The first stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, witnessed an incredible start to the season as Lakey Peterson (USA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) claimed victory today in extraordinary conditions at Kirra on the Gold Coast of Australia.
The finalists of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros, Gold Coast, 2018.
Unpredictable performances and massive upsets shocked surfing’s biggest stage at this year’s season opener to remind the world that anything can happen on the Championship Tour. In addition to Peterson and Wilson taking the wins today, a new generation of surfers stepped up to showcase their progression, determination, and potential.
Lakey Peterson.
Peterson blitzed through the competition with the goal to surpass her 2017 Roxy Pro runner-up finish. The Californian was unstoppable as she took down two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals, Malia Manuel (HAW) in the Semifinals, and Keely Andrew (AUS) in the Final.
“I don’t even know what to say to say — there is too much emotion,” Peterson said. “I feel like I’ve been working for seven years to get another win. Just to finally have it, it’s super surreal, and I’m so grateful. It beats you down if you don’t ever win something. It’s been a while, so the hard work pays off. I just got such a great support crew. It’s so awesome. Mike [Parsons] and I have literally been working together forever and that win means so much to the both of us.”
Peterson is one of the most consistent high-scoring surfers on Tour and continues to push performance boundaries in the competitive space. The intensity and innovation brought by Peterson are now paying off with her first CT win since 2012. Last season, the Californian had previously earned runner-up finishes at this event and in France but now overtakes Wright for the top spot on the Jeep Leaderboard.
“I’m going to hold onto that Jeep yellow jersey until the very last event,” continued Peterson. “My goal is to stay steady the whole year and just believe in myself and enjoy the ride. I feel like I’m finally comfortable with my life and with my surfing where I just really want to enjoy it. Thanks to the WSL for giving us such great conditions today, and pushing us and really helping us elevate our level. It’s just such a fun time to be a part of it all, and I just feel humbled and blessed to be here doing what I love.”
Peterson dominated the Final from the get-go, posting an excellent 8.00 point ride for a long barrel ride. She then backed it up immediately with a 7.67, leaving Andrew in a combination situation (needing two scores). Andrew was unable to find a wave of substance, which left Peterson to take the first event win of 2018.
Sally Fitzgibbons.
Previously, Andrew took down Australian superstar Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) in the Semifinals and six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. The runner-up result for Andrew is the second Finals appearance of her career. Andrew, who powerfully charged into the new season, will look to continue to climb the rankings and earn her first CT victory. The 23-year-old Australian will now vault from 11th to 2nd on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Julian Wilson taking it it to the bank.
Wilson has had a rollercoaster start to his season after injuring his shoulder in late January, then welcoming his child into the world with his wife, Ashley, last week. The Sunshine Coast local was unsure if he would compete at this event but surprised all with the first win of the season and the fourth CT win of his career.
“This is a childhood dream come true to come down from the Sunshine Coast and win the Quiksilver Pro,” Wilson said. “This is the closest event to home for me and watching guys win this event when I was younger is what lit the fire for me to want to be on Tour, so to win, is very special. I learned a lot about myself at this event, and through this injury, and the birth of my baby girl, Olivia, and my wife, Ashley. Honestly, watching the birth of my first child gave me an unbelievable strength to just suck up the pain in my shoulder, and come down here, and do what I needed to do. My wife has been a huge inspiration through the whole experience, so I want to thank Ashley for that.”
Wilson has always been in the World Title conversation, but this win provides the 29-year-old with his best ever start to his Title campaign. Wilson will sport the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey heading into the next stop on the CT, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach competition, which starts March 28 and runs through April 8, 2018.
“I’m happy to have a better result in Australia than I did after all three events in Australia last year,” continued Wilson. “There’s a massive positive in that. I’m looking forward to Bells, to compete again and work off this injury.”
The intense men’s Final saw the two Australians, Wilson and Adrian Buchan (AUS), punch wave-for-wave, fighting their way out of massive tubes for the win. Wilson kicked off the heat with a fiery start, a near-perfect 9.93, by coming out of a huge barrel. Wilson and Buchan continued to charge the Kirra sets, resulting in a close race for first. Buchan attacked back with a 6.50 and an 8.60 but was unable to overtake his compatriot.
