The UGG Men’s Longboard Pro and UGG Women’s Longboard Pro continued today at Boardmasters as smaller conditions kept the QS divisions out of the water. Surfers took on the one-to-two foot cleaner surf and completed several rounds to decide the events’ finals, set to be held on Sunday.
Aping Agudo. Pic: Masurel/WSL
The two strongest surfers in the quarters Justine Dupont (FRA) and Aping Agudo (PHL) met in the semis just as the swell started to pulse. Both surfers put on a great show and for the majority of the heat the reigning European Champion Dupont was in the lead.
It was a great opposition of regular foot vs. goofy in the rights and lefts of North Fistral and as rain showers stopped for a bit, more and more people got closer to the water’s edge to catch all the action.
In the last five minutes, a split-peak resulted in both surfers paddling back out to the lineup at the same time. When the next set wave came in, evidently the priority situation wasn’t clear for the French surfer and she received an interference. Filipino surfer Agudo’s advanced into the Final.
“I like small waves so that was great for me today,” Agudo said. “I surf a lot of similar conditions at home so I felt great. I’ve been coming here for six years now but it’s the first time I compete in the event so I’m very happy to win heats. I managed to find some sections for hang fives and tens and I had a lot of fun!”
In the second semifinal, Italia’s Francesca Rubegni took on French rookie Zoe Grospiron (FRA). The Italian found cleaner and longer rides and eventually took out the qualifying spot for her first ever Final.
“It’s my first final ever at a WSL event so I’m stoked!” Rubegni said. “The strong wind and rain made it very difficult out there but thankfully I found a few fun little waves. Conditions are completely different to what I’m used to at home but I managed to adapt. It would be a dream-come-true to qualify for the World Longboard Championship!”
Ben Howey, Pic: Masurel/WSL
The men’s semis started on the higher tide and offered great little waves for Edouard Delpero(FRA) and Ben Howey (GBR) in the first heat. By reaching the semis, Edouard overtook his older brother Antoine in the European rankings and could secure a second regional title comes finals day.
In their Semifinal, the Frenchman found longer rides and perfectly navigated the sections to score lengthy hang-fives and tens. Howey’s performance was by no means a let down, the British surfer collecting two 7+ rides for his nose rides and stylish turns, but Delpero with a 17.23 total moved on to the Final.
“I’m stoked to make the final, it’s going to be epic!” Delpero stated. “It definitely wasn’t easy and I’m hoping conditions are a bit better for the finals tomorrow. I really want to win another European title, so bring it on!”
Adam Griffiths, Pic: Masurel/WSL
The second semi was a battle of epic proportions between good friends Ben Skinner and Adam Griffiths. Griffiths found an excellent 8.50 right away and lead the next fifteen minutes of the heat, but Skinner clicked into gear around the ten-minute mark and managed to take the lead back.
As time ran out, Griffiths’ repeated efforts kept coming short of the required 7.26 and Newquay’s favorite, Skinner will join Delpero in the Final. The last heat will be a showdown for the 2018 European Longboard title as both surfers can clinch it with a victory at Boardmasters.
“It’s a dream finish for the tour,” Skinner said. “Both Edouard and I have a shot now and it’s going to come down to the best man in the final! I’m beyond excited to be a part of it, what a great European tour it’s been. Adam is one of my best mates, and he made my job difficult. But I knew what waves I wanted to get and I just kept my calm.”
Ben Skinner, Pic: Masurel/WSL
Griffiths scored the event’s highest single score of 9.33 earlier in the day and walked away with an equal third in his only event of the season on the regional tour.
“I think it was just North Fistral my local spot sent me that one great wave,” he said. “It allowed me to get a nose ride on the take off and fit a few turns in the pocket. I’ve been really busy with work and with the good ranking I had in the World Championship last year I didn’t need to re-qualify so I chose not to surf too many events this year.”
The Quiksilver Open will resume early Sunday morning with a 7:30 a.m call, the Roxy Open with a call at 9 a.m and longboarders finalists will come in the afternoon with a 2 p.m call.
