Italo Ferreira (BRA) advances to the final of the 2018 Corona Bali Protected after winning Semifinal Heat 2 at Keramas, Bali, Indonesia. Ferreira posted a only perfect ten point ride of the event for a massive rotation aerial maneuver.
Lakey Peterson (USA) and Italo Ferreira have taken out the Corona Bali Protected. The final day saw incredible performances in clean waves at Keramas on Bali’s east coast, allowing the world’s best surfers to put on a show at one of the most high-performance waves on the planet.
Peterson’s emphatic win sees her reclaim the Jeep Leader Jersey, continuing her red-hot form in 2018. The Californian had only two final appearances last season and settled for second on both occasions. After only four completed events this year, Peterson secured three finals and took top honors in two. Peterson’s wave selection and turn executions were on point at Keramas all week and the Final was no exception with the Santa Barbara native winning with a two-wave total of 14.33 (out of a possible 20) against two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS).
Italo Ferreira of Brazil won the Corona Bali Protected, 2018.
“I’m over the moon,” said Peterson. “This is just so crazy. Seeing Steph (Gilmore) win in Brasil really lit a fire in me, and I came here and knew what I had to do. I’ve just been keeping calm all week. This is a really long year, so it’s been fun to be a part of it so far. To have a Final against Tyler (Wright) was cool. She’s been surfing so well and when she took off on that last wave, I was so nervous and didn’t know if she’d get the score. In the end it worked out for me. That chair up the beach was so cool. There are people dancing everywhere. This is crazy.”
Lakey Peterson (USA) is the WINNER of the women’s 2018 Corona Bali Protected after winning the final at Keramas, Bali, Indonesia. With the victory Peterson takes the Jeep Leader Yellow Jersey going into the next event.
The Corona Bali Protected is the first-ever Women’s CT event in Bali, and it delivered all-time conditions. Peterson’s historic win today solidifies her status as one of the most progressive surfers on Tour and moves her a step closer to claiming the USA’s first women’s World Title since Lisa Andersen in 1997.
“Getting the Jeep Leader Jersey back is amazing,” Peterson continued. “We are all here to have that on our back. I had it for a short second at Bells, then Steph has had it since, so it is nice to get it back from her and feel like the momentum is still with me. Everyone is surfing so well that it won’t be easy to keep. I just want to play my own game and almost act like I’m coming from behind still. I just want to enjoy every moment. I’d love to thank my fiance, my mum and my family for everything. It’s been a crazy few years and it feels like this year everything is coming together.”
“It’s really cool to get back the Jeep Leader Jersey,” Ferreira said. “There are a lot more steps I need to take to win the World Title, so I will enjoy this moment, but I want to win more. The CT is full of amazing surfers, but I am feeling confident and I want to keep the momentum and extend my lead.”
“This wave is perfect; it reminds me of my home break,” Ferreira continued. “I have been paddling out when it’s dark every day because I love this wave and I want to get as many as I can. It was such a perfect day. Michel (Bourez) is a real power-surfer — probably the best on Tour — so I knew I needed to be at my best to win. Luckily for me, I found some good waves and was able to show my surfing.”
Reigning, two-time WSL Champion Wright has had an uncharacteristically slow start to the season and had not progressed past the Quarterfinals until this week at the Corona Bali Protected. Wright’s powerful brand of surfing was back to its best, threading tubes and throwing loads of spray with every turn. In the Final, she was unable to find the waves to match Peterson’s excellent opening score, but she will now head to the Uluwatu CT with confidence.
“It’s been a great contest, we’ve had great waves and the level of surfing has been really high,” Wright said. “I’ve been watching Lakey (Peterson) all week and I knew she would be tough to beat. She got that 8.33 early in the Final and the waves slowed down and I couldn’t catch her. I am happy with my performance this week, and I’m looking forward to going to the Uluwatu CT and doing it all over again.”
Michel Bourez (PYF) finishes RUNNER-UP in men’s 2018 Corona Bali Protected after placing second in the final at Keramas, Bali, Indonesia. The results is the second runner-up finish for Bourez in a final at Keramas, in 2013 he finished second in the final.
Michel Bourez (PYF) and Keramas were a perfect match all week with the Tahitian’s tube-riding ability and powerful rail-game trumping everyone he came up against. Unfortunately for Bourez, he failed to surpass his previous second-place finish at Keramas (2013). Although disappointed with coming short, he was stoked to move to 4th on the Jeep Leaderboard and will now turn his focus to the upcoming Uluwatu CT.
