Under sunny skies and temperatures of 21 degrees, Team Germany won the second Rip Curl Nations Trophy presented by Citroën at O₂ SURFTOWN MUC. In the final heat, the team won 5–3 against last year’s winners, Spain.
Around 5,500 spectators watched the thrilling contest live from the edge of the 180-metre wave pool – with a ride length of up to 25 seconds, the longest artificially generated ride in Europe. Those right at the front got a bit wet on the spectacular waves – a proximity to the action that isn’t possible at traditional surf contests by the sea. Eight national flags flew above the pool, accompanied by DJ sets, food trucks and a crowd that grew louder with every wave – until Team Germany were crowned champions in the evening.
Home victory under pressure
The expectation to deliver for Germany at their home spot in Munich had weighed noticeably on all four athletes. Even in the run-up to the event, Olympic surfer Leon Glatzer had spoken of “raw nerves” within the team – stable in their approach, but under pressure. In the end, it was Glatzer himself who delivered the decisive moment: a controlled straight air in the Air Right section, which took the final score to 5–2 and secured the trophy for Team Germany. On the very last wave of the final, Camilla Kemp then raised both fists in the air and conceded a consolation point to Spain – the whole team was already celebrating; the victory had long since been decided. Final score: 5–3.
Eight nations, a unique format
What makes the Rip Curl Nations Trophy unique: in professional surfing, competitions are traditionally contested for individual titles and World Tour points – here, everyone surfs for their own nation. 32 athletes, two men and two women per team, competed against each other in Germany’s first surf park, on changing wave modes generated by pneumatic air pressure. The o2 SURFTOWN MUC is the world’s first facility of this state-of-the-art endless surf design, set to open in 2024 in Hallbergmoos near Munich. In the semi-finals, Germany and Spain were joined by France and the International Team.
“In a head-to-head, you only get one go per wave – it’s more nerve-wracking than almost anything else in surfing,” said Janina Zeitler, Team Germany athlete. “The fact that we pulled it off as a team is a huge relief.”
Last year’s winners Spain defeated
In its second edition, the Rip Curl Nations Trophy has significantly increased its profile. By being held on Europe Day, the event has established itself as a European sporting event on the international surfing calendar. Last year’s winners Spain came into 2026 looking to defend their title, but this time they were defeated by the German team.
“Germany was the better team today; that’s sport. But the energy with which people are surfing here in Munich for their own nation is something you don’t see in traditional surfing,” said Gony Zubizarreta of Team Spain
Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, CEO and founder of O₂ SURFTOWN MUC said they wanted a format that makes surfing a collective experience.
“What happened here today shows that team surfing has found its own audience. We’re going to build on that,” said Chris.
Between heats, live DJs and food trucks at the poolside created a festival atmosphere. After the awards ceremony at 7.45 pm, MCs, judges and helping hands took to the wave for an expression session – freer, without scoring, featuring wipeouts and roars of cheers from the crowd. The celebrations continued late into the night at the after-party with all eight nations and guests.
At a glance
Nations: 8 (Germany · Italy · Scandinavia · Spain · Portugal · France · UK/Ireland · International)
Athletes: 32 (16 women, 16 men)
Wave settings: 4 (Point Right · Air Right · Point Left · Air Left)
Semi-finals: Germany · Spain · France · International
Final score: 5:3 to Team Germany
Wave pool: 180 metres long, ride length up to 25 seconds
Spectators: around 5,500
Placings
Germany (Leon Glatzer, Janina Zeitler, Dylan Groen, Camilla Kemp)
Spain (Gony Zubizarreta, Sean Gunning, Lucia Machado, Ainara Aymat)