Canadian Para surfer Victoria Feige extends record with 5th straight world title

Canadian Para surfer Victoria Feige continued her reign of dominance by winning her fifth straight world title on Saturday in Huntington Beach, Calif., extending her record for most gold medals at the sport's premier event.

The 38-year-old Vancouver native topped the podium in the women's kneel division after earning7.93 points in the final, besting Brazil's Vera Quaresma (6.23),Spain's Audrey Pascual (6.13) and France's Emmunelle Blanchet (5.17).

"Seeing the level rise, it's so sweet to have a victory, but seeing the movement rise is probably the best part," Feige said. "It's also so empowering, because I feel like I'm not alone, there's other girls in the world with disabilities like mine who've got that fire to really push the level."

The top-ranked Feige, who relocated toHawaii in 2021, is the winningest woman inPara surfing history. Her 2023 season also includesgold medals at theHawaii AdaptiveSurfing Championships and the Costa Rica OpenPro ofAdaptive Surfing.

Feigecalledher record-extending win a "dream come true" on social media.

Para surfing is currently not part of the Paralympic program, but the International Surfing Association (ISA) is pushing for the sport to make its debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

"What a week Huntington Beach has served for us, incredible, unforgettable. Of course in the back of all our minds is the hope, it might happen, that the L.A. 2028 Paralympic Games will finally include Para surfing," ISA presidentFernando Aguerresaid in a release.