The Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal, the final European stop of the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, got underway today and ran through Round 1 in clean three-to-four foot (1 – 1.2 metre) surf at Supertubos. The world’s best surfers fought to avoid elimination Round 2 and advance directly to Round 3.
Current World No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard Jordy Smith (ZAF), 28, successfully launched his Peniche campaign with a Round 1 win over Jeremy Flores (FRA) and rookie Kanoa Igarashi (USA) to advance straight into Round 3. The winner of the Hurley Pro at Trestles suffered a shock elimination in the second round in France and will look to find his rhythm back in the hollow peaks of Portugal.
“Conditions are pretty good out there and it’s just a matter of finding the right waves, it’s really low tide and pretty much dry off your first turn,” Smith said. “Luckily enough I found a couple lefts. I found I’d have a few opportunities on a little right bank, but here you just have to adapt on the fly.”
Miguel Pupo (BRA), 24, secured the first excellent score of the day, an impressive 8.17 for a combination of a clean barrel ride and a solid forehand turn at Supertubos. Pupo sent rookie Ryan Callinan (AUS) and World No. 3 Matt Wilkinson (AUS) to elimination Round 2 while he will skip it and advance directly to the third round.
“When I was walking in the competitors area I saw Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) look at the waves down there so I sort of knew he would sit down the beach but Ryan (Callinan) and I had waves after waves and luckily I got the one with the double-up,” Pupo stated. “I feel a lot of pressure, but I’ve been in this position before and I managed to requalify. This is a wave that I love very much but I’ve never done well so this could be the year maybe. I’m trying not to rush things I think that’s what I have to do and that’s how I surfed that last heat, I waited for the waves and tried to feel the ocean.”
A Quarterfinalist in this event last year, lethal wildcard Frederico Morais (PRT), 24, resumed his quest to get the biggest scalps in pro surfing as he took down World No. 2 and former WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and rookie Conner Coffin (USA) in a slow opening round match-up. Morais, who seriously altered Mick Fanning’s (AUS) chances of claiming a World Title in 2015 by eliminating the Australian in the third round in Peniche, could replicate his rankings shake-up if he can keep his good form going into Round 3.
“I have nothing to lose so I just surf, conditions are really hard and there are a lot of closeouts so you just need to take a lot of waves to get some good ones,” Morais said. “I want to qualify so bad but everyone knows how hard the QS (Qualifying Series) is. I’m 38th and there are three events left. I love Hawaii, the big surf, so hopefully I can do good there and maybe even qualify next year.”
Jadson Andre (BRA) delivered a shock upset in Heat 6 of Round 1 by defeating No. 1 on Jeep Leaderboard John John Florence (HAW) and sending him to elimination Round 2. Andre is currently sitting in 25th place, just outside the requalification bubble, and needs a strong result in Portugal to move up the rankings. Florence will have a rematch against wildcard Miguel Blanco (PRT) in the opening heat of Round 2 and battle to keep his chances of claiming the WSL Title in Portugal alive.
“I definitely don’t want to be in that position every year but sometimes you don’t have a choice, I had a couple of injuries at the beginning of the year that really brought me down,” Andre said. “Miguel (Pupo) and myself are the only two guys I think who have been in that situation every year for a while so we may have a little bit of an advantage. I love Portugal, I always do good here and I really hope I can win a couple more heats.”
11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 44, was in sizzling form on the opening day of competition in Peniche and locked in the day’s maneuver, a massive forehand rotation for an excellent 9 points to take the lead. The Floridian later found some tube time on a lefthander to back up his main wave with a 6.83 and put Matt Banting (AUS) and Stuart Kennedy (AUS) in a combination situation and into Round 2.
“I was trying to find a peak down to the South I thought I saw a couple rights, I pulled in a couple of barrels on my first three waves but I realized this wasn’t going to work unless it was a straight peak and no wall,” Slater reflected. “Then I saw that right and knew there wasn’t much in it except for an air so I took as much speed as I could and hit it as late as I could and that one stuck. I took a few days for myself in France and feel relaxed now.”
Josh Kerr (AUS), 32, bested Slater to claim the day’s equal highest combined heat total of 15.90 out of a possible 20 for a Round 3 berth. Round 1 Heat 9 saw Kerr follow Slater’s scenario to the letter to belt his two best scores on a big frontside aerial and a backhand tube as well.