Emily Currie, copped a weever sting 4 mins in to her quarter final but surfed on for 21 minutes. Epic work Pic: Masurel/WSL
UPCOMING UGG MEN’S LONGBOARD PRO FINAL MATCHUP:
Final: Edouard Delpero (FRA) vs. Ben Skinner (GBR)
UGG MEN’S LONGBOARD PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 17.23 def. Ben Howey (GBR) 14.46
SF 2: Ben Skinner (GBR) 15.76 def. Adam Griffiths (GBR) 15.20
UGG MEN’S LONGBOARD PRO QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 15.83 def. Federico Nesti (ITA) 6.67
QF 2: Ben Howey (GBR) 14.73 def. Emilien Fleury (FRA) 11.06
QF 3: Adam Griffiths (GBR) 16.33 def. Elliot Dudley (GBR) 14.66
QF 4: Ben Skinner (GBR) 14.50 def. Jack Unsworth (GBR) 11.27
UGG MEN’S LONGBOARD PRO ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Edouard Delpero (FRA) 14.17, Emilien Fleury (FRA) 11.76, Robert Storm (DNK) 7.70, Jordan Zervas (GBR) 6.60
Heat 2: Ben Howey (GBR) 14.04, Federico Nesti (ITA) 9.90, Edward Wilson (GBR) 9.00, Evan Rogers (GBR) 8.86
Heat 3: Elliot Dudley (GBR) 14.30, Jack Unsworth (GBR) 13.16, Joe Hornbuckle (GBR) 11.90, Barnaby Innes (GBR) 6.56
Heat 4: Ben Skinner (GBR) 13.34, Adam Griffiths (GBR) 10.40, Benoit Carpentier (FRA) 6.64, Robin Henry (FRA) 5.36
UPCOMING UGG WOMEN’S LONGBOARD PRO FINAL MATCHUP:
Final: Aping Agudo (PHL) vs. Francesca Rubegni (ITA)
UGG WOMEN’S LONGBOARD PRO SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Aping Agudo (PHL) 10.17 def. Justine Dupont (FRA) 7.33
SF 2: Francesca Rubegni (ITA) 8.83 def. Zoe Grospiron (FRA) 3.30
Boardmasters continued today in two-to-three foot surf and a wind-affected lineup. Men and women of both the QS and longboard divisions took it to the water and made the most of the conditions on offer as competition winds down towards the man-on-man final battles.
Louis Thomas Hudson and the arvo scene once the morning showers had stopped. Pic: Masurel/WSL
In the Quiksilver Open, Daiki Tanaka (JPN) crushed the competition in Round Three, finding two excellent scores to post the highest heat total of the event so far, an impressive 16.24. The Japanese regular foot managed to fit multiple vertical turns, going lightning fast in the mushy surf. He’ll be looking to advance past the next round to improve on his equal 13th best finish in Newquay.
“My board felt great and I found some super fun waves,” Tanaka stated. “It’s my third year coming here and I really enjoy it. I’m traveling with a couple of friends and we usually try to go check out the festival too when we’re out of the event, so hopefully not before Sunday!”
Luke Dillon Pic: Masurel/WSL
Newquay’s Luke Dillon (GBR) advanced into Round Four as well, Jay Quinn (GBR) continued to dominate and Pedro Coelho (PRT) was the surprise second biggest scorer of the Round.
In the Roxy Open, Justine Dupont (FRA) was once again the strongest surfer in the water, closely followed by Rachel Presti (USA), Vahine Fierro (PYF) and Juliette Lacome (FRA).
Ellie Turner powering into the quarters. Pic: Masurel/WSL
Junior surfer Ellie Turner (GBR) scraped through a slow scoring matchup at low tide and managed to advance into the Quarters where she’ll carry the British hopes. The Bude local is continuously improving and starting to challenge the best European juniors for the top spots.
“It’s always nice to be surfing here and being able to go home after a day competing,” Turner said. “It was actually quite fun, there some good sections out there, they’re hard to find but they’re out there! I feel quite good about my surfing at the moment so I’m hoping I can make a few more heats here.”
With the top seeds only entering in Round Two of the UGG Men’s Longboard Pro, the first four heats gave us a glimpse at the local hopefuls, new and former competitors, coming to rub elbows and challenge the best European surfers.
