But after a day of repechage rounds, France, who earned the first gold of the Championship yesterday in winning the Aloha Cup tag-team relay event, finished with a slight advantage.

The hosts have three surfers in the main event side of the draw, while defending champions United States have three surfers in the elimination repechage rounds, which means they will have no margin for error.

Peru also remain in contention for gold as the only other nation with three surfers remaining – a good day tomorrow could spoil the party for the two favourites.

Thousands of spectators enjoyed the spectacle of today’s competition at Côte des Basques in perfect weather.

Last year’s women’s silver medallist, Chloe Calmon of Brazil, underlined her status as one of the gold medal favourites as, despite falling out of the repechage early in the event, she regained her progress, registering the two highest heat totals between either gender for the day with 17.74 and 14.60 points.

Team USA’s Lindsay Steinriede also put in a series of impressive performances but is still two heat wins away from the grand final.

“It feels good to get closer and closer to that grand final,” said Steinriede.

“To win a gold would be awesome.

“Helping my team win a gold is the experience I am looking for here.”

On the men’s side of the competition, Argentina’s Martin Perez continued to impress.

The competitors already placed in the main event final did not compete today as they awaited the athletes coming through from the repechage rounds.

In the men’s main event final, France’s Delpero brothers Antoine and Edouard, Peru’s 2018 ISA silver medallist Benoit Clemente and England’s Ben Howey will hope to advance into the grand final.

For the women, Japan’s 2018 copper medallist Natsumi Taoka, Peru’s María Fernando Reyes, France’s Alice Lemoigne and Team USA’s Soleil Errico are due to move into action.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: “We’ve finally arrived at the moment we’ve been waiting for – 102 athletes, 31 countries and eight days of competition have brought us to the final day, where dreams will be made and history written.

“Today we witnessed some gutsy performances in the repechage rounds, with athletes advancing through two heats.

“It’s a great illustration of why we use a double elimination format.

“Conditions are looking to be epic for the finals, with waves in the 3-4 range, hot weather and calm winds – a perfect day to crown world champions.”