“The only game plan I have when there’s like little wedgy peaks like this is to just go out and have a free surf,” Kerr said. “There’s no limit to how many waves you can catch and a lot of opportunities in a lot of very different waves, barrels turns or airs so I just keep my options open.”
Top seeds Adriano De Souza (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) all won their opening round encounters with solid scores to make their way into the third round. A runner-up last year, Ferreira took his time building house in Round 1 but managed to find two big scores in the dying minutes of the final heat to edge out Hawaiians Sebastian Zietz (HAW) and Dusty Payne (HAW).
Event organizers will reconvene at 8 a.m. (local time) tomorrow morning to assess conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecast partner of the WSL, are calling for:
SW/WSW swell will fade on Tuesday as new, long period W swell from Hurricane Nicole begins to filter in. W swell offers fun surf for the middle and second half of the week with generally light winds and favorable conditions. An active North Atlantic provides the potential for stronger NW/WNW windswell/swell for the weekend and into the early/middle part of next week but local winds and conditions look unfavorable for Supertubos at this point.
Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 1 Results: Heat 1: Kai Otton (AUS) 12.43, Nat Young (USA) 11.77, Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.40 Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 10.76, Keanu Asing (HAW) 9.94, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 7.23 Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.30, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 11.94, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.37 Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.34, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.20, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 7.63 Heat 5: Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.37, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 9.76, Conner Coffin (USA) 8.03 Heat 6: Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.20, Miguel Blanco (PRT) 11.17, John John Florence (HAW) 9.94 Heat 7: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 10.94, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.53, Adam Melling (AUS) 8.00 Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA) 15.83, Matt Banting (AUS) 10.77, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 9.63 Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS) 15.90, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 15.76, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 7.84 Heat 10: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.17, Jack Freestone (AUS) 13.50, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.24 Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.83, Davey Cathels (AUS) 12.66, Michel Bourez (PYF) 10.66 Heat 12: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.00, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 14.83, Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.27
Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal Round 2 Match-Ups: Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Miguel Blanco (PRT) Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA) Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) Heat 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 6: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Matt Banting (AUS) Heat 7: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA) Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Davey Cathels (AUS) Heat 10: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW) Heat 11: Nat Young (USA) vs. Conner Coffin (USA) Heat 12: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Top seeds had a tough go in Round One. Brazilian Miguel Pupo went to town in challenging Supertubos surf, taking out World No. 3 Matt Wilkinson. Then, in one of the biggest upsets of Day 1, local MEO Rip Curl Pro wildcard Frederico Morais initiated his giant-killing campaign with a win over World No. 2 Gabriel Medina. Even John John Florence, the Jeep rankings leader, was relegated to Round Two when Brazilian Tour veteran Jadson Andre upped the ante.
A Round Two loss for Medina could crush his World Title hopes, but Florence, the World No. 1, needs to watch his back. An early exit for him may enable Medina to go on a tear in Portugal, and close the gap heading into Hawaii.
Top: Kelly
Far left: Fred Morais
Left: Filipe Toledo
Below: John John Florence
John John Florence maintains the Jeep Leaderboard yellow jersey, with a narrowing 2,700 point lead over world #2 Gabriel Medina. World Title chase watch will be in full effect as the CT’s top two surfers put everything on the line at the tour’s second-to-last stop of the season.
Above: Kai ‘Ottz’ Otton
Far left: Fred Morais
Left: John John Florence
Below: Matt Wilkinson
Above: Matt Banting
Above: Kelly
Above: Medina
Right: John John Florence
Below: Miguel Blanco
The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 on the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), completed 16 heats today, whittling the men’s and women’s fields down to the final four surfers and setting up the Semifinals for a dramatic finish later this week.
The hotly anticipated match-up between John John Florence (HAW) vs. Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Quarterfinals turned into a progressive surfing show as waves started to shut down, offering limited options other than air sections. The current World No. 1 on the Jeep Leaderboard got his revenge over Toledo who outshone him in the previous round yesterday and advances to the Semifinals where he will face Keanu Asing (HAW).
John John Florence durung Round 5 at the QUiksilver Pro France.