“It was a shame that the waves slowed down on Finals Day, but I’m still really happy,” Bourez said. “It was cool to come up against Italo (Ferreira) in the Final. He has been ripping all week. He and I have been the first ones in the water every morning and been on the same program. He is such a good guy, so I’m really stoked for him. A Final result is good but second is not enough. Winning would have really pushed me further on the rankings, but I can’t go backwards so it’s all good. I feel good heading to Uluwatu now. I really feel comfortable here in Bali. It feels similar to my island home in Tahiti.”
In his Semifinal victory over Jordy Smith (ZAF), Ferreira scored the Corona Bali Protected’s only Perfect 10. Ferreira took off on a reeling right-hander and drove into a deep bottom turn, where he then launched into a lofty and technical backhand full-rotation aerial. The landing was clean and smooth, followed by two powerful turns and another technical aerial on the end-section.
Wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS) finishes equal 3rd in the 2018 Corona Bali Protected after placing second Semifinal Heat 1 at Keramas, Bali, Indonesia.
On his way to the Final, Bourez dispatched event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS), who was a standout all event and continued to take down some of the biggest names in surfing. Wright’s performance saw him finish a career-topping Equal 3rd position. Wright now rockets to 12th on the Jeep Leaderboard, giving the 21-year-old a huge chance of qualifying for the CT in 2019 as a full-time competitor.
The next stop on the WSL CT will be the Uluwatu CT, the event that will complete the cancelled Margaret River Pro. The Uluwatu CT holding period will open in the next 72 hours and close on June 13th, 2018. In the men’s event, 24 competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with Round 3. In the women’s event, eight competitors remain in the field and competition will recommence with the Quarterfinals. Fans can watch all the action live on the WSL’s Facebook page, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Corona Bali Protected Women’s Final Result:
1 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.33
2 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.74
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Final Result:
1 – Italo Ferreira (BRA) 18.87
2 – Michel Bourez (PYF) 9.83
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 14.27 def. Mikey Wright (AUS) 5.67
SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.13 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.93
The Arica Pro has been pumping. The WSL Men’s QS 3,000 is held at the super heavy, shallow left lined with huge razor sharp mussels and scores every year.
The Corona Bali Protected has once again been treated to picture-perfect conditions. The event ran through the men’s Quarterfinals and the women’s Quarterfinals and Semifinals, leaving just four heats to go until the Corona Bali Protected victors will be decided.
The first competitor to solidify a spot in the Final was reigning two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) who took down event standout Silvana Lima (BRA) in Quarterfinal 1, then Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) in Semifinal 1. Wright seems to be building towards the final day as she has now guaranteed her best result for the year so far.
“These heats were a little slow for waves so I knew there wouldn’t be a lot of opportunities,” Wright said. “Wave selection was super important as you had to make everything count. I made a few mistakes in my Quarterfinal so definitely got lucky, but was happy to clean it all up in the Semifinal. The waves are really fun so tomorrow should be a great day.”
After Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was eliminated in the Quarterfinals, Lakey Peterson (USA) saw a massive opportunity to take back the Jeep Leader Jersey. Before she could eye it off, she would first have to overcome Malia Manuel (HAW) in Quarterfinal 1, a tough task as Manuel pushed her to the limit until the final minutes. She then met event standout Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in Semifinal 2 and put on a commanding performance that saw her dominate the Australian. Fitzgibbons began to fight back late but it was to no avail, giving Peterson her third CT final appearance of the year, where a win will give her the No. 1 spot on the Jeep Leaderboard.
“When I saw that Steph was out I think I let my emotions get the best of me,” Peterson said. “I was pretty aware of everything and watched her heat closely. I love the Jeep Leader Jersey and would really like it back. I hope to keep this rhythm going and get a good little run on but I’m also keeping things in perspective and if it doesn’t happen that’s fine because I’m having a lot of fun.”
Michel Bourez (PYF) started the men’s Quarterfinals with the daunting task of taking on the high flying rookie, Griffin Colapinto (USA). The lead went back and forth as the rookie and veteran exchanged tube rides and hacks, both surfers scored an excellent 8.50, but it was the Tahitian, Bourez, who had the bigger backup score and was able to advance into the Semifinals. Bourez finished runner-up here in 2013 and is looking set for another huge result in 2018.