Having won two CT events in his career, Buchan is no stranger to the pressure on the big stage. The technically-gifted, rail-surfer moved through the field with precision, even on the final day, where the hollow Kirra waves would put most goofy-footers at a disadvantage. In the end, Buchan was up against the ropes with a rampaging Wilson running away with the lead, but he admitted that he was happy to finish second to his close friend.
“Obviously you want to win events, but I’m so happy to see Julian [Wilson] take this one out,” Buchan said. “I know he’s had so much to deal with recently with his injury and becoming a father, so this win would feel so amazing for him. Sharing pumping Kirra with one other person out — who happens to be your mate — is incredible. I don’t think you could ask for anything better than that.”
Griffin Colapinto (USA), the standout rookie from San Clemente California, amazed the world today with the first Perfect 10 of the 2018 CT season. Colapinto miraculously made his way out of three deep barrels in one wave to set the bar for the new season.
“I’ve never had three barrels on one wave so it felt amazing, particularly in a heat,” Colapinto said. “I think it was the best wave of my life. I’m so happy to get third in my first event. I’m loving the CT and hope I won’t be going anywhere for a very long time. I’m loving it here in Australia, the people on the Gold Coast are the best.”
The 19-year-old has been outshining surfing’s veterans in the first event of his rookie season, including his wins over Joel Parkinson (AUS), the 2012 WSL Champion and Gold Coast favorite, and veteran Michel Bourez (PYF). Unfortunately, Colapinto was unable to advance out of his Semifinal matchup against Wilson but will still exit as the rising-star of the event. All eyes will be on the young challenger this season to see how far he will push professional surfing in his rookie year.
Owen Wright (AUS), 2017 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, was stopped in the first Quarterfinal by Buchan after struggling to find a rhythm at Kirra. Wright will exit with a 5th place result, moving to 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Earlier today, rookie Tomas Hermes (BRA) delivered another shock to the first event of the year by eliminating Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Quarterfinals. Toledo’s result will boost him from 10th to equal 5th on the Jeep Leaderboard. Hermes’ Semifinal result blasts him up to 3rd on the rankings and well in the 2018 Rookie of the Year race.
The world’s best surfers will now head to Bells Beach for the Rip Curl Pro, Stop No. 2 on the WSL Championship Tour, starting March 28 through April 8, 2018.
Keely Andrew.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 – Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.43 2 – Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.10
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.00 def. Tomas Hermes (BRA) 9.17 SF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.77 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.66
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.50 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 2.50 QF 2: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 8.73 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 7.33 QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.44 def. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 10.00 QF 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.43 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.44
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Results:
1 – Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.67 2 – Keely Andrew (AUS) 5.67
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.00 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.33 Heat 2: Keely Andrew (AUS) 7.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.77
2018 WSL Men’s CT Jeep Leaderboard (After Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast):
1 –Julian Wilson (AUS) 10,000 pts 2 – Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7,800 pts 3 – Griffin Colapinto (USA) 6,085 pts 3 – Tomas Hermes (BRA) 6,085 pts
Rookie Griffin Colapinto is in the quarters, not bad for his first event as a CT dude.
The drama and tension continue to build at the first stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Today was an unnerving day in men’s elimination Rounds 3 and 4 as upsets continued in the four-to-five foot (1.2 – 1.5 metre) conditions at Snapper Rocks.
Event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS) continued to turn the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast upside down with another massive win today over Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion and 2014 event winner. Just yesterday, Wright upset the competition with his win over current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) and today he continued his tear by taking down the current World No. 2. The Australian has made his competitive intentions clear this week and will be talked about as the competition’s celebrated darkhorse.
“I’m not too stressed out about these big names,” said Wright. “I just surf every heat the same and keep to my game plan. I like to hang down on the beach with my dog and treat this event like a Qualifying Series contest. I’m not too into all of the attention and drama in the competitors’ area — I like to just do my own thing. It’s a great experience coming up against these big names, but I don’t let it get to me.”
