italo e Yago chegam ao #WSLFinalsFiji com o Brasil inteiro na torcida 🔥🇧🇷
🌊 Lexus WSL Finals Fiji apresentado por Corona Cero
🗓️ Próxima chamada hoje, às 16h (de Brasília)#WSLBrasil #BrasilNoWSLFinals #WSLFinalsFiji pic.twitter.com/dp6csTpEaX
Italo Ferreira’s warrior path
Italo Ferreira, the 2019 world champion and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, faces a tougher challenge. As the fifth-ranked surfer, he must win three consecutive heats in one day to reach the final. His first hurdle is Jack Robinson, an opponent with whom he has a heated history, including a controversial interference call in Teahupoo that eliminated Italo. “It always sparks when I face Jack. I’m ready to surf a lot,” Italo said.
Italo holds a 4-3 edge over Robinson in CT matchups, boosting his confidence. His frenetic style, with high-speed aerials and tubes, suits Cloudbreak. If he advances, he’ll face Griffin Colapinto in the second round and potentially Jordy Smith in the third before a possible showdown with Yago.
- Robinson history: Italo won 4 of 7 CT matchups.
- Surfing style: Explosive, with fast aerials and tubes.
- Resilience: Reached WSL Finals in 2022 and 2024, finishing second.
- Physical challenge: Three heats in a day demand exceptional stamina.
Italo’s experience in knockout competitions and skill in tubular waves make him a real threat, despite his lower ranking.
Cloudbreak versus Restaurants: the stage for the showdown
Cloudbreak, located off Tavarua, is one of the most feared and respected waves in surfing. With long tubes and sections for radical maneuvers, it ranges from 2 to 20 feet, depending on conditions. The forecast for September 1 and 2 predicts 6 to 12-foot swells with offshore winds, ideal for perfect waves. However, the WSL is considering moving part of the event to Restaurants, a nearby wave offering longer walls suited for linked maneuvers.
Restaurants, though less daunting than Cloudbreak, is faster and favors goofy-footed surfers like Yago and Italo, who surf with their right foot forward, ensuring better vision and control on left-hand waves. “Restaurants could be a trump card for the Brazilians, especially Italo, who shines in aerials,” noted analyst Adrian, without citing specific sources.
- Cloudbreak: Heavy tubes, higher unpredictability, ideal for big waves.
- Restaurants: Long walls, perfect for maneuvers and aerials.
- Goofy advantage: Yago and Italo benefit in both waves.
- Forecast: Best conditions expected for September 1 and 2.
A potential two-day split, with Restaurants on Tuesday (2) and Cloudbreak on Wednesday (3), would be unprecedented and enhance the spectacle, leveraging the best of each break.
The strength of Brazilian support
The #BrazilAtWSLFinals campaign, launched by WSL Brazil, has mobilized fans on social media, flooding platforms with support for Yago and Italo. The friendly rivalry between the two, who’ve faced off in finals like Peniche, has fostered a bond of mutual respect. “Yago’s a guy I really admire. If I have to lose, let it be to him,” Italo said lightheartedly.
Brazil has dominated surfing since 2014, with titles from Gabriel Medina (2014, 2018, 2021), Adriano de Souza (2015), and Filipe Toledo (2022, 2023). The prospect of an eighth title in 11 years excites fans, who see Yago and Italo as the continuation of the “Brazilian Storm.”
- Brazilian dominance: Seven world titles since 2014.
- Rivalry and friendship: Yago and Italo compete fiercely but respect each other.
- Fan mobilization: #BrazilAtWSLFinals campaign engages fans online.
- Fiji history: Brazilians dominated Cloudbreak in 2024.
Fans hope for an all-Brazilian final, which would be a landmark for the sport in the country.
The weight of the opponents
Beyond Yago and Italo, the WSL Finals feature formidable competitors. Jack Robinson, ranked fourth, won the Tahiti Pro and excels in tubes, making him a threat in Cloudbreak. Griffin Colapinto, third in the rankings, brings consistency and modern maneuvers, while Jordy Smith, second place, is the veteran with nearly two decades of experience in Fiji.
Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion, picked Robinson as a likely finalist against Yago, citing his prowess in heavy waves. Still, Brazilian fans trust Yago’s versatility and Italo’s grit to overcome the competition.
- Jack Robinson: Tahiti winner, tube specialist.
- Griffin Colapinto: Modern style with aerials and rail work.
- Jordy Smith: Veteran with Cloudbreak experience.
- Slater’s prediction: Backs Robinson as a finalist.
The mix of talent, experience, and unpredictable conditions makes the WSL Finals 2025 a must-watch event.
The future of the Finals format
The 2025 edition marks the end of the Finals format, introduced in 2021. Starting in 2026, the WSL will revert to a points-based system, with the final event at Pipeline, Hawaii. The change reflects the league’s aim to balance season-long consistency with the drama of a single-decision event. Cloudbreak, with its grandeur, is the perfect stage to close this era.
Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira, with complementary styles, embody the essence of Brazilian surfing: technique, passion, and resilience. Monday’s decision could crown a new champion or solidify a veteran’s legacy. Regardless of the outcome, Brazil is well-represented in the quest for a “passport to history.”