“This wave sort of reminds me of a smaller Haleiwa, and I’ve won that event twice so I do feel like it really suits my surfing,” Bourez said. “That heat with Griffin was so much fun, we were just watching each other score perfect waves for 30 minutes. When I saw him get his 8.50 I was looking in the tube and he was so deep that I couldn’t see him, then he came out – I couldn’t believe it. Then I went out and got a really good one for myself too. I am stoked to be into the Semifinals, I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Mikey Wright’s (AUS) dream run at the Corona Bali Protected continues. The WSL wildcard is through to the Semifinals after defeating Willian Cardoso (BRA) in a thrilling Quarterfinal matchup. The battle started slow, but the climactic finish saw the lead change multiple times. In the dying minute, Cardoso was in a commanding position, with Wright needing an 8.36 when a set wave approached. It seemed as if Wright was too deep when he took off and pulled into the tube, but he came flying out a few seconds later and finished the wave with a series of power gouges. The wait for the score was intense, Wright was with his sister Tyler when the score was announced and they celebrated the victory that saw Wright win by only 0.07 of a point.
“That was a really tough heat against Willian, he was surfing so good,” Wright said. “It felt like a really long time waiting for that score to come, I was on the beach, but was so relieved when it came through. The waves have been so good and there’s been so much good surfing in this event, I can’t really believe I’m in the Semis.”
Mikey Wright of Australia won Heat 2 of the Quarterfinals at the Corona Bali Protected, 2018.
“My strategy surfing against Filipe (Toledo) out here is to be on the best waves,” Smith said. “He could get massive scores on those smaller inside waves, so if I just kept to the bigger ones and got barreled I could have control. I knew the judges were rewarding the barrels so I knew that first one would be a good score. I was so deep and came over the foam ball and came out and heard the cheers which was awesome. Getting a solid backup against him was super important as he is capable of anything. I’m just really happy to have a guaranteed result now, I’ve had a slow start to the year and am I’m so sick of that third round and continuing to get all of these almost last-place finishes, so it’s really nice to get a roll on, especially in pumping waves in a beautiful place like Bali.”
The final men’s Semifinal spot went to Italo Ferreira (BRA) who was rewarded once again for his pinpoint backhand attack. Ferreira was up against Frenchman Jeremy Florence (FRA) whose instinct in the barrel earned him an excellent 9.00 point ride, the highest single wave of the heat. Flores struggled to find another wave of substance leaving Ferreira to take the win and progress into Semifinal 2, where he will take on Jordy Smith.
“That was such a good heat with Jeremy,” Ferreira said “When he got that big score I began to panic and really had to calm myself down a lot. It felt like it works for me when I stay relaxed. I just try and treat each heat like a normal surf and have fun. Being the last goofy-footer in the event could play to my advantage as this wave really suites the backside — I love surfing this place, it’s so much fun.”
Earlier in the day in Women’s Quarterfinal 2, a massive upset unfolded as six-time WSL Champion and current Jeep Leader Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was eliminated by Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) in a down-to-the-wire matchup. Weston-Webb stayed as busy as possible in the slow conditions, while Gilmore waited for the sets. Needing only a 4.11 to take the lead, Gilmore found a medium set wave in the final minute, only to uncharacteristically fall on her first turn, leaving Weston-Webb to get the win and a Semifinal berth.
“Everytime I come up against a WSL Champion I just saver that moment as much as possible,” Weston-Webb said. “They are always the hardest people to beat and the hardest heats to make. Steph (Gilmore) is the most amazing surfer and I’ve always looked up to her, so to get a win off her, especially in those conditions feels really good. It was a slow heat and really nerve-racking. I felt for Steph having to wait with priority with no waves coming, but I’m stoked to make it to the Semifinals.”
Although she was eliminated in the Semifinal, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), locked in the event’s top score yesterday, was in red-hot-form at the Corona Bali Protected, posting a solid 8.40 for another critical tube ride. Fitzgibbons dispatched 2018 Rookie sensation Caroline Marks (USA) in the Quarterfinals and her Semifinal finish was her best result of the 2018 season so far.
The WSL Commissioner’s Office will reconvene onsite at the Corona Bali Protected at 6:30 a.m. for a possible 7 a.m. start tomorrow.
