France’s Clémence Schorsch secured a bronze medal at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Punta Rocas, Peru, on Sunday, marking the nation’s second consecutive year with a podium finish at the event.The championships, held amid challenging 1.5 to 2-meter swells, saw impressive performances from the French team, including a career-best fifth-place showing from Jay Phipps in the U18 men’s division. Despite fielding a team undergoing significant transition with several rookies, France finished seventh reaffirming its standing as a competitive force in junior surfing.
Clémence Schorsch secured a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Punta Rocas, Peru, on Sunday, marking the best finish for a French athlete at the event for the second consecutive year. The competition, held in waves reaching 1.5 meters, saw Schorsch navigate a challenging field to reach the podium. Jay Phipps also delivered a strong performance, finishing fifth in the U18 men’s division, as France concluded the championships in seventh place overall.
Clémence Schorsch continues to prove herself as a force in junior surfing. Following a fourth-place finish in Brazil in 2023 and a silver medal in El Salvador last year – both in the U16 division – the 17-year-old powered through the U18 competition in Peru. After winning her quarterfinal on Saturday, Schorsch dominated her semifinal on Sunday morning, defeating Spain’s Sol Borelli (2nd) and highly-touted American Lanea Mons (3rd), who was eliminated before the final.
Less than two hours later, Schorsch was back in the water for the final, vying for the world title. In building swells reaching two meters, she employed her signature patient approach, waiting for the best waves. However, for the first fifteen minutes, opportunities were scarce, while Borelli established a strong lead with consistent wave selection. Trailing in fourth with a quarter of the heat remaining, Schorsch finally connected with a wave worth 6.30 points, reigniting her chances. She then found herself in third place behind Borelli and Australia’s Milla Coco Brown, needing a score above 7 to contend for the championship. Unable to find a substantial wave, Schorsch took a risk on a smaller wave in the final minute, improving her score to 6.70 – enough to secure the bronze medal ahead of China’s Yang Siqi.
Jay Phipps realizes the best performance of his career at the ISA World Junior Championships. (© FFSurf / Stéphane Sisco)
Earlier in the day, Jay Phipps had a heroic run to the semifinals before being eliminated. The Landais surfer battled through the repercharge rounds, winning five consecutive heats to reach the final four. Facing England’s Lukas Skinner and Hawaii’s Tiger Abubo, Phipps damaged a fin after hitting a rock. After switching boards, he struggled to find his rhythm as his opponents built a lead. Down by a combination of points with six minutes left, Phipps landed a powerful wave, scoring an 8.33 and staying in contention. Ultimately, he couldn’t find another scoring opportunity, but his performance marked a career milestone after previous editions saw him finish outside the top 20.
The French team finished seventh in the overall standings. This result mirrored their performance in 2011 in Peru and in 2023 in Brazil. Despite fielding a team in reconstruction, with seven rookies and a completely revamped coaching staff, France reaffirmed its position as a major surfing nation. Australia claimed the overall team title for the tenth time in history, dominating the competition against the United States, Brazil, and host nation Peru. Spain, with individual U18 titles from Dylan Donegan and Sol Borelli, finished fifth overall, followed by Hawaii and France. Tahiti placed 12th.
Another standout performance for France came from Rose Calvez, who finished seventh in the U16 girls’ division. The 13-year-old from Guadeloupe reached the quarterfinals on Saturday, showcasing impressive tactical awareness and fearless surfing. Competing in a highly competitive heat, she excelled on long, right-hand waves, finishing just 0.16 points behind eventual champion Bailey Turner (United States) and Zoey Kaina (Hawaii).
Clémence Schorsch in action on Sunday in Peru (© ISA / Sean Evans)
RESULTS
U18 Girls Final
1. Sol Borelli (Spain) 15.33 pts
2. Milla Coco Brown (Australia) 14.60 pts
3. Clémence Schorsch (France) 13.00 pts
4. Yang Siqi (China) 11.37 pts
U18 Boys Final
1. Dylan Donegan (Spain) 17.5 pts
2. Jacob Turner (Hawaii) 15.73 pts
3. Tiger Abubo (Hawaii) 12.5 pts
4. Lukas Skinner (England) 9.06 pts
..
5. Jay Phipps (France)
U16 Girls Final
1. Bailey Turner (United States) 13.07 pts
2. Catalina Zariquiey (Peru) 12.87 pts
3. Lucy Darragh (Australia) 12.66 pts
4. Zoey Kaina (Hawaii) 12.26 pts
U16 Boys Final
1. Ocean Lancaster (Australia) 17.13 pts
2. Thiago Passeri (Argentina) 16.57 pts
3. Caden Francis (Australia) 15.94 pts
4. Pablo Gabriel (Brazil) 14 pts
REACTION
Clémence Schorsch
“I’m very happy to have finished third. Even if I wanted more. I struggled at the beginning of this final. I came back little by little. It allowed me to finish third. I wanted to wait for a good wave at the beginning. It never came. I took a small wave to get into the rhythm. Third is already good. I hope to come back next year and do better. The French team motivates me, it pushes me upwards. I was waiting for my teammates to cheer. I hope to come back and make another final. It will be in El Salvador next year. I know it well. I will try to make another final and go for first place.”
Clémence Schorsch on the podium (right). (© ISA)
OVERALL STANDINGS
1. Australia – 6 564 points
2. United States – 6 089 points
3. Brazil – 5 707 points
4. Peru – 5 678 points
5. Spain – 5 255 points
6. Hawaii – 5 044 points
7. France – 4 880 points
8. Japan – 4 554 points
9. Portugal – 4 343 points
New Zealand – 4 104 points
10. Argentina – 4 100 points
11. Indonesia – 3 828 points
12. Tahiti – 3 749 points
…
FRENCH RESULTS
U16
Rose Calvez: 7th place
Naia Monte: 13th place
Alai Rodriguez Albeniz: 25th place
Lee-Ann Boudine: 37th place
Marley Benesenes-Masse: 49th place
Paul Fabre: 49th place
U18
Clémence Schorsch: Bronze Medal
Jay Phipps: 5th place
Aaron Bacon: 19th place
Anouk Chennaux: 25th place
Inigo Madina: 28th place
Lily Hirigoyen: 37th place
TEAM FRANCE
U16
Naia Monte (14, Hossegor Surf Club)
Rose Calvez (13, Pirates Surf Club)
Lee-Ann Boudine (15, Hossegor Surf Club)
Marley Benesenes-Masse (14, Lou Surfou Seignosse Surf Club)
Paul Fabre (16, Hossegor Surf Club)
Alai Rodriguez Albeniz (16, Hendaye Bidassoa Surf Club)
U18
Clémence Schorsch (17, Fils de Baïne Surf Club)
Lily Hirigoyen (15, Hendaye Bidassoa Surf Club)
Anouk Chennaux (16, Hendaye Bidassoa Surf Club)
Aaron Bacon (17, Santocha Surf Club)
Inigo Madina (18, Hendaye Bidassoa Surf Club)
Jay Phipps (18, Hossegor Surf Club)
Staff
Cédric Leroy (DTN)
Mathieu Carpentier (team manager)
Pauline Ado (coach)
Eric Termeau (club coach)
Mattia Poirier (club coach)
Pierre Loquet (logistics)
Sabrina Vitry (doctor)
Romain Bernadoy (physiotherapist)