Elliot Dudley back in the game and looking solid. Pic: Masurel/WSL
Elliot Dudley (GBR) posted the round’s best scores and showcased his flow and nose ride skills at high tide. The Welsh surfer, a former amateur European champion, gracefully navigated his 9’8 single-fin along the rights and lefts of Fistral. In the next round, he’ll be sharing the lineup with other Brits, including current rankings No. 4 Jack Unsworth (GBR).
“I used to come here a lot when I was younger, but I haven’t competed for probably about ten years,” Dudley said. “I really wanted to see everyone and see if I could still surf well against the guys. I’m trying to concentrate on flow and glide and I guess my board allows that, especially in these sort of conditions that are not perfect.”
2018 European Longboard Champion Justine Dupont (FRA) unsurprisingly took out the opening heat of the UGG Women’s Longboard Pro. NienkeDuinmeijer (NLD), currently second on the regional rankings posted the second highest single score of the round and advanced into the Quarters as well.
“I haven’t really surfed a longboard since the event in Biarritz and it took me a while to get my footing back,” Dupont explained. “But I’m very happy to win heats, especially in those difficult conditions. I have great boards and that definitely helps a lot. I hope I can keep going like that and the vibe here is really cool as always.”
Longboarders will be back early Saturday for the 8 a.m call while QS surfers will be back at 10 a.m.
Boardmasters are scheduled from August 8-12, 2018 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Pro surfing continued to take center stage at Boardmasters with a second day of Qualifying Series action at North Fistral. The day started with Round two of the Quiksilver Open this morning in wind-affected two-to-three foot surf.
Newquay resident via NZ Jay Quinn killed it this morning. Pic: Masurel/WSL
Long time competitor Jay Quinn (GBR) came out of competitive retirement for the event on his adopted home ground and posted a 7.33, the highest single score of the men’s event today. Navigating seasons between his native country of New Zealand and Newquay, the Kiwi surfer clearly hasn’t lost an inch of the talent that led to the QS Top 40 a few years ago.
“I was a little bit rusty there but I got a quick start so that was good!” Quinn stated. “I’ve competed since I was 17 and now this is my only event of the year, but being based here I really like to participate each year, it’s a lot of fun. Cornwall is a great place to live, August is chaos obviously but the rest of the time it’s really peaceful and there are a ton of great waves.”
Canada’s Kalum Bruhwiler Temple got one of the best scores of the round as well, a 7.17 to claim the win in Heat 14 and advance into Round Three. Hailing from the West coast area of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Bruhwiler Temple is in his first season on the QS and should start to get noticed with the caliber of surfing he’s been displaying so far.
“I’m really excited to be over here, the waves have been really fun!” Bruhwiler Temple said. “I live in a place that’s super consistent, you can surf every day of the year and if you have a boat you can find really world class surf. Being here is one of the few times I get to wear some thinner neoprene so it feels really nice. My goal is to gain experience, get better at competing and hopefully get a better ranking to enter the bigger events.”
Traveling with fellow Canadian Hanna Scott in Europe, the pair is out to showcase the talent pool coming from their country.
“My best score was a bigger set wave and I got a good opportunity for an air so I just went for it,” he continued. “I managed to land it so it felt great, it was a simple forehand rotation, no grab, but the section was perfect and I landed it pretty clean. There’s a bunch of really good surfers at home and some are starting to surf in the QS events, so hopefully you’ll hear more from us.”
In the Roxy Open‘s Round Two, the top seeded surfers took center stage at Fistral as the tide came up high and the public sat much closer to the action. Longboarding’s defending champion and former Championship Tour surfer Justine Dupont (FRA), opened her Boardmasters account with an excellent display to rack up an impressive 14.67 and move on to Round three.
“Waves were a bit tricky, it changes really quick with the huge tides but I managed to stay active and find a couple decent ones,” Dupont said. “I got a little lucky with my best wave as it kept reforming and offering more sections. We’re probably going to have similar conditions for the longboard and I’ll try my best to adapt. I got a 1st and 2nd in an event in Portugal earlier this year, so the goal is at least as well or hopefully better!”
Heat 3 was a super fun back-and-forth battle between two generations of junior talents, the current European No. 10 Juliette Lacome (FRA) and a former European Junior Champion Cannelle Bulard (REU). Both surfers fought it out all the way to the buzzer, ending up only .04 apart, Lacome taking pole position.
