Three Down, One to Go: Erin Brooks Is Chasing Surfing History in Portugal

Kelly Slater did three. Stephanie Gilmore did three. Tom Curren did three. Now a 19-year-old Canadian has the chance to go one better, and the rest of the Championship Tour has a serious problem.

A few months ago, Erin Brooks was fighting to keep her place among surfing's elite. Now she's one event away from doing something none of the sport's biggest names have managed.

Four consecutive Championship Tour victories.

Not Kelly Slater. Not Stephanie Gilmore. Not Carissa Moore.

Nobody.

At least, not in the modern CT record books. And when the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal gets underway at Supertubos this week, Brooks will have the chance to turn one of surfing's most ridiculous comebacks into a piece of history.

From the chopping block to three straight wins

Let's rewind to July. Brooks was sitting 18th in the world rankings, having failed to progress beyond the second round at any of the season's opening six events. For a surfer tipped as one of the most exciting talents of her generation, things were looking decidedly ordinary.

Then came Tahiti.

Brooks won at Teahupo'o, backed it up with another victory in Fiji, and arrived at Lower Trestles looking like someone had flicked a switch.

In California, she dismantled a draw that included five-time World Champion Carissa Moore and reigning champion Molly Picklum before beating world No. 1 Gabriela Bryan 13.00 to 11.90 in the final.

Three events. Three different waves. Three trophies. More importantly, three consecutive wins against the best surfers on the planet, taking Brooks from 18th to fifth in the world rankings.

The company she's keeping

Winning three consecutive CT events is ridiculously difficult. The list of surfers who have managed it reads like a Hall of Fame guest list.

Kelly Slater achieved it in 1996, Tom Curren managed it in 1986 and 1990, and Sofia Mulanovich joined the club in 2004.

Stephanie Gilmore followed in 2008, while Carissa Moore put together three consecutive victories spanning the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Brooks has now joined that company. The frightening part? She has the opportunity to leave them behind.

Can she make it four in Peniche?

There's a compelling argument that she can.

Brooks has already conquered the heavy barrels of Tahiti and Fiji, then switched gears to win on the performance walls of Trestles. Her ability to combine technical tube riding with explosive manoeuvres makes her a genuine threat at Supertubos.

Portugal, however, is no guaranteed fourth trophy.

The shifting sandbanks, unpredictable closeouts and notoriously fast barrels can punish even the most talented surfers. Gabriela Bryan, Molly Picklum and Carissa Moore won't be particularly interested in watching Brooks make history, either.

The early forecast is promising, with west-northwest swell and favourable northerly winds potentially producing proper Supertubos conditions during the opening days.

If the barrels turn on, Brooks has every reason to fancy her chances. If they don't, she'll need the adaptability that carried her through California.

Either way, this is no longer a teenager enjoying a lucky run. This is a legitimate World Title contender who has spent three events making the world's best look beatable.

BOMBA will be on the ground in Peniche as accredited media for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, covering the action and hoping to catch up with Brooks herself.

Four consecutive CT victories. A potential first in surfing history.

Not a bad reason to get on a plane.