Mikey Wright giant killing spree came to end in the new elimination Round 4.
Despite Wright’s success in the early rounds, he was not able to escape the new Round 4 format, which now advances the top two finishers to the Quarterfinals and eliminates the third-place finisher in Equal 9th. Wright fell to challengers Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Adrian Buchan (AUS), who earned first and second in the heat, respectively.
Having finaled at Snapper Rocks twice, Toledo is always one to watch at the Quiksilver Pro. His electric blend of power and progression was on show as he wowed the crowds with the highest single-wave score of the event so far, a near-perfect 9.67 to progress into the Quarterfinals.
“The wind conditions did not make for the best air conditions, so I choose to stick to the face of the wave,” said Toledo. “I had the power and speed going into the 9.67 wave and was actually waiting for it to barrel, but it never did, so I figured I had to get creative with my maneuvers. I had a lot of fun this heat and took initiative on a lot of the waves, which really paid off.”
Defending event winner Owen Wright looks strong.
2017 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner Owen Wright (AUS) has booked himself a spot in the Quarterfinals at Snapper Rocks after an impressive display of surfing. First, he eliminated 2018 CT Rookie Willian Cardoso (BRA) in the opening heat of Round 3, then went on to post a 17.00 point heat total (out of a possible 20) in Round 4. It was a bittersweet victory for Wright as his good friend Mick Fanning (AUS) was eliminated in his last appearance at his hometown CT event.
“I did my first trip with Mick [Fanning] when I was 14,” Wright said. “He has been like a guardian angel to me through my head injury. He’s showed me a lot of guidance over the years and is definitely one of my heroes so to have the chance to surf heats with him is really nice. I’ve always wanted to finish at the top of the rankings. I’ve managed to stay up there — even if I’ve had a few injuries and setbacks over the years — but I’m feeling so good and healthy now and am building and building.”
Fellow CT veteran and 2012 WSL Champion, Joel Parkinson (AUS), was also eliminated from the draw. The Coolangatta local was dispatched by 2018 CT Rookie, Griffin Colapinto (USA), in Round 3 Heat 9. The 19-year-old rookie continued on to Round 4 where he edged out Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) by just 2.19 points. He progressed in second place behind Julian Wilson (AUS), who looks in great form despite a recent shoulder injury. Wilson will match-up with Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in the Quarterfinals, while Colapinto will face Michel Bourez (PYF).
Michel Bourez flying the flag for Europe, kind of, is still in the mix. If the comp moves to Kirra he’ll be lethal.
The final two Quarterfinalists were decided in a down-to-the-wire matchup between 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), and 2018 CT Rookie Rodrigues. While Bourez dominated the heat, the Brazilian duo of Rodrigues and De Souza battled it out for the second qualifying spot, which was eventually taken by the rookie Rodrigues. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day for Rodrigues, who earlier dispatched World Title contender Jordy Smith (ZAF).
“I have been sitting in Brazil thinking about this event a lot and trying to mentally prepare,” Rodrigues said. “I can’t really explain how stoked I am to be in the Quarterfinals in my first CT event. I have always dreamed of this and now it is happening. I’m doing this for my mother. She has always believed in me and been by my side so this is for her.”
The intense matchup between Brazilian superstars Toledo and Italo Ferreira (BRA) was a standout elimination heat today after both surfers attacked the Snapper Rocks lineup and exchanged multiple innovative maneuvers. The win eventually went to Toledo, who secured a marginal 0.9-point advantage over his compatriot.
Injury replacement Michael February (ZAF) moved into the Quiksilver Pro draw when 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) pulled out of the event due to an ongoing foot injury. February was eliminated by Wilson in Heat 7 of Round 3. The young South African looked right at home on the WSL Championship Tour earlier in the event when he eliminated former event champion Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Round 2 but now goes home from his first-ever CT event with an Equal 13th place finish.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:
Rising shorter period E swell today with good size surf for Thursday. Good size surf continues Friday but this is trending down into the weekend. Long range guidance points to more mid-size but shorter period ESE/SE swell around the last couple days of the event window.