Round Three was tragic for the home crowd with only a single English athlete managing to advance. Ellie Turner (GBR) will be carrying the locals’ hopes for a women’s title at Boardmasters.
The reigning World Junior Champion Vahine Fierro (PYF) took an easy win in the final heat of the day. Quarterfinalist here in 2017, Fierro could be the biggest threat to Dupont’s goal as the two sit on opposite sides of the draw.
“Conditions were a bi tough but I managed to get into a little rhythm and found a couple,” Fierro stated. “I really love coming to England, there’s a lot of nature around and it reminds me a bit of home. I’m here with the Roxy crew and we’re having a lot of fun. This year has been tough for me on the QS so I just want to make heats and get a few points to turn it around, but I’m not too stressed about it.”
Eveline Hooft out of Holland hoofing one at Fisty. Pic: Masurel/WSL
Surfers in the men’s QS will once again be on call at 8 a.m Friday morning, while the women’s QS will come in at 10:30 a.m and longboarders in the UGG Men’s Longboard Pro and UGG Women’s Longboard Proat 11 a.m.
Boardmasters are scheduled from August 8-12, 2018 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
Boardmasters are supported by Corona, Relentless, Cornish Orchards, Quiksilver, Roxy, Ocean Florida, Canna, All Out Beauty, Coca-Cola, Tarquins, Havaianas, Samsung, G-Shock, Malibu, Kraken, House of Marley, Monster, UGG, Voxi, Carve Surfing Magazine, Surfgirl, Radio X and DJ Mag among others, with MagicSeaWeed.com as official forecaster.
Fistral was busy AF. Pic: Masurel/WSL
UPCOMING QUIKSILVER OPEN ROUND 3 MATCHUPS:
Heat 1: Jobe Harriss (GBR), Arran Strong (GBR), Leon Glatzer (DEU), Ian Fontaine (FRA)
Heat 2: Pedro Neves (BRA), Joshua Braddock (GBR), Jake Elkington (ZAF), Daiki Tanaka (JPN)
Heat 3: Reubyn Ash (GBR), Miles Lee-Hargreaves (GBR), Luke Dillon (GBR), Alonso Correa (PER)
Heat 4: Luis Diaz (CNY), Enzo Cavallini (FRA), Arne Bergwinkl (DEU), Jay Quinn (GBR)
Heat 5: Angelo Bonomelli (ITA), Pedro Coelho (PRT), Samson Coulter (AUS), Joss Ash (GBR)
Heat 6: Andy Criere (ESP), Roberto Araki (CHL), Luke Hynd (AUS), Lens Arancibia Avila (FRA)
Heat 7: Jose Gundesen (ARG), Kalum Bruhwiler Temple (CAN), Jarred Veldhuis (ZAF), Stanley Norman (GBR)
Heat 8: Ben Penny (AUS), Naru Awada (JPN), Herbert Moreno (BRA), Titouan Canevet (FRA)
Here we go again! The annual festival of surfing, music and good times has began down here in Cornwall. There were waves, thank flip, the long range forecast a week or so ago was distinctly not good so everyone's frothing it's come right and there'll be waves every comp day until it wraps on Sunday. The weekend should be pretty spicy n'all. Today saw a host of familiar faces go through and some of our juniors do well. The fierce battles start tomorrow when Rd2 continues for the men, and the ladies main Roxy event kicks off. The longboarding will begin, with all eyes on the European title race, on Friday. So there's heaps to come and once Mr B finishes sweating bullets in his editing cave we'll fire up the video round up from day 1 ASAP.
As for us, are we partying? Nope. Not after 12 hours on the beach today mainly being told how awesome the Maldives event that the boss, Steve England, is attending looks.
Noah Biersack by Jason Feast
--WSL PRESS RELEASE--
The Quiksilver and Roxy Open launched the World Surf League QS action today at Boardmasters in windy three-to-five foot surf at the iconic Fistral beach in Cornwall.
Surfers took on the playful peaks early this morning and competed all day to complete the men and women’s opening rounds, as well as four heats of the men’s Round Two under bright sunny Cornish skies.
Local pro Alan Stokes (GBR) was the first to find a wave with big scoring potential at low tide. The regular foot took apart a good sized right-hander for a 7.17, the highest single score of Round One. A multiple British champion, Stokes regularly makes an appearance on the WSL tour when the QS comes to his local break.