The Corona Bali Protected presented by Hurley will be broadcast LIVE on the WSL’s Facebook page, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, are calling for:
Successive pulses of fun size SSW swells will continue to roll in over the next few days, keeping up head-overhead sets for Keramas through the middle of next week. Conditions may be problematic for Sunday with onshore flow rising up quickly, but still fairly light early. Monday’s winds may be similar. Then light offshore winds show for much of the mornings over Tues/Wed. Watching for yet another fun size pulse by the 9th.
For more than a decade, the Masked Ball crew religiously researched the ingredients for the perfect home-baked festival.
In an age where throwing a load of big names on a poster, and dotting a few stages inside a fenced area seems to the conjure up the inventiveness of the modern music event, it’s soulfully refreshing to see small, organically-grown organisation like the Masked Ball buck the trend and offer something truly special.
Without sounding too much like someone who took a left at Woodstock and never came back, it’s the one-family vibe that earned the Summer Masked Ball the number one slot in the recent Guardian’s top ten best under-the-radar music festivals in Europe.
For the Summer Masked Ball creates an atmosphere of love, unity and friendship all under the pretext of a darn good party.
Sporting for the first time a coveted 24-hour license, the party didn’t stop – and revellers didn’t stop partying.
In what seems like a lifetime of organising events, the Masked Ball crew of directors Alec Short and Kelvin Batt (ably backed by a dedicated crew of seasoned festival hacks) have really come into their own in cooking up a summer festival as damn near perfect as it could be.
Set upon one of the most stunning locations in the Europe, the Summer Masked Ball is a playground for the most hedonistic party adventurer. Around every corner, is a feast of sensory overload. Where else does a dwarf invite you to enter a waist high tunnel leading to a camp disco hosted by a throng of scantily clad gyrating transsexuals? It’s a sight that will stay with the most seasoned partygoer for decades to come.
There was techno from Cornish bpm-masters SIN, gorgeous grooves from Jelly Jazz and even a Prince tribute band. The costumes were outrageous, resembling a cross between a South American Mardi Gras and a children’s fancy dress disco.
In every nook was a stunning surprise, a wonderland of secret venues, themed arenas and fantastic music and performers. This was an event with truly something for everyone. Entertainment-wise, there is so much to write about.
In the dozen or so venues, every genre of music was catered for from drum and bass to ska. The Saturday trip seemed to be a tour of all the arenas, finding a groove and atmosphere that suits your mood and sticking with it. Sunday was loose as a goose, where an infectious vibe of getting down filled the three remaining open venues with smiling faces.
Ball wingman Kelvin Batt said: “This is the best ball we have put on, a shoot back to the early days when it was all about the guests and the atmosphere.”
“It was a nice audience, and we were pleased with the extra stages. We would like to thank the crowd for being so brilliant. The new stages worked, it felt like a ball. The 24 hours worked well, no-where was too busy.”
Tickets for the Halloween Masked Ball, which takes place on October 27, are now on sale, with a limited run of just 500 tickets at £40.
WSL CHAMPIONS MEDINA, DE SOUZA, AND MOORE ELIMINATED
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) is having a slow start to the 2018 CT compared to previous years. Today she faced the tough task of taking on Malia Manuel (HAW) and former WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in Round 3 in pumping surf at the Corona Bali Protected. Fitzgibbons sat deep with priority when the best wave of the day rolled into the lineup, and she dropped in late to a dredging tube. After skillfully navigating two deep sections, Fitzgibbons came flying out of the tube and executed two powerful carves. She was rewarded with a near-perfect 9.93 (out of a possible 10), the highest single wave score of the event thus far. This left the two Hawaiian to battle for the second advancing position, with Manuel edging out Moore in a tight and dramatic finish.
“When you have priority and you see a wave like that it’s hard not to get too excited, inside the wave I had to go through two sections and I was thinking ‘I can do this.’ Then when I came out I was so stoked. It was such a tough draw with Carissa (Moore) and Malia (Manuel), my first wave didn’t work out so when I got that good one, it took a bit of pressure off and now I’m through to the Quarters.”
Sally Fitzgibbons
Reigning, two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) made a mid-heat strategy adjustment during Heat 1 of Round 3 to overcome Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Coco Ho (HAW). Wright struggled to complete her turns in the morning glare so opted to sit closer to shore and aim for the hollower inside waves, which eventually paid off as she booked herself a spot in the Quarterfinals with a winning heat total of 14.93 (out of a possible 20). Weston-Webb finished the heat in second and will also progress, while Ho was eliminated from competition in Equal 9th.