Mick Fanning bowed in Round 4, now he can drink a few cold ones and enjoy the show before his final event at Bells.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 9.04 Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.67 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 7.37 Heat 3: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 12.40 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.60. Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.60 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.70 Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.36 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.10 Heat 6: Mikey Wright (AUS) 16.07 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.90 Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 7.30 def. Michael February (ZAF) 7.10 Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.26 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.10 Heat 9: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.50 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.94 Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.07 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 13.60 Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.50 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 6.43 Heat 12: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 15.00 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.40
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.00, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 11.20, Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.43 Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.70, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.60, Mikey Wright (AUS) 11.20 Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.97, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.83, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.67 Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.97, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 13.83, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.53
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Matchups:
QF 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) QF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA) QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) QF 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jordy Smith (ZAF) is eliminated from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast after placing second in Heat 12 of Round 3 at Snapper Rocks, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
Mikey February of South Africa got a start due to Kelly’s last minute pull out, made the most of it beating Wilko.
The 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) is showing no shortage of competitive drama this season as the upsets from the women’s event continued through the first eliminations of the men’s competition. The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the WSL CT, saw major surprises today in elimination Round 2 in three-to-four foot (1- 1.2 metre) conditions at the famed Snapper Rocks venue.
Further proving how unpredictable the 2018 season will be, a massive upset kicked off the first men’s elimination round of the year with current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) eliminated by event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS). Today was just another milestone reached for Wright in 2018 in addition to his recent success at the Australian Boardriders Battle Final and Newcastle Surfest Qualifying Series 6,000 event. The young competitor has made it clear that he will work hard to reach the elite CT and join his siblings, Tyler and Owen Wright, by continuing to prove himself in the Qualifying Series tour, the pathway where surfers earn their way to the top competition ranks.
“I’m so thankful to get this wildcard from Quiksilver and have the opportunity to come up against the world’s best,” Wright said. “Obviously, coming up against the World Champion is going to be tough but anyone on the CT is going to be really tough, so I just wanted to go out and surf my own heat and just work on getting the best waves. The waves are really fun so I can’t wait to get back out there and do what I love to do.”
Mikey Wright took out JJF…
Florence’s shocking loss is the first time since 1991 that the reigning men’s World Champion has been knocked out of Round 2 in the opening event of the season (Tom Curren won the Title in 1990 and was a no-show in the first half of the 1991 season). Florence will leave with his first 25th place finish in 25 events.
“Mikey [Wright] is such a great surfer and he really surfed well in that heat,” Florence said. “His wave choice was so good. Every time I would pull off a wave, he’d be right behind me on a bigger, better wall. You win some and lose some, and I’ll still take a lot from that heat and work on that heading into the next couple of events. Every event you go in you’re looking for the win, so a 25th is no worse than a 13th, anything but a win is all the same. I’m feeling really good this year. I just need to get back into that competitive mindset and focus on my wave choice and hopefully not get another last-place finish at Bells Beach.”
Leo Fioravanti of Italy couldn’t keep up the giant killing theme, losing to Gabe.
Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion and 2014 event winner, did not let himself fall into the upset conversation with his win over Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Round 2. The Brazilian unleashed his signature backhand surfing to secure his win with a 13.00 combined score (out of a possible 20).
Trials winner Fioravanti charged through the heat with big attempts but was not able to lock in the two-wave requirement to defeat the Brazilian superstar. After falling off the elite tour last year, Fioravanti leaves in 25th place and will head back to the Qualifying Series tour.
“The wildcards can be so dangerous as we just saw with Mikey [Wright] taking out John John [Florence] so I knew Leo [Fioravanti] was going to be hard,” Medina said. “It was really hard to find a good wave out there, but it looks like there are some good waves coming, so I’m stoked to get through. I’m feeling fit and my boards feel great, so I’m really excited to have the 2018 season underway.”
With the withdrawal of 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA), Michael February (ZAF)was given the opportunity of a lifetime to take his spot as an injury replacement. February took full advantage of his position and took down 2016 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event winner Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in a tight Round 2 matchup. After back-to-back finals at Snapper Rocks, Wilkinson was a clear favorite, but the powerful goofy-foot was unable to get into a rhythm, leaving February to take his first victory on the biggest stage in surfing.