“We haven’t had swell here for a month so I’m happy it came up for the event, it’s head-high with lots of power and sections, it was fun!” Stokes stated. “I know the wave and how tricky it can be so that certainly gives me an advantage. I launched a new surfboard brand so that kept me busy and out of the events but it’s good to be in the jersey again and win a heat.”
Stoker by Masurel/WSL
Unfortunately Stokes couldn’t quite match the competition savvy of his adversaries in Round Two and bowed out much too early for the local fans.
A strong Brasilian contingent competed in the opening round, led by Maracaipe’s Jose Silva(BRA), who belted the opening round’s biggest combined heat total of 13.50. In his second event only, Silva posted an impressive win to advance into Round Two and will look to keep his form going into the rest of the event.
“I’ve been surfing for a long time but am only starting to compete really,” Silva said. “Conditions were fun today, a bit mushy and disorganized but there were some good waves in there. I’m going to do three or four events in Europe this summer and the goal is obviously to go as far as I can!”
Pedro Nogueira (BRA) and Christopher Holler (DNK) enjoyed an early man-on-man battle as two other surfers failed to show up for their heat. Nogueira dominated the exchange with solid surfing on the longer rights and lefts at high-tide to post two good scores and advance into Round Two.
“The wind was really good for airs so I was super happy to be able to try a couple and land a good one,” Nogueira said. “I’m excited for tomorrow and can’t wait to surf again. Only two guys out is pretty rare in the early rounds so I tried to really enjoy my time out there. It’s my first time here and I’m loving it so far, we have a good crew staying together and it’s been fun!”
Last year’s semifinalist Jobe Harriss (GBR) stepped things up in the first heat of Round Two and showed he’s lost nothing of his amazing form from 2017. With an 8.33 highest wave and a 15.10 total, Harriss’ numbers spoke for themselves as the surfer from Bude easily advanced into Round Three.
“I don’t really compete that much anymore, competitive surfing is not my main focus so I feel really relaxed out there and I guess it’s working out for me,” Harriss said. “I’ve got many things to keep myself busy, I’m working on building sites, lifeguarding, I even grow vegetables for a living as well, but thankfully I still get a bit of time in the water.”
The Roxy Open completed the only heat of Round One with three surfers late this afternoon, preparing for a full round of action tomorrow when the event resumes.
Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Mick Fanning (AUS) celebrate their placings in the final of the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final at Bells Beach, VIC, Australia. Ferreira defeated the 3X World Champion and 4X past event winner Mick Fanning (AUS) who now heads into retirement.
Today, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Stop No. 2 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), after an exciting week of competitive drama, upsets and emotion. The final day of competition ran in clean, five-to-seven foot (1.4 – 2.2 metre) waves at the iconic Bells Beach for its 57th year.
In addition to Gilmore and Ferreira celebrating their wins, three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) celebrated the last Championship Tour event of his competitive career. The four-time Bells winner now says goodbye to elite competition after 17 years on Tour and 22 CT victories. The Australian hero’s story comes full circle as he ends his career in the Finals at the same event where he first won as a wildcard back in 2001.
Mick Fanning of Australia placed second in the final of the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 2018.
“Today was really special,” Fanning said. “I always said I wanted to finish the year up here at Bells. Thanks so much to everyone. It has been incredible to see all the support in Torquay and the support of the fans.This is my 20th year of coming down to Bells Beach. I just want to thank my family for all the support you’ve shown over these years. Thank you to my friends that have flown down and making this so memorable. It’s been an amazing career, and I want to thank everyone. “
Mick Fanning of Australia placed second in the final of the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 2018.
“It was a very special moment with the crowd, best friends here, and then to just be in the Final with Italo (Ferreira) and to see how much it meant for him actually made me feel a lot better,” continued Fanning. “To all the people surfing in this event, it was so much fun. Seabass (Sebastian Zietz), Paddy Gudang (Patrick Gudauskas), Wilko (Matt Wilkinson), Owen (Wright) — every time I paddled out, I felt like I was going surfing with a mate, and that was really special. To see in that Final just how much it meant to Italo, that was one of greatest things I’ve seen at Bells, so well done Italo. I am really stoked for you.”
3X World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) heads into retirement from Championship Tour compeition after placing second in the final of the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach at Bells Beach, VIC, Australia.
