Taylor Jensen has been crowned the 2017 World Surf League (WSL) World Longboard Tour champion.
The American longboarder secured his third world title after defeating Edouard Delpero in a thrilling surf-off heat, in Jinzun Harbour, Taitung, Taiwan.
Jensen was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Taiwan Open World Longboard Championship, and had to wait and see what his French rival did.
And because Delpero won the final against Phil Rajzman, they had to surf for the ultimate longboard trophy. It is only the second time in the history of professional surfing that a surf-off has decided a world title.
"This doesn't feel real. I'm totally tripping out on this. For it to go down to a surf-off is really cool. I was a mess all week, not sleeping and just constantly nervous than when I found out I would surf for it I just treated it as a normal final," explained Taylor Jensen.
The log rider from Lake Tahoe had previously been crowned world champion in in 2011 (Italy) and 2012 (China). His name is part of a list started in 1986/1987, the year Nat Young won the first longboard world title.
"This is the sweetest of all of them. I have had a few close calls recently, and it has definitely taken a toll emotionally. This win has alleviated the frustration of the last few years and to get it in great waves in a beautiful place like this is special for me."
2017 World Longboard Tour | Surf-Off
1. Taylor Jensen (USA) 14.50
2. Edouard Delpero (FRA) 13.16