“Kelly [Slater] messaged me to explain his situation, which was really cool to get his perspective and share mine with him,” February said. “It’s unfortunate for him to have to pull out, but I’m stoked to have the opportunity to surf in a Championship Tour event. The end of last year was so tough as I just missed out on qualification so to have a chance now feels amazing. It’s been a weird couple of days waiting to find out if I’d be in the event so it’s great to now be in and to win my first heat feels incredible.”
2012 WSL World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) found redemption in his Round 2 heat, posting the highest two-wave total of the event so far, an excellent 17.03. Parkinson’s local knowledge was evident as he escaped the biggest barrel of the day to dispatch of California’s Pat Gudauskas (USA) on his return to the CT. The two-time Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event winner also squashed any question of a looming retirement.
“It’s funny that after all these years the first elimination heat of the season always gets that nervous feeling going,” Parkinson said. “Motivation in competition is easy to find because surfing is something that I have always loved and that’s why we do what we do. I’m looking forward to doing this for the rest of this year and hopefully a few years to come.”
2016 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) will also advance through to Round 3 after eliminating compatriot Ian Gouveia (BRA) in Heat 4.
In his first Championship Tour event representing Japan, the last thing Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) wanted was an equal 25th finish, but this was a possibility before he came up against Keanu Asing (HAW) in Heat 8 of Round 2. Asing had a fair bit to prove also as he made his return to the CT after being relegated to the Qualifying Series in 2017. With conditions slowing at the bottom of the tide, the two traded average scores throughout the heat, but it was Igarashi who came out on top at the heat’s end.
Joan Duru
2018 CT Rookies Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Tomas Hermes (BRA), and Wade Carmichael (AUS) survived their first Round 2 elimination heats today after defeating Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Joan Duru (FRA), and Jesse Mendes (BRA), respectively.
Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. local time to make the next call.
Conner Coffin
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:
Mid period, mid-size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will fill in today. There is good confidence we will see NE to E swell Wed-Thu, easing slowly into and over the weekend as the swell direction shifts more ESE/SE. Long range guidance points to more mid-size ESE/SE swell around the last couple to few days of the event window.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Mikey Wright (AUS) 15.10 def. John John Florence (HAW) 10.76 Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.00 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 7.90 Heat 3: Michael February (ZAF) 11.03 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.97 Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.40 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.07 Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.03 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.67 Heat 6: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 14.67 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 10.80 Heat 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.16 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.90 Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.60 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 8.86 Heat 9: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 12.90 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.83 Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) 12.20 def. Yago Dora (BRA) 10.60 Heat 11: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 14.93 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 12.17 Heat 12: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.74 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.13
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Matchups:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA) Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA) Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA) Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA) Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS) Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS) Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Michael February (ZAF) Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA) Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS) Heat 11: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Michel Bourez (PYF) Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Matchups:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW) Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), continued today with the women’s Semifinalists decided in clean three-to-four foot (1 - 1.2 metre) waves. With the conditions holding up all day, event officials decided to run through Rounds 2, 3, and the Quarterfinals. Now only four surfers remain in contention for the 2018 Roxy Pro Gold Coast title.
Keely Andrew of Australia advanced into Round 3 after winning Heat 5 of Round 2 at the Roxy Pro, Gold Coast, 2018.
In what was undoubtedly the upset of the entire event, six-time Roxy Pro Gold Coast event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was taken down by fellow Queenslander Keely Andrew (AUS). Six-time WSL Champion Gilmore looked in good touch throughout the day but fell victim to a slow ocean in Quarterfinal 4 waiting with priority until the final minutes, only to find a midrange score. Needing to improve her situation in the dying seconds, Andrew took off on a smaller wave and got to work, tagging it all the way down the point to post a 6-point ride and progress into the Semifinals. Gilmore finishes her home event in a respectable Equal 5th position.
“I’m a bit shocked right now,” Andrew said. “Surfing out here against Steph [Gilmore] at her home break was incredible. The waves looked fun all day, but it slowed down a lot in our Quarterfinal. I was so nervous because she only needed a small score, and I only found out that I’d won when I got back to the surfer’s area. I’ve worked really hard in the offseason and it feels so good to know that the hard work has paid off.”