“I’m super stoked just to make it through that heat, it’s like perfect conditions for Filipe (Toledo) right now,” Florence said. “The tide is real low and it’s really dumpy on the inside right now, a lot of the waves are running really fast.”
Gabriel Medina during the quarterfinals of the Quiksilver Pro France
Current World No. 2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) showcased why he is the defending event winner in France as he took to the air to land incredible maneuvers to earn a phenomenal 15.07 combined heat score. Medina had the crowd on their feet as he performed epic stunts for the heat win over Julian Wilson (AUS). Wilson attempted to fight back, but with a 10.13 combined score, could not find the 8.24 needed to challenge the former World Champion. Wilson will leave the event with a 5th place finish. Medina will face Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Semifinals.
“That was a good heat, I was feeling tired before that one because of yesterday, but my board felt good and I’m stoked I landed those airs,” Medina said. “It’s good to be in the title race but it’s hard, not only because it’s against John John (Florence). Hopefully everything goes well and we have a good battle in Hawaii.”
The two dark horses of this 2016 Quiksilver Pro France, Matt Banting (AUS) and Keanu Asing (HAW), went head-to-head in the opening Quarterfinal battling for an all-important semifinal ticket as both surfers currently sit well outside the re-qualification bubble and desperately need the points. Both surfers exchanged multiple waves but ultimately it was Asing who built the stronger house and advanced to reach a career-first Championship Tour Semifinal.
“I’m just elated, this feeling is so surreal, to be here now in the semis is a dream come true,” Asing stated. “I’ve always dreamt of being on this tour, so actually making it to the Semifinals with the best surfers in the world is pretty amazing. I watched Carissa (Moore) light up a left when I was walking down the beach and it really got me fired up. We grew up surfing together at Kewalos and it sort of made me at home and I knew exactly what I had to do.”
Stopped in Round 5 by Florence, reigning WSL Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA) claimed an equal 9th place finish and will head to Portugal with a relative confidence boost after the Brazilian surfed three excellent heats in France to put a halt to an early loss streak in Tahiti and Trestles.
“For me it was definitely frustrating, if I had won that heat I would have made the Top 5,” De Souza said. “I know John John (Florence) is a tough man, number one in the World, he has a lot of pressure on his shoulders and I tried to use that as an advantage. I put everything I could in the last two waves, but it wasn’t enough.”
Kolohe Andino (USA) rounded up the day’s action and eliminated Kai Otton (AUS) to advance past the quarterfinals a second time this season. The Californian will face World No. 2 Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the semis when competition resumes.
The Roxy Pro France ran through Round 4 and the Quarterfinals to decide the event’s Semifinalists and whittle the field down to just four hopefuls for a title in France.
Tyler Wright during the quarterfinals at the Roxy Pro France.
Tyler Wright (AUS), current frontrunner on the Jeep Leaderboard, will continue her charge for the WSL World Title as she defeated compatriot Laura Enever (AUS) in the second Quarterfinal heat. Wright, the two-time defending event winner, posted two strong 6-point rides on her backhand to advance to the Semifinals.
“I like the crowd and how they do not just cheer one surfer, but they cheer on everyone whether you win or lose up the beach or down the beach,” Wright noted. “As a general crowd that is pretty amazing. I plan to do my thing [in the Semifinal]. I do not know who is going to win or lose, but I know what I can do and I know me. I am happy with that. I have a very good team behind me so we will go after that heat with the same goal in mind — to win every heat and win every final. Other than that, I cannot do much more.”
Courtney Conlogue during the quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro France.
As the only surfer able to block Wright’s Title win in France, all eyes were on Courtney Conlogue (USA), current Word No. 2, in her Quarterfinal heat against Nikki Van Dijk (AUS). Conlogue unleashed a series of powerful backside turns to secure a 7.33 and a 7.97, but Van Dijk posted an excellent 8.60 to narrow the gap. Conlogue waited for a set to fire back with a near-perfect 9.17 to secure her place in the Semifinals and keep her World Title hopes alive.