“I just couldn’t seem to do anything right at the start of that heat, I was falling off and struggling to make a turn, so I knew I had to change things up. The glare didn’t seem to affect me as much when I was getting barreled so I just looked for the hollower ones and it seemed to be a tactic that paid off.”
Tyler Wright
Six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) snuck through her Round 3 heat against fellow Australian Keely Andrew (AUS) and event standout Silvana Lima (BRA). In a slow heat for waves, each competitor had to make every opportunity count and that’s exactly what Jeep Leader Gilmore did, finding the best wave of the 35-minute encounter to narrowly overcome Lima, who was in the second progressing spot and Andrew, who was eliminated.
Caroline Marks
Stephanie Gilmore
Heat 3 was an all-American matchup between current World No. 2 Lakey Peterson (USA), Sage Erickson (USA) and 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA). It was the rookie who dominated early, leading with a 15.00 point heat total. Her compatriots were left battling for second qualifying spot until Peterson posted a near excellent 7.70 to move into first and progress with Marks into the Quarterfinals. Peterson will now meet Malia Manuel (HAW) in Quarterfinal 3.
The final heat of the day was an all-Brazilian affair with 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) taking on Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA). The heat had it all, tubes, aerials, fireworks, and it the end, it was Ferreira who won the heat and Toledo advancing in 2nd place. In the process. Toledo has amassed enough points to leapfrog Julian Wilson (AUS) and take the No. 1 spot on the Jeep Leaderboard, his first time since 2015.
“I have always dreamed of winning a World Title, so it’s nice to take the Jeep Leader’s Jersey, but the work isn’t over yet. Everyone on the CT wants to win and everyone is surfing so good, that’s why there are top seeds losing all the time. I just need to focus on making heats and hopefully, I can win this event and make it two in a row.”
Filipe Toledo
Michel Bourez (PYF) had an absolute ball in his Round 4 heat win over Willian Cardoso (BRA), who also advanced to the Quarterfinals in second position. Jesse Mendes (BRA) was eliminated with an Equal 9th, the best result of his Rookie season. Bourez threaded tube after tube and had the Keramas crowd on their feet with an incredible display of barrel-to-carve combos. Bourez will now take on Griffin Colapinto (USA) in the Quarterfinals when competition resumes.
“You know when the conditions are perfect when you forget about the competition and just focus on trying to catch more waves, this wave really suits my surfing, I love getting barrels and doing big turns. I’m not a guy that likes surfing small beach breaks - I’m a big guy and I like waves that have a lot of push. I have done well here last time, but I am not thinking about it really, there’s a lot of different guys on Tour now so it’s different.”
Filipe Toledo
Wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS) yet again solidified the decision to provide him with an opportunity at the elite level, booking a spot in the Quarterfinals at the Corona Bali Protected. Wright trailed CT veteran Adrian Buchan (AUS) and 2018 CT Rookie Griffin Colapinto (USA) for the majority of the heat until he unleashed a series of committed power hacks- to snatch first place. Colapinto then followed and added some of his progressive flare to move into second, leaving Buchan eliminated from the event.
Jordy Smith
Mikey Wright
Heat 3 of Round 4 was one of the most intense battles in competitive surfing as three of the CT’s most passionate competitors, Gabriel Medina (BRA), Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Jeremy Flores (FRA), matched up for a spot in the Quarterfinals. While Medina and Flores fought for priority, Smith played his own game taking control of the heat and stayed separate to the others. At the 15-minute mark, Smith engaged in a fiery paddle battle with Medina with the two bumping and splashing in an attempt to gain the all important first go at a wave. In the end, Smith took the honours with Flores finishing in second leaving the 2014 WSL Champion Medina to be eliminated in Equal 9th place.
“I knew that those guys were going to peacock pretty hard and battle for priority so I just opted to keep to myself, the waves are so pumping and clean you can almost get over excited to a lot of it is just staying calm and not over-surfing. That paddle-battle was crazy; He brushed my leg and I thought it was an accident then when it happened again I thought, okay, let’s go. It’s time to catch my breath and get ready for tomorrow.”