2017 Roxy Pro Gold Coast runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA) was in ominous form today. The Californian posted excellent scores all the way to the Quarterfinals where she eventually eliminated reigning WSL Champion and current World No. 1, Tyler Wright (AUS). Peterson’s trademark frontside arcs sent a shot over the bow of her fellow competitors as she hunts for her first CT Victory since 2012.
“It’s crazy -- it’s only two days into the season and I’m into the Semis,” Peterson said. “We’ve had perfect, quintessential Snapper today with long perfect waves and sunshine. Tyler [Wright] is a two-time World Champion for a reason and she’s someone I look up to, but I always feel like I surf my best against the best. The only option I had to beat her was for me to surf my best, so I couldn’t hold back. There was nothing I could do to change her surfing, so I just focused on mine and it worked out in the end.”
After an injury-plagued 2017 season, Hawaii’s Malia Manuel comes into 2018 with the aim of involving herself heavily in the World Title conversation from the start of the season. The stylish natural-footer has already achieved this with an amazing display at Snapper Rocks. Manuel’s best performance came in Quarterfinal 2 where she posted one of the highest heat totals of the event, a 15.83 (out of a possible 20), to overcome three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), who leaves in Equal 5th place.
“I’ve met Carissa [Moore] in the Quarters a couple of times here in the past and she’s beaten me every single time,” Manuel said. “I remember some of those matchups and they were a bit slow and hard to choose what waves to take, but today we had so many waves and this is exactly what you want from your first event of the year. This will be my first Semi at Snapper and it’s a great start to the year for me. Hopefully, I can use this momentum as it’s a long year ahead.”
Current World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) looked destined to end up in the Semifinals as she tore through the field at Snapper Rocks. In Quarterfinal 3, she had the tough task of challenging 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA) -- who had been taking down the big names all day -- with an impressive display of backhand surfing. Marks’ run came to an end at the hands of Fitzgibbons who was on fire, posting the highest heat total of the entire event, a 16.57 (out of a possible 20).
“It feels so good to be out there on a dreamy day like this,” Fitzgibbons said. “The waves have this perfect shape to them. I was out there in my own world enjoying surfing and I’ve found myself in the Semis. It’s been an exciting day to watch. There’s been a lot of excellent surfing and fins being thrown and I really enjoy the progressive side of the sport. I’ve been having so much fun in my freesurfs, and I’ve been trying to bring some of that into my heat surfing.”
Although Marks was unable to overcome Fitzgibbons, she finishes her first CT event as a rookie in Equal 5th after taking down some of surfing's biggest names including Sage Erickson (USA), Silvana Lima (BRA), and Gilmore.
“I think a few years ago, I would have been star-struck and not sure of what to do out there,” Marks said. “But now, even though they’re my idols, I really want to beat them and go and out and perform and win. Today wasn’t my day, but I just need to focus on the positives.”
Macy Callaghan (AUS) will surf in the Quarters after losing Heat 1 of Round 3 of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks, QLD, Australia.
Event officials will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. AEST for a potential 7:00 a.m. start.
Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:
Mid period, mid size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will likely build in through Tuesday. Confidence is increasing that a new low/tropical cyclone will set up larger ENE to E swell Wed-Thu, easing slowly into and over the weekend as the swell direction shifts more ESE/SE. Long range guidance points to more mid size ESE/SE swell around the last couple days of the event window.
Malia Manuel of Hawaii advanced into Round 3 after winning Heat 1 of Round 2 at the Roxy Pro, Gold Coast, 2018.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 16.26, Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.76, Macy Callaghan (AUS) 8.64
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.96, Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.04, Coco Ho (HAW) 11.86 Heat 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.40, Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.76 Heat 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 14.97, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.16, Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.53
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.23 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.67 Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.83 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.60 Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.57 def. Caroline Marks (USA) 13.77 Heat 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.87 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.83
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Matchups:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW) Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS) Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Michael February (ZAF) Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA) Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) Heat 6: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) Heat 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW) Heat 9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA) Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) Heat 11: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA) Heat 12: Jesse Mendes (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Tatiana Weston-Webb of Hawaii lost Heat 1 of Round 2 at the Roxy Pro, Gold Coast, 2018.
