South Africa (Thursday, July 13, 2023) – The opening day of competition at the Corona Open J-Bay, Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), has been called ON in three-to-four foot waves at Supertubes. The Men’s Opening Round of competition will start at 8:00 a.m. GMT +2. Women’s Opening Round of competition to follow.
The first heat of competition will feature Joao Chianca (BRA) against Barron Mamiya (HAW) and Seth Moniz (HAW). This will be Chianca’s first CT event at Jeffreys Bay and he will look to secure a good result to keep his spot in the Top 5.
Heat 2 of the Men’s Opening Round will see defending event winner and current no. 3 Ethan Ewing (AUS) up against Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Rio Waida (INA).
The women’s competition will kick off with rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) against Molly Picklum (AUS) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW). Simmers recently climbed her way back into the Top 5 after an incredible victory at the Vivo Rio Pro and a solid result in J-Bay could see her maintain or even better her position.
Current World No. 1 and five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), who already clinched a spot in the WSL Final 5, will come up in Heat 2 of the Women’s Opening Round against Lakey Petersen (USA) and South African wildcard Sarah Baum (RSA).
Corona Open J-Bay Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
Heat 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Adin Masencamp (RSA)
Heat 5: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
Heat 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA)
Corona Open J-Bay Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Sarah Baum (RSA)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 4: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
Watch LIVE: Corona Open J-Bay
The Corona Open J-Bay holds a competition window from July 13, through July 22, 2023. Once called on, the competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app.
