- US, European markets rise before Boeing unveils sweeping job cuts
- Small Quebec company dominates one part of NHL hockey: jerseys
- Comoros shock Tunisia, Salah, Mbeumo strike in AFCON qualifiers
- Boeing to cut 10% of workforce as it sees big Q3 loss
- Germany win in Nations League as 10-man Dutch rescue point
- Undav brace sends Germany to victory against Bosnia
- Israel says fired at 'threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- Want to film in Paris? No sexism allowed
- Ecuador's last mountain iceman dies at 80
- Milton leaves at least 16 dead, millions without power in Florida
- Senegal set to announce breakaway development agenda: PM
- UN says 2 peacekeepers wounded in south Lebanon explosions
- Injury-hit Australia thrash 'embarrassing' Pakistan at Women's T20 World Cup
- Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being
- Israel says fired at 'immediate threat' near UN position in Lebanon
- New US coach Pochettino hails Pulisic but worries over workload
- Brazil orders closure of 2,000 betting sites
- UK govt urged to raise pro-democracy tycoon's case with China
- Sculptor Lalanne's animal creations sell for $59 mn
- From Tesla to Trump: Behind Musk's giant leap into politics
- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
- In Colombia, children trade plastic waste for school supplies
- Supercharged hurricanes trigger 'perfect storm' for disinformation
- JPMorgan Chase profits top estimates, bank sees 'resilient' US economy
- Djokovic proves staying power as he progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Sheffield Utd boss Wilder 'numb' after Baldock death
- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- Fans immerse themselves in Marina Abramovic's first China exhibition
- Israel says conducting review after UN peacekeepers wounded in Lebanon
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
- Djokovic 'overwhelmed' after 'greatest rival' Nadal's retirement
- Zelensky in Berlin says hopes war with Russia will end next year
- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Djokovic proves staying power as progresses to Shanghai semi-finals
- Hurricane Milton leaves at least 16 dead as Florida cleans up
- Britain face 'ultimate challenge' in America's Cup duel with New Zealand
- Lebanon calls for 'immediate' ceasefire in Israel-Hezbollah war
- Nihon Hidankyo: Japan's A-bomb survivors awarded Nobel
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Boat captain rescued clinging to cooler in Gulf of Mexico after storm Milton
- Tears, warnings after Japan atomic survivors group win Nobel
- 'Unspeakable horror': the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- Christian villagers 'trapped' in south Lebanon crossfire
- Sabalenka sets up Gauff showdown in Wuhan semis
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Kim Sei-young holds lead with late birdies at LPGA Shanghai
- Toulouse welcome Dupont 'boost' as Olympic star returns to Top 14
- Japanese atomic bomb survivor group Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize
Olympic surfers deal with towering Teahupo'o
Two-metre high waves made for an ideal start to the Olympic surfing competition 16,000 kilometres away from 2024 Games city Paris in Tahiti, home of the towering Teahupo'o.
When the French Pacific island was first chosen it sparked controversy over the construction of an aluminium judges' tower at the paradisiacal venue.
But after the fears of local environmentalists that the coral reef would be damaged were allayed, surfing royalty pulled on their wet suits on Saturday with a mixture of fear and excitement.
For good reason because they are facing the majestic Southern Ocean waves, which when they explode on the reef produce the fearsome Teahupo'o.
Roughly translated as "sever the head" or "place of skulls", the wall of water features in the chart of the top 10 deadliest waves in the world.
"You've really got to face your fears, there’s no hiding out there," Australia's Molly Picklum said.
"Teahupo'o is a wave that made me grow in every sense of the word, mentally, physically, emotionally, in everyday life and in surfing," Vahine Fierro, born on a neighbouring French Polynesian island, told AFP.
"I was so excited I woke up this morning with butterflies in my stomach," said Fierro after topping her heat on Saturday to cement her standing as one of the main medal hopes.
"It’s really special to be able to surf my first Olympics at home," said the wave-chaser who beat Picklum to win the Tahiti Pro Olympic warm-up in May.
The women's draw has real depth with world number one Caitlin Summers and her American teammate Carissa Moore, the reigning Olympic champion, also in contention for gold.
This duo, with Caroline Marks, all dominated their heats.
The men's section is headed by two-time world champion John John Florence with the title vacant following the absence of Tokyo champion Italo Ferreira of Italy.
The Americans are looking like a force to be reckoned with after the first heats with Florence and Griffin Colapinto posting the best men scores.
Florence though was taking everything in his stride.
"When I get in the water everything just quietens down for me and I just go into that and surf," said the Honolulu-born 31-year-old.
French men's captain Joan Duru made a statement of intent when comfortably beating Australia title contender Jack Robinson.
For surf-crazy Brazil it was a mixed first day at only the sport's second appearance at an Olympics after its debut at the covid-delayed 2020 Games.
Brazil's three-time men's world champion Gabriel Medina who described Teahupo'o as "my favourite wave in the world" won his heat along with Joao Chianca.
But teammates Filipe Toledo and Tatiana Weston-Webb were forced to go through a 'surf-off' stage.
With the swell expected to increase Chianca commented: "We are really excited about the forecast and hope the best conditions stay solid and we get pumping Teahupo’o."
For some of the local inhabitants the whole Olympic experience has been underwhelming, with daily life made complicated by a heavy police presence, heavy access restrictions and the influx of Games' officials.
"It's true that it is an impressive event but we are tired of having to show our passes four times just to go 500 metres -- my biggest wish is for everyone to leave again," retiree Romain Taupua told AFP.
Heimiri Afo, a 30-year-old firefighter, said the Olympics had left a very visible presence.
"This is truly an opportunity to welcome all these countries. But we were never told about all the restrictions and we no longer recognise our beach, there are barriers everywhere."
The two finals are scheduled for Wednesday but could be delayed a day or two if the forecast poor weather arrives in surfing heaven.
P.Santos--AMWN