Jordy Smith
Corona Bali Protected Women’s Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.93 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.33, Coco Ho (HAW) 8.57
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.40 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 9.54, Keely Andrew (AUS) 8.50
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.03 def. Caroline Marks (USA) 15.00, Sage Erickson (USA) 11.67
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.93 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 14.00, Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.83
Corona Bali Protected Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Round 4 Matchups:
Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) 17.00 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 13.60, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.66
Heat 2: Mikey Wright (AUS) 15.80 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.73, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 12.50
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.76 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.70, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.76
Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.00 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.87, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.16
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
Heat 1: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Heat 2: Mikey Wright (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
The Corona Bali Protected continued in super clean three-to-five (1.4 – 1.9 metre) foot surf at Keramas. 12 heats of men’s Round 3 were run and won in what was an incredible day of action at one of the world’s most high-performance waves.
Mikey Wright (AUS), Corona Bali Protected wildcard has caused yet another massive upset by eliminating current Jeep Leader Julian Wilson (AUS) in an explosive battle. The first exchange saw both surfers score similar waves with tubes and crisp turns, but Wright got the nod from the judges to score a 6.60 to Wilson’s 6.00. With score in a similar range the heat would all come down to their back up scores. Wilson put the pressure on, netting a 5.83 to take the lead. Wright was left searching for a 5.23. In the last 90 seconds, wright pounced on a medium inside wave and unloaded three precision-sharp turns and was rewarded with a 5.67, adding another impressive upset to his collection.
“I’m really happy to be in the final 12 surfers left in the draw,” Wright said. “Julian (Wilson) is so good out here at Keramas, it was great to be out here with him. I love this wave, so I hope I can have a few more heats out here.”
The day started with a massive upset taking place as reigning, two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) was eliminated by 2018 CT Rookie Jesse Mendes (BRA) in Heat 1 of Round 3. Needing a score in the dying minutes, Mendes boosted a massive backhand air-revere, only just hanging onto the landing and riding out to get rewarded well above the requirement. Florence had two more shots at turning the tide but was unable to snatch the lead back and was eliminated in equal 13th to add to his string of poor results in 2018. Mendes, on the other hand, progresses into Round 4 and guarantees himself the best result of his rookie year so far.
“I knew against a guy like John John (Florence) I would have to go big to get the win,” Mendes said. “Somehow I stuck the landing but then almost fell again and was just hanging on hoping to get up and when I finally stood up I was just like ‘thank god’ — so stoked. I feel blessed to be on this tour and to be at this event in such a beautiful place with great people. It feels amazing to make that heat.
It’s hard to believe that before the Corona Bali Protected Jordy Smith (ZAF) had not progressed past Round 3 in 2018, but that all changed today. Smith posted a near-perfect 9.43 (out of a possible 10) after he threaded a critical tube and, he unloaded some of the most devastatingly powerful turns of the event. Smith’s scintillating performance was too much for Californian Conner Coffin (USA) who was eliminated in Equal 13th place.
“That was such a good wave — when you get waves like that at this level, you need to deliver or you’ll kick yourself,” Smith said. “If this is a World Title year for me this year, the campaign needs to start now. Round 3 has been super tough for me this year, the CT is tougher than ever, but I like it like that, it pushes me to be better. I’m happy to get through that heat, I’m not thinking too far ahead, I just want to surf my best and see where it goes.”
2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was in typically searing form at Keramas, absolutely dominating Heat 7 against 2018 CT Rookie Michael February (ZAF). February’s silky smooth style wasn’t enough to overcome the explosive backhand Medina who posted a winning heat total of 15.70.
“The waves were slow today but they were really fun when they came so you really had to be patient,” Medina said. “Even though I had a massive lead, the heat is never over until the final hooter sounds, so I knew I had to be smart with my priority and keep building on my scores. I’m having a lot of fun surfing at Keramas and can’t wait for my next heat. This is such an awesome location.”
Michel Bourez (PYF) and Ezekiel Lau (HAW), two of the CT’s heavyweights, matched-up in a power-packed heat. Both surfers had their opportunities as perfect tubes rolled non-stop through the lineup, leaving the pair to trade barrels, followed by powerful hacking turns. In the end, it was the Tahitian surfer who came out on top, courtesy of an 8.67 for one of the biggest and longest barrels of the day.
“That was a really good heat!” Bourez said. “I didn’t expect the waves to get that good because the heat before ours was slow. I am so happy to make it through that. I went for a surf this morning and I must have stepped on a stonefish or something because my foot hurts so bad, but I just had to power through the pain and it worked out for me in the end. Ezekiel (Lau) is such a good surfer, I am stoked that I was able to get some good waves and take the win.”