“It is down to the nitty-gritty right now and Nikki (Van Dijk] got me in the first round so I did not want that to happen again,” Conlogue explained. “To be honest, I wanted to take the opportunity off of Nikki when I used priority in the last few minutes. I have had so many times where there has been a minute remaining and that one wave ends up being it. I decided to put my cards in when taking that wave. This World Title race is really exciting for me. Now, I am simplifying and giving myself the best shot I have.”
The final Quarterfinal matchup saw an intense clash between three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Moore powered through the heat with an excellent 8.67 and a near-perfect 9.57 to put Gilmore in a combination and take the win. Moore will advance to the Semifinals where she will face Conlogue. Gilmore will walk away with an Equal 5th place finish, her sixth Quarterfinal loss this season.
“I wish Steph (Gilmore) was on the other side of the draw so we didn’t have to meet up until the Finals,” Moore said. “I love competing against her, I think she brings out the best in everybody. I knew I’d have to go out there and swing my best swing if I wanted to beat her. It would be amazing to win her, so far this year it’s been tough for me to break the Semis and win.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) fired in the opening Quarterfinal matchup to defeat Sage Erickson (USA). Weston-Webb put on a clinic with a near-perfect 9.47 and a commanding 7.77 second wave score. The Californian battled back with a 13.84 combined score, but could not challenge the Hawaiian’s excellent forehand rides. Weston-Webb’s win will mark her fourth Semifinal berth of the year.
“I have really just been enjoying myself this whole week and taking a serious/fun approach to this event,” commented Weston-Webb. “I feel really confident and feel like my surfing is there. As long as I catch the waves, I feel good. After the 9.47, I knew that was the most amazing, fun wave I’ve probably ever caught in a contest. I kicked out and thought that it should hopefully be an 8. I was really surprised when I heard it was a 9, but forgot how many turns I did on that wave.”
Previously, Erickson eliminated crowd favorite Johanne Defay (FRA) in the opening heat of Round 4, and continued her recent rise through the CT ranks to reach the Quarterfinals for the fourth time in a row.
“Johanne (Defay) has been one of my inspirations on this tour, when she qualified she came in as the last seed from the QS and she’s won events and completely transformed her surfing,” Erickson said. “Luckily I had good scores at the beginning, I would have liked to build on that 5 but I made it so I’m happy. I’m excited to compete, I have amazing people around in my life and it’s a beautiful time in our sport, I think the girls are incredible and I just want to be a part of that mix.”
Event organizers will reconvene at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning to assess conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecasters for the World Surf League (WSL), are calling for:
Fun to mid size WNW swell continues Sunday with favorable wind for much of the day. Smaller, but still fun size, WNW swell early next week as wind remains favorable. The latest model trend is for an increase in swell for the end of the waiting period (Thur-Sat), although wind may prove to be somewhat problematic.
Just in case you missed it yesterday: JJF and Filipe’s punt off is pretty sick…
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS: SF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW) SF 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.04 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 12.67 QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) QF 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA)15.07 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 10.13 QF 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.70 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 9.93
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 5 RESULTS: Heat 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 11.00 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 10.53 Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 10.64 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.37 Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.87 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 13.84 Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.50 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 11.70
ROXY PRO FRANCE SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS: SF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
ROXY PRO FRANCE QUARTERFINAL RESULTS: QF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 17.24 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 13.84 QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.06 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 2.07 QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.14 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 13.93 QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.24 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.54
ROXY PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 RESULTS: Heat 1: Sage Erickson (USA) 13.34 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.93 Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) 13.50 def. Alessa Quizon (HAW) 12.63 Heat 3: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 14.33 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 10.87 Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.50 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.70
Kolohe Andino during Round 3 at the QUiksilver Pro France.
SEIGNOSSE/HOSSEGOR/CAPBRETON, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine / France (Saturday, October 8, 2016) – The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 on the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), resumed in excellent four-to-six foot (1.2 – 2 metre) surf at Culs Nus. The Quiksilver Pro ran through the all-decisive Round 3 as well as the three-man non-elimination Round 4 to decide the event’s first four Quarterfinalists. The women also powered through Round 3 to determine the first four Quarterfinalists of the Roxy Pro.
The World Title race kept everyone on their toes as John John Florence (Haw) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) managed to stay alive in France while their direct competition Matt Wilkinson (AUS) joined the long list of top seeds failing to maintain a good rhythm in Hossegor.
