Sawyer Lindblad (USA) and Yago Dora (BRA) claimed wins at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona Cero, Stop No. 6 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Dora’s Finals Day excellence delivered a major win to bring the event title back to Brazil, his second following his win in 2023, against now World No. 1 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in their Final clash. A momentous day for women’s surfing, with Lindblad crowned event victor for her first-ever CT victory, overcoming 15-year-old phenom Tya Zebrowski (FRA) in Zebrowski’s maiden Final appearance.
Yago Dora Delivers Win For Brazilian Fandom at Saquarema
The reigning World Champion, Yago Dora (BRA), added a momentous fourth CT victory to his career highlights after claiming a second VIVO Rio Pro title, and claimed the GWM Tank 300 after scoring the highest heat total in the men’s or women’s Final, a 15.00 (out of a possible 20). Dora’s high-flying antics and searing rail work throughout the 2026 event garnered five of the top six scores, including an event-best 8.50 (out of a possible 10). Dora, 30, now reasserts himself toward the top of the rankings, leaving Rio ranked World No. 2.
“It’s amazing here. It’s no secret that I love this place. It’s unbelievable how many people here with the rain and the storm, and I’m so thankful for the energy,” said Dora. “That fueled me up after thinking it was going to be an empty beach today. I was hoping for a big crowd, and they really showed up. It’s really special here, and I love surfing in front of this crowd. It fuels the fire for me, and as soon as I walked down the beach and saw them, I knew I had to bring this win to them. They deserve this.”
“I knew Leo [Fioravanti] would get a big advantage if he got the win, so it was really important to win this one and get a little closer to him. The goal is No. 1, and I’m working really hard to get it again.”
Leading into the Final and with the updated rankings, a battle between World No. 1 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) and World No. 3 Yago Dora (BRA) provided fireworks. Fioravanti’s quick start was quickly supplanted by Dora’s aerial masterclass, soaring a backhand full rotation in the shifting conditions to post an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10). Then, Dora stayed busy and found multiple opportunities under priority, eventually navigating the lineup to find a 6.50 back up on another backhand air-reverse to push Fiorvanti’s requirement to an excellent 9.33. But, the Italian’s back-to-back 2026 CT wins weren’t to be as his last opportunity fell short of the requirement on his last attempt, crowning Dora the 2026 VIVO Rio Pro victor.
Dora had to overcome a heavyweight Semifinal clash with Australia’s perennial World Title contender, Ethan Ewing (AUS), a rematch of their 2023 VIVO Rio Pro Final. In the Semifinal, Dora posted an excellent 8.17 to cement his place in the Final. Dora is joined in the Top 5 by fellow Brazilian World Champions Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA), and countryman Miguel Pupo (BRA), along with Samuel Pupo (BRA) ranked No. 6, leaving Rio.
Sawyer Lindblad Claims Maiden CT Victory Over Rookie Phenom
A fourth-career CT Final for Southern California’s Sawyer Lindblad (USA) marked her maiden victory at the VIVO Rio Pro. Lindblad finished runner-up at this event in 2024, also finishing runner-up at Margaret River that year and having a recent second-place finish in New Zealand. Now, the 20-year-old, Lindblad, adds a first-ever CT victory to her already incredible resume and now sits at No. 4 on the rankings.
“I feel amazing. I’m really emotional right now after I’ve worked so hard for this, and I feel like I’ve gotten so many seconds. I’m just really happy it was my day,” said Lindblad. “I want to thank my sponsors who have been with me since such a young age. My parents, who are my biggest supporters, and my dad for coming down here with me. I want to thank the crowd for coming down every day, in the rain today, it’s been so incredible. I’ve had some really special moments here in Brazil. I qualified for the Tour here, made my first Final here, and now won my first CT here, so it’ll always hold a special place for me. There are some really exciting stops coming up so I’m just really excited now."
A Final featuring two of surfing’s rising stars, 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad (USA) and the youngest CT qualifier ever, Tya Zebrowski (FRA). Tough conditions tested Lindblad and Zebrowski early in the heat, providing only minimal scoring opportunities as Lindblad found an early 7.57 heat total lead. The two hunted the lineup, Zebrowski falling on a major scoring opportunity that would’ve easily turned the heat in her favor. But, Lindblad’s forehand on the lefts kept inching her score line up, totaling a 7.67 heading into the dying minutes. With the waves not cooperating to provide a spark in the final moments, Lindblad held onto her lead until the horn ended their battle and crowned her the VIVO Rio Pro victor, and first-ever CT win.
Lindblad’s journey to the Final matchup with Zebrowski included a massive win over Luana Silva (BRA) in the Quarterfinals and 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) before lay days had the San Clemente competitor preparing for the 15-year-old Tahitian phenom in the Final.
Leonardo Fioravanti Takes Over Yellow Leaders Jersey Leaving LATAM
After a momentous, first-ever CT win of his own in El Salvador, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) carried that momentum all the way toward back-to-back Final appearances. The Italian’s Semifinal win over Saquarema’s own João Chianca (BRA) pushed him to No. 1 on the rankings for the first time in his career heading into Tahiti. Now, Fioravanti, 28, prepares for his first proper World Title run with six events remaining in the 2026 CT season.
“We dream our whole lives to be in these places, and fight for Finals against the best in the world. I’m very proud of my performances in the last two events,” said Fioravanti. “I got my first win, and then I came to Brazil, honestly, not many expectations, even though I knew I could do well here, but this place is very hard. I had so many heats against some of the best Brazilians, including Weslley [Dantas], then Samuel [Pupo], and João [Chianca], then Yago [Dora] in the Final. This is the best part of this event because they have the best support, and you get to compete in that environment.
15-Year-Old Tya Zebrowski Earns First CT Final Ahead of Tahiti
Officially qualifying for the CT at age 14, Tya Zebrowski (FRA) became the youngest to achieve the feat. Now, the 15-year-old Tahitian phenom, Zebrowski, earned her first-career CT Final at the 2026 VIVO Rio Pro to help ignite her season after a string of early losses. A defining year on the Challenger Series witnessed Zebrowski claim the season win, entering the 2026 CT season as the top-seeded Rookie contender, where she has had to face Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Carissa Moore (HAW) early in events, and accomplished besting both in Rio on the way to her runner-up finish.
"I feel incredible. It’s my first-ever Final on the CT and it’s amazing," said Zebrowski. "This is a dream come true for me to be on the Tour and be among the best surfers in the world. I’m just so thankful to be a part of it. Thank you to my family, my whole team, my sponsors. And a big thank you to Saquarema, you are the best for supporting us all week and I’ll try to do better next time.”
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Final Results
1 - Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 7.67
2 - Tya Zebrowski (FRA) 6.10
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men’s Final Results
1 - Yago Dora (BRA) 15.00
2 - Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.17
VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Cero Men’s Semifinal Results
HEAT 1: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.00 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 10.10
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.30 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.67