Ferreira played spoiler today for Fanning’s fairytale finish with the first CT win of his career. The 23-year-old was unstoppable throughout the entire event, taking down 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Semifinals, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) in the Quarterfinals, and Filipe Toledo (BRA) in Round 3.
“I can’t believe it,” said Ferreira. “That was such a sick heat. I started slow, but after that it was amazing. Mick (Fanning) is one of my favorite surfers in the world. But wow, I can’t believe it. That was unbelievable. I just want to say thank you God and my family and my girlfriend and every guy that has supported me. I’m just so happy that this is my job. I just wanted to make some sick heats. Mick Fanning, he is one of my favorites, he is my hero. Mick is the best competitor, and I just want to say thanks to Mick.”
Italo Ferreira of Brazil won the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 2018.
Ferreira’s breakthrough result now vaults him to World No. 1 where he ties with Julian Wilson (AUS) and shares the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey heading into the Margaret River Pro.
Italo Ferreira of Brazil won the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 2018.
“It’s my first win, so I am so happy,” Ferreira continued. “I’ve been working hard over the last few years. I remember my first Final with Filipe (Toledo) in Portugal and it was so close, and now I got it. Last year was hard to me with my injury after the Gold Coast being out for two months. It was terrible, and I just tried to work hard and get better. This is the best feeling.”
Stephanie Gilmore of Australia won the Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 2018.
“It was such an emotional buildup to this moment and it is incredible,” said Gilmore. “I feel like all the focus is on Mick (Fanning), so it doesn’t really matter what happens with the rest of the event — it was like I could sneak in and get a little ding ding and no one would even care, so it took the pressure off. The most stressful moments of my heats were right when Mick was paddling out for his heat, and it eased the pressure seeing how calm and relaxed he was despite all the pressure on him.”
Gilmore’s 27th CT win did not come easy as Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) battled until the final buzzer. The hard-fought Final ended with Weston-Webb falling just 0.23 points short of the required score. In her 12 years of competing at Bells, Gilmore has dominated every appearance, with a fifth-place finish being her worst result. The Australian Champion now puts herself in a great position to hunt down her seventh World Title in the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey.
6X World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) is now a 4X Rip Curl Bells Beach winner after winning the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final at Bells Beach, VIC, Australia.
Six-time WSL Champion Gilmore earned the right to ring the coveted Bells trophy with her victory in the Rip Curl Women’s Pro. With today’s win, Gilmore joins the likes of Kelly Slater, Mark Richards and Fanning as a four-time Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach winner, a testament to her strength and style in the water.
“Tatiana (Weston-Webb) has been on fire this whole event,” continued Gilmore. “All the goofy-footers have been — I can’t believe it. You never really think about the goofies, but with Tatiana, you can tell that she has found her confidence and her strength. It’s so impressive to have her step up.”
Weston-Webb, 21, was the surfer to beat at Bells. She posted the highest scores throughout the event, including a near-perfect 9.23 in Round 2. Her vertical, backhand surfing looked to be invincible, but unfortunately, she could not overtake the 30-year-old veteran. Weston-Webb’s second-place finish moves her up to 5th place on the Jeep Leaderboard, tied with Keely Andrew (AUS).
“Even though I didn’t come away with the win this just feels amazing,” Weston-Webb said. “I love coming to Bells Beach and all of the crowd support is amazing here. I’d like to thank all of the fans that come down so early in the cold. I feel really good, and my boards are amazing. Now the confidence levels are up, and the sky’s the limit. I’m extra proud to be a goofy-foot, especially because Italo (Ferreira) brought one home for us, so thanks Italo. Goofy-footers have definitely had a rough time here at Bells, but I almost got it. Maybe next year.”
2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was eliminated by compatriot Ferreira in the second men’s Semifinal. The two Brazilian superstars unleashed radical maneuvers, but Medina could not overcome Ferreira’s heat score of a 16.00. The third place result is Medina’s best finish at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. He now moves up six places to 7th on the Jeep Rankings.
Patrick Gudauskas (USA) fell to event favorite Fanning in Semifinal 1. The Californian was unable to combat Fanning’s two excellent 8-point rides and exits in Equal 3rd in his first year back on the CT since 2013. This is the 32-year-old’s best result at Bells. Previously, Gudauskas eliminated Michel Bourez (PYF) in the first Quarterfinal.