Filipe Toledo won Heat 2 of Round Four with a perfect 10 point ride at the Quik Pro France.
A thrilling battle played out between World No. 1 Florence and Filipe Toledo (BRA) in their Round 4 matchup as the two aerialists kept pushing each other towards bigger maneuvers, lighting up the crowds every time they paddled for a wave. Both Florence and Toledo started with an excellent barrel ride each, then went to the air to send massive punts, Toledo leading the show with a Perfect 10 point ride for the win.
“I did not even know that I was needing a huge score, I just heard that John [Florence] had a 9.40 and I had an 8.50,” Toledo explained. “In a heat against John and Stuart [Kennedy] you have to go big because they have been ripping in the whole event. Round 4 is a good round to try some big airs and crazy stuff. That left came perfectly to me and it was amazing to beat John and go straight to the Quarters.”
Florence will have another chance when competition resumes, facing Adriano de Souza (BRA) in Round 5. Previous to that incredible show, Florence had already had a close call in Round 3 against rookie Ryan Callinan (AUS). In a similar scenario, Florence and Callinan did battle in the air with a slight edge this time for the Hawaiian.
“That was a super fun heat and I’m so stoked to have a heat with Ryan [Callinan],” Florence said. “He really pushes me and makes me want to do airs too. That was an interesting one and a real battle. The battles feel really good when you finish it, win or lose. It feels good to wear the Jeep Leader Jersey. I’ve surfed a few heats and I’m getting back into my rhythm.”
Gabriel Medina (BRA) barely escaped a treacherous matchup with giant killer Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Round 3. Medina had a strong start, but it was a patient Fioravanti who found an absolute gem in the lineup to navigate a great barrel and punctuate the ride with a snap for an 8.57, the heat’s biggest score. Ultimately Medina stayed in pole position for a mere 0.44 to defeat the wildcard. The 2014 WSL Champion, fighting for his second Title this season, went on to dominate his following matchup to advance directly into the Quarterfinals and apply pressure on Florence.
“Of course you get fired up when someone’s surfing really good, I’m stoked to get to the quarters,” Medina said. “France is special to me, every time I go to the water I feel good and confident. I tend to get nervous before every heat, but when I’m out there everything goes my way. I love the support here. Everyone comes down the beach to support us and it gives you more energy. You want to show them some good surfing.”
Kai Otton (AUS) played the spoiler twice today, eliminating current No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Round 3 before sending Julian Wilson (AUS) and Sebastian Zietz (HAW) to Round 4 as the Australian veteran built confidence and momentum to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time this season.
“I did not really care about Wilko [Matt Wilkinson] at all in that heat to be honest,” Otton admitted. “I was just all about me. I need to make some heats if I want to stay on Tour. I just want to win. I do not want to go out losing in the third round all year and that was a really crucial heat for me. I am rooting for Wilko to win the Title, but I have to win my heats when they come.”
At the top of the Jeep Leaderboard for the first half of 2016, Wilkinson’s early efforts are going to waste with a string of bad results in the last four events, unable to produce his best surfing and select the right opportunities past the third round.
“The plan was to sit on the back of that little rip,” Wilkinson analyzed. “At the start I moved down. When Kai [Otton] had priority, I moved off of that and I nearly got to a couple wide ones that ran off, but they did not end up turning out. Kai got the best wave of that heat. I probably should have stuck to the plan a little bit. I felt like my surfing was great but I just could not get a wave in that heat.”
Adriano De Souza (BRA) confirmed his new found form following two mediocre results in Tahiti and California as the reigning WSL Champion overcame rookie Conner Coffin (USA)to advance into Round 4. De Souza who was unable to capitalize on the following round will have a chance to redeem himself when he faces Florence in Round 5.
“For me it’s been such a tough year,” said De Souza. “I’ve had a lot going on this year outside of surfing which has taken me out of the water. All the champions have the same challenges and I’ve never been a champion before so I didn’t really know how to deal with it. I have to keep going even though I’m out of the World Title race this year. I’m cheering for Gabriel Medina, the whole country is cheering for him.”