With Facebook currently in the news insisting they’re returning the news feed to ‘family and friends’ not media and brands this seems a strange move from the WSL. But FB did push certain surf media titles a few years back to grow hugely so who knows what the long play is. Suffice to say if you want to watch the tour it’ll be via FB’s video services by the sounds of this ‘exclusive agreement’.
And aren’t all the kids long gone from FB? It’s all Snapchat, Insty and who knows what.
WSL Press Release:
World Surf League (WSL) and Facebook announced a historic partnership today that makes the social media platform the exclusive digital home for the top live events in surfing in 2018 and 2019. This includes all elite men’s and women’s Championship Tour events, the Qualifying Series 10,000 and Big Wave Tour events, as well as the World Junior Championships.
The deal builds upon the non-exclusive live rights agreement that Facebook and WSL struck last year, in which all men’s and women’s Championship Tour events, as well as Big Wave Tour events, were simulcast on Facebook and WSL’s website and mobile app. Aside from the significant reach on WSL channels, more than 13.9 million people watched a World Surf League event on Facebook in 2017 – and they came from countries all over the world. The top three countries in terms of unique viewers were in the U.S., Brazil and Mexico.
“Facebook fosters a global community and, as surfing is a sport that celebrates and centers around community, we are proud to announce our media rights partnership with the platform,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “This is game-changing for the sport in many ways and, with current and new fans front of mind, we can retain the free offering to fans, and it allows us to deliver the world’s best surfing to even more people on Facebook’s platform.”
“We’re thrilled to become the exclusive home of the World Surf League’s live events for the next two years,” said Dan Reed, Facebook Head of Global Sports Partnerships. “This is a natural next step in our terrific partnership, which has steadily progressed over the years as the League has expertly used Facebook to distribute content and build community. This was especially true last year, when millions of fans came together on our platform to watch live surfing. We’re excited to help WSL continue to serve and grow this vibrant community and usher in a new era of surf broadcasting on Facebook Watch.”
The relationship has proved to be a model example of a flexible, innovative and collaborative relationship for both parties. All live events will be available globally on Facebook. Those in the U.S. will be able to tune in on Facebook Watch, a video platform where content, conversation and community come together. The partnership also calls for additional Facebook Watch programming, such as Surfing Sundays, which recaps each week’s top surfing action, with more programming planned in 2018 on this platform.
The shows are part of the World Surf League’s robust content offering. The League produces 800 hours of live content a year across multiple disciplines as well as a wide array of static storytelling and educational content covering the sport, history, heritage and culture of surfing, which will be available on WSL platforms alongside Facebook.
When recently analyzed in late 2017 by Sports Business Journal and third-party social measurement company Hookit, the WSL ranked in the top 3 sports leagues in the world in social engagement, alongside the NFL and NBA.
Live Events Overview
Crowning the undisputed men’s and women’s champions since 1976, the WSL’s elite Championship Tour takes the world’s best surfers to Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, Mainland USA, France, Portugal and Hawaii in 2018, all of which will be broadcast live on Facebook.
Led by reigning two-time WSL Champions John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS), the first event of the 2018 WSL Championship Tour will be the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Australia from March 11 – 22, 2018.
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Australia – March 11 – 22, 2018
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia – March 28 – April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia – April 11 – 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil – May 10 – 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia – May 27 – June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa – July 2 – 13, 2018
Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Tahiti – August 10 – 21, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
Quiksilver Pro France, France – October 3 – 14, 2018
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Portugal – October 16 – 27, 2018
Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii/USA – December 8 – 20, 2018
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Australia – March 11 – 22, 2018
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, Australia – March 28 – April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia – April 11 – 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil – May 10 – 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia – May 27 – June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa – July 10 – 17, 2018
Vans US Open of Surfing, USA – July 30 – August 5, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
Roxy Pro France, France – October 3 – 14, 2018
Hawaii Women’s Pro, Hawaii/USA – November 25 – December 6, 2018
Supporting the live content of the elite tier will be the Qualifying Series 10,000 events, the WSL Junior Championships and the WSL Big Wave Tour (BWT), taking the world’s best men’s and women’s big wave surfers to Nazaré, Pe’ahi, Mavericks and Puerto Escondido – all events will also stream live on Facebook in 2018 and 2019.
