France enjoyed some of the Atlantic Ocean's best waves as two brothers clashed for the first time in a World Surfing Championship event final.

Defending world and Quiksilver Pro champion Andy Irons downed his younger brother Bruce to extend his ratings lead to more than a thousand points after eight of this year's 11 events.

The top four remained unchanged as Irons rose to 7,236 points to lead six times champion Kelly Slater (6,192), a third American in CJ Hobgood (5,856) and Australian Joel Parkinson (5,808) who bowed out in the fourth round.

Michael Lowe was the best of the large Australian contingent, beaten in the quarter-finals by Slater 16 points to 7.83.

Hossegor's La Nord beach turned on three to four metre waves reminiscent of perfect Sunset Beach, Hawaii.

The Hawaiians naturally felt at home and Andy opened the final with a 9-point barrel ride and immediately backed it up with an eight to win by five points.

"Probably one of the most memorable wins of whole my life. To have my brother in it, and be in the south of France with 10-foot waves it was awesome," Irons said.

"I think losing at Trestles (California, in the previous event) and getting a 33rd was a blessing for me. It brought me back to reality and made me surf smart."

Andy beat 2000 world champion Sunny Garcia in the semis and Bruce accounted for Slater.

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