Today’s competition also saw Keanu Asing (HAW) put on a good show in the opening men’s heat of the day and surfed his way to a 14.50 total to eliminate Adrian Buchan (AUS) from competition. Asing unleashed his powerful surfing to move past Round 3 for only the second time in 2016.
The Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 of the Women’s Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), resumed as well and continued to deliver exciting action as the world’s best surfers enjoyed rippable peaks in their non-elimination Round 3 encounters.
Tyler Wright at the Roxy Pro France during Round 2.
Tyler Wright (AUS), the current World No.1 wearing the Jeep Leader Jersey, continued her path towards a maiden World Title by advancing into the Quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro France. The Australian stayed busy in the lineup and surfed numerous waves to lock in two good scores and dispatch compatriot Laura Enever (AUS) and Sage Erickson (USA).
“I was happy with how that heat went, I had a plan and just had to stick to it, it’s a rip bowl on my backhand which is kind of new territory for me,” Wright stated. “Working with Micro [Glenn Hall] this year we’re like a team, you have Wilko [Matt Wilkinson], Laura [Enever] and I and we’re kind of rocking around together and it’s great. Being away from home for most of the year, it’s good to have that familiarity with people where you can relax and do things with them.”
Courtney Conlogue (USA), current World No. 2, did not let the immense pressure of the WSL Title race battle with Wright get to her, and negotiated a tricky Round 3 win over Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) to make her way into the Quarterfinals as well.
“Conditions were so tricky on that high tide, on my first wave I was hoping to finish that last turn and not making it kind of put me against the wall,” Conlogue admitted. “I’m stoked to get into the quarters and hopefully I get a few more waves than that. I knew I needed to bring my A-game in that heat. Sally [Fitzgibbons] is a really smart surfer that strategizes a lot and Nikki [Van Dijk] also, so I’m happy to make it through this one.”
Stephanie Gilmore during Round 2 of the Roxy Pro France.
Six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) blasted through the final heat of the women’s third round with an inspiring performance in the day’s most-exciting exchange against three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and Coco Ho (HAW). While all three competitors opened their account with a high 8, Gilmore was the only surfer able to back her highest score with another excellent wave for an impressive 17.37 heat total and a spot in the Quarterfinals.
“I could be surfing a lefthand pointbreak and I’ll still keep my eyes open for a right,” an amused Gilmore commented. “I saw a couple of rights appear and disappear so I just kept them in mind and it worked out. You always have to be ready to adapt here, it’s lefts then it’s rights, it’s rip bowls then it’s huge hollow chunky waves so you just have to be ready for anything. I haven’t won an event in a while and that’s what it’s all about so I’ll do my best and we’ll see what happens.”
Last season’s Rookie of the Year Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) bounced back from an unlikely stumble in her opening matchup in Hossegor, and took control of the first heat of the day, relegating crowd favorite Johanne Defay (FRA) and Alessa Quizon (HAW) to Round 4 while she will advance straight to the Quarterfinals. The Hawaiian found two excellent lefts and displayed her trademark snaps in the power sections of the wave for an excellent 8 point ride backed up with a 6.00.
“It’s kind of chilly here in the morning so you have to work hard to get up early, I think I was the third person out in the lineup but I only really did one turn before my heat,” Weston-Webb said. “You have to select the ones that stand up through the channel on the inside, and to be in that position you need to maintain your paddling because the rip is taking you out. They’re hard to get but when you do they’re super fun waves.”
Event organizers will reconvene at 8 a.m. local time tomorrow morning to assess conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecasters for the World Surf League (WSL), are calling for:
Fun to mid size WNW swell continues Sunday with favorable wind for much of the day. Smaller, but still fun size, WNW swell early next week as wind remains favorable. The latest model trend is for an increase in swell for the end of the waiting period (Thur-Sat), although wind may prove to be somewhat problematic.
