Francisca Veselko (POR) and Jacob Willcox (AUS) have made their mark on the world surfing stage, taking out top honours at the 2025 Burton Automotive Newcastle SURFEST Presented by Bonsoy. The event, serving as Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS), delivered world-class conditions at Merewether Beach, setting the stage for two career-defining victories.
Veselko Makes History for Portugal
Francisca Veselko delivered the biggest result of her career, claiming her first-ever Challenger Series win and becoming the first Portuguese woman to hoist the SURFEST trophy. The 2023 World Junior Champion showcased poise and power throughout the event, peaking on Finals Day with a standout Semifinal performance against Tya Zebrowski (FRA). Posting the highest two-wave total of the day—15.16, including a near-excellent 8.83—Veselko rode her momentum straight into the Final.
There, she faced Australian veteran Sally Fitzgibbons, who had been a standout performer across the event. The Final saw a tight back-and-forth, but Veselko’s savvy wave selection and rhythm with the ocean helped her secure a two-wave total of 14.60, sealing a historic victory.
“I’m tripping, I don’t know what to say really,” Veselko said. “This is the best day of my life for sure. There has been a lot of work in the lead-up to this by my team, my family and my coach. My coach has been with me since I was eight and sacrificed a lot to help me get to here, so this is special.”
Veselko joins an elite group of past SURFEST champions—including Layne Beachley, Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons herself—but stands alone as the first woman from Portugal to do so. With this win, she now leads the Challenger Series rankings in her bid for a 2026 Championship Tour berth.
Reflecting on her Final heat with Fitzgibbons, Veselko added, “It was insane to share a Final with Sally. She is such a warrior and a legend and a true inspiration… She isn’t afraid of the new generation and pushes for us. She is a legend and I love her.”
Willcox Breaks Through on Home Soil
Western Australia’s Jacob Willcox also claimed a breakthrough, securing his maiden Challenger Series win and breathing new life into his quest to return to the Championship Tour. After missing the Mid-season Cut in his 2024 rookie CT season, Willcox arrived in Newcastle determined—and it showed.
In the Final, he faced fellow goofy-footer Kauli Vaast (FRA) in what started as a lively showdown. Both surfers exchanged early scores, but as the ocean slowed, Willcox managed to hold a slight edge. A quiet second half left both athletes waiting for a final opportunity. When a last-minute flurry came, Vaast couldn’t capitalise, leaving Willcox victorious with a 12.30 total.
“This has been a long time coming,” Willcox said. “I’ve had a lot of losses to get this win, and it feels incredible to finally get it. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here.”
Willcox’s name now joins an iconic list of Newcastle SURFEST winners including Kelly Slater, Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.
“The final was pretty slow in the end,” Willcox admitted. “But I was just telling myself that sometimes the ocean just gets on your side… That’s the thing with our sport, you just never know when you’re going to get your moment. My moment was today, so I was stoked.”