In one of the best heats of 2018 so far, Griffin Colapinto (USA) has ousted an in-form Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in a down-to-the-wire thriller. Wilkinson’s backhand was on point, going beyond vertical and even throwing a rodeo clown (flip) into the equation to take control of the heat. 2018 CT Rookie Colapinto was on the ropes and needing an excellent score to take the lead. Colapinto stayed calm as he took off and launched a massive frontside air-reverse, landing in the white-wash and riding away, posting, an 8.67, to take the lead. It was yet another impressive performance for 19-year-old Colapinto, while for Wilkinson it means some solid results in the second half of the year are a must in terms of requalification.
“Since I’ve been here I have been trying airs like that and not sticking them which has been frustrating,” Colapinto said. “I thought I may as well go for one in the contest and ended up landing the best aerial I have done since I arrived in Bali. Everyone in this event carries so much confidence and can pull out a manoeuvre when they need to, so I just thought it was my time to act like that. If I ever want to win a World Title one day, I have to be able to get out of a tough, high-pressure situation, and I feel like that’s what I just did — I learned a lot in that heat.”
Adrian Buchan (AUS) is one of the veterans on the CT and took a hard fought victory over 2018 CT Rookie Michael Rodrigues (BRA). The 30-minute encounter saw neither surfer give an inch, as both battled for inside position and the best waves. In the end, Buchan’s experience and explosive backhand attack saw him take the win and earn a spot in the next round. Buchan was thrilled to advance and continue to be involved with the Corona Bali Protected, promoting a cause that is close to his heart.
“I’ve been coming to Bali since I was 7-years-old and this place has given me so much, not just as a surfer, but as a person,” said Buchan. “To be able to be here and have a platform to promote awareness for protecting our oceans and beaches, but also help set up some programs to create change, makes me really proud to be here competing in the Corona Bali Protected. It’s great to see the CT athletes, WSL and Corona promoting something that I’m so passionate about.”
Current World No. 2 Filipe Toledo (BRA) is the best chance of stealing the Jeep Leader Jersey from Wilson at this week’s Corona Bali Protected, after an impressive win over Keanu Asing (HAW) saw him advance into Round 4. Toledo won the previous event in Rio and is continuing his red-hot form here in Bali with high flying aerials and his trademark speed-carves.
“I want that Jeep Leader Jersey really bad, I haven’t had it since 2015,” Toledo said. “The door is open now, it’s a good opportunity for me, so I just need to go to work and keep making heats. The goal from here is to stay near the top of the rankings and hopefully have a strong finish and win the World Title.”
Other heat winners in Round 3 included Willian Cardoso (BRA) who took down Aussie title threat Owen Wright (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), who overcame Frederico Morais (PRT) and Italo Ferreira (BRA), who was dominant over 2018 CT Rookie Tomas Hermes (BRA).
2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) won a close battle with former Keramas event winner and 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) in Heat 11 of Round 3.
The Corona Bali Protected presented by Hurley will be broadcast LIVE on the WSL’s Facebook page, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, are calling for:
Reinforcing SW-SSW swells move in and maintain chest-head high to slightly overhead sets at Keramas through Friday and the weekend. More similar size SSW swell lines up for 5th-6th and possibly the 9th as well. Good wind conditions again on Friday AM, but then turn problematic on the weekend with an increase of onshore flow. Better AM winds may return next week.
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Jesse Mendes (BRA) 13.34 def. John John Florence (HAW) 11.37
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 15.17 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 12.97
Heat 3: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 12.00 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 10.37
Heat 4: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.40 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 8.83
Heat 5: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.84 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 15.40
Heat 6: Mikey Wright (AUS) 12.27 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.83
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.70 def. Michael February (ZAF) 9.44
Heat 8: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.04 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.50
Heat 9: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.36 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 9.00
Heat 10: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.30 def. Tomas Hermes (BRA) 10.10
Heat 11: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.13 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 13.46
Heat 12: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.43 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 8.43
Corona Bali Protected Men’s Round 4 Matchups:
Heat 1: Jesse Mendes (BRA) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 2: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Heat 4: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Corona Bali Protected Women’s Round 3 Matchups:
Heat 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
Heat 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