ROXY PRO FRANCE ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 14.00, Johanne Defay (FRA) 11.00, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 9.53 Heat 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.37, Sage Erickson (USA) 10.10, Laura Enever (AUS) 8.46 Heat 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.30, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 10.14, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.10 Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 17.37, Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.66, Coco Ho (HAW) 12.64
ROXY PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Sage Erickson (USA) Heat 2: Laura Enever (AUS) vs. Alessa Quizon (HAW) Heat 3: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Coco Ho (HAW) Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 3 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) 14.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 11.40 Heat 2: Adriano De Souza (BRA) 14.50 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 12.80 Heat 3: Matt Banting (AUS) 9.16 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.80 Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.93 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 14.53 Heat 5: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 11.06 def. Nat Young (USA) 10.76 Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 16.80 def. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 15.50 Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.34 vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 12.90 Heat 8: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.23 vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 10.90 Heat 9: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.93 vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) 8.83 Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.43 def. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.93 Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.67 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.66 Heat 12: Kai Otton (AUS) 12.60 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.43
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 4 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Matt Banting (AUS) 14.43, Keanu Asing (HAW) 13.76, Adriano De Souza (BRA) 13.53 Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.50, John John Florence (HAW) 18.47, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.03 Heat 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.17, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 9.13, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.74 Heat 4: Kai Otton (AUS) 15.50, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 6.30, Julian Wilson (AUS) 2.33
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 5 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Adriano de Souza (BRA) Heat 3: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Julian Wilson (AUS) Heat 4: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Courtney Conlogue (USA) Placed 1st in Heat 3 of Round Two at Roxy Pro France 16
SEIGNOSSE/HOSSEGOR/CAPBRETON, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine / France (Friday, October 7, 2016) – Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro France, Stop No. 9 of the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), was completed today in good three-to-four foot (1 – 1.2 metre) conditions at the main venue of plage des Culs Nus in Hossegor. The day witnessed a flurry of upsets as the challenging French beach breaks set the scene for a great shake up of the current rankings.
Matt Wilkinson during Round 2 at the Quiksilver Pro France.
Matt Wilkinson (AUS), current World No. 3 on the Jeep Leaderboard, progressed through to Round 3 at the expense of local wildcard Joan Duru (FRA). The goofy footers battled on two exciting exchanges on back-to-back waves, with a slight edge for the Australian who displayed more control in the bumpy conditions.
“The waves were really fun and rippable and I knew Joan (Duru) living here is probably one of the most solid guys to come up against,” Wilkinson said. “We ended up getting two really good waves each and I’m stoked I came out on top. I’m pretty relieved, I gave him an absolute bomb at the start and to come back from that and win is satisfying.”
Ryan Callinan (AUS) put a dent in Jordy Smith (ZAF)’s WSL Title campaign by eliminating the current World No. 4 in Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro France. The young Australian rookie took a page out of Wilkinson’s book, ripping backside and clinching the winning ride (a 6.93) halfway through their matchup with a smooth three-turn combo.
“It was pretty slow, I thought there would be a lot more waves, but when they come through they’re pretty fun it’s just hard to position yourself,” Callinan stated. “I’ve only made two heats this year, this was my third, and two were against Jordy (Smith) so it might just be a little good luck charm. I’ve had a lot of close heats this year so to have one go my way feels really good and hopefully it keeps going.”
Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) continued to wreak havoc as a wildcard on the Championship Tour this season, taking down 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) for the second time this year. The Italian surfed his way to a solid 13.26 heat total while Slater had a hard time linking maneuvers on the fast breaking lefts of Culs Nus.
“I don’t have any pressure at CT events, I’m not trying to re-qualify or win a World Title here so I just want to have fun and when I went up against Kelly (Slater) again I just want to make the most out of it,” Fioravanti commented. “Whether I won or lost it was going to be an unbelievable experience. The more experience I get the better it is for next year if qualifying actually happens, so every heat is another 30 minutes in a World Tour rashie and I want to get as much as I can before I get my own rashie. Kelly is my idol and I’m always learning from him, spending some time with him in Margaret and Fiji has been a huge learning curve for me.”
Filipe Toledo (BRA) delivered one of the biggest performances of the day and eliminated fellow Brazilian Alex Ribeiro (BRA), courtesy of his slick forehand attack on the clean waves of Culs Nus. Toledo’s rebound in Round 2 put a brief stop to the carnage amongst top seeds bailing in 25th place in France.
“I’m so relieved, I was super nervous but after my 8.67 I felt like much more confidence as my board was working good and I felt great,” Toledo stated. “I have so much on my mind right now with the baby coming, I’m trying