In only the second event of her rookie year, 16-year-old Caroline Marks (USA) is making a name for herself with stunning results on the elite tour. Marks exits with an incredible 3rd place result after losing to eventual winner Gilmore in the Semifinals. Marks is the youngest surfer to ever qualify for the elite CT and now rockets up to 3rd on the Jeep Leaderboard. Not only is the young competitor ousting World Title contenders in her rookie debut, but she is also making a run for her own World Title in her freshman year on Tour.
En route to her runner-up finish, Weston-Webb dispatched 2009 event winner Silvana Lima (BRA) in the first Semifinal. Despite Lima’s loss today, she was a standout throughout the event with major wins over three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS), and will be rewarded with an eight-spot jump up the rankings to 5th.
The world’s best surfers will now prepare for the Stop No. 3 the 2018 WSL CT and the final event of the Australian leg, the Margaret River Pro, which holds a competitive window from April 11 – 22, 2018.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results:
1 –Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.66 2 – Mick Fanning (AUS) 12.83
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Mick Fanning (AUS) 16.50 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.67 SF 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.00 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.10
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) and Stephanie Gilmore )AUS) celebrate their placings in the final of the 2018 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final at Bells Beach, VIC, Australia. Weston-Webb placed second with Gilmore taking the victory.
After months of speculation the bods at the ISA have delivered the news on how getting to the Olympics in Japan is going to work in surfing. The short version is 20 guys, 20 gals, max 2 per gender per nation, with priority to WSL riders. For the non-surfing super powers the ISA World Games are the gateway to Olympic glory. The host nation gets a spot so there are 19 places up for grabs. So if we understand this correctly the guys from the smaller nations on the WCT have it all to play for. As the US/Oz/Brazilian superpowers will predictably use their allocations from the CT.
A CT example being: USA: John John and maybe a young buck like Griffin Colapinto, doubtful Kelly will hold out long enough. Brazil: Medina and Filipe, pretty lethal combo and Yago, Italo and more nipping at their heels. Australia: Owen Wright and Julian Wilson and there’s plenty of depth in the ranks with Wilko and new blood like Mikey Wright. France: Bourez and Flores, Joan Duru as sub SouthAfrica: Jordy is arguably a dead cert at this stage.
Then the last spot could be a bun fight between: Japan: Kanoa Igarashi Portugal: Frederico Morais Italy: Leo Fioarvanti
So you can see how the smaller nations on the CT will be scrapping for that spot on the 2019 tour. Huge profile boost to be an Olympian.
For the rest of the world these will be the keenest fought and highest level attended ISA World Games ever. Expect ex-CT guys from all nations to be in attendance. Make the finals and you’re in the Olympics … and there’s a lot of talented riders from a lot of countries, it’s going to be fierce. Wouldn’t want to be the judges making the calls in those events. Good luck one and all.
The key elements of the qualification system are as follows:
20 men, 20 women.
Maximum of 2 surfers per gender per National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Qualification spots will be earned on an individual basis, by name.
In accordance with IOC guidelines, the qualification events have been determined in hierarchical order of qualification, as further explained below; If two surfers of a gender have qualified through the first hierarchical order, that NOC will not be able to qualify more surfers of that gender through qualifying events lower in hierarchical order.
All surfers selected by their respective National Federations for their national teams must participate in 2019 and 2020 ISA World Surfing Games in order to be eligible for Olympic qualification. The final details of the eligibility requirements are still under review by the ISA and the IOC.
The hierarchical order of qualification will be as follows:
2019 World Surf League Championship Tour: First 10 eligible men and first 8 eligible women.
2020 ISA World Surfing Games: First 4 eligible men and first 6 eligible women.
2019 ISA World Surfing Games: 4 men and 4 women selected based on their continent. Top finishing eligible surfer of each gender from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
2019 Pan American Games: First eligible man and first eligible woman in the surfing competitions.
Host nation slot: One man and one woman slot will be guaranteed for the host nation of Japan, unless already filled through the above hierarchies. Should athletes from Japan qualify regularly, their slots will be reallocated to the highest ranked eligible surfers from the 2020 World Surfing Games.