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
Conner Coffin of USA wins the 2017 WSL Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, Oahu
If such a thing exists as a sneaky win, Conner Coffin snuck up on everyone and took out the 2017 Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach. The lineup at Sunset is a big canvas and Coffin paints in broad strokes with a vivid palette, placing turns in critical places and burying his rail with new-school power. And yet, he’s a surfer inspired as much by the traditional, stylish power lines of Taylor Knox and Brad Gerlach as he is by postmodern aerialists like Dane Reynolds (not that Reynolds is lacking in the power department).
“I’ve been coming over to Hawaii since I was 12, I just love surfing here,” said an emotional Coffin after taking the win. “It’s always been a dream to win in Hawaii, I struggled with contest results in the past, but always had so much fun surfing here I knew I’d put it together at some point.”
The Californian, currently ranked No. 21 on the Championship Tour, has a strong affinity for the North Shore. Home may be Santa Barbara, but the Coffin family has had a second home on the North Shore for over a decade. Conner, along with his younger brother Parker, have used their experience spending winters in heavy surf to launch themselves onto surfing’s world stage.
“It meant so much to have my brother here,” he said, reiterating multiple times the importance of sharing the victory with his younger sibling.
Coffin’s victory over two other Californians, Kolohe Andino and Griffin Colapinto, and as well as Australian Wade Carmichael was the capper to a pressure-packed final day of the Qualifying Series — a day with an abundance of compelling stories full of Championship Tour (CT) qualification and Triple Crown title implications.
Colapinto and Carmichael had especially significant days in their young professional careers.
Wade Carmichael of Australia places third in the finals of the 2017 WSL Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach, Oahu
Carmichael started the day on the cusp of qualification, but needed to progress through at least two rounds to avoid a repeat of his 2015 qualification misfire. He’s been flirting with CT qualification for the past few years, suffering a crushing near-miss in 2015 after winning the Hawaiian Pro that winter.
Looking like a mirror image of the original Keg on Legs, legendary Aussie CT surfer Mick Lowe, the husky lumberjack from Avoca Beach, NSW, did better than that. By finishing 3rd, Carmichael made the Tour, and his aggressive approach will be a breathe of fresh air on the CT next year.
“I don’t know man, I just wanted to make some heats today and do some good surfing and I finally got a couple good waves, it feels good,” said a teary-eyed, gobsmacked Carmichael. “Yeah, it’s a dream come true. I’ve been trying so hard, I finally got a real good crack at it and it came true, I’m stoked man.”
If Carmichael had a day for the ages, Colapinto, the 19-year-old shooting star from San Clemente, Calif., might have done him one better. His 4th place finish at Sunset not only put him atop the Triple Crown ratings list, it boosted him into the top spot on the New Era QS rankings, overtaking Jesse Mendes on the last day of the year.
Griffin Colapinto of the USA advances to semifinals from quarterfinal heat 2 of the Vans World Cup 2017 at Sunset Beach, Hawaii
Although Colapinto didn’t reach his goal of winning a QS event this season, he was still over the moon with his performance on a climactic day full of intrigue. “I’m really stoked to make a few heats at Sunset, I haven’t really gotten a result out here before, but I’ve always felt like I surf good out here, now that I’m starting to make heats it feels good, I’m happy.”
Of significant note regarding the 2018 CT qualification hunt, two of the happiest surfers on Oahu (maybe the planet?) have to be Keanu Asing and Ezekiel Lau. The two Hawaiians were forced to watch other surfers decide their qualification hopes, biting their nails like a couple of dead men walking waiting for a last-minute pardon. In the end, the Hawaiian surf gods granted them a reprieve. They’ll both be on the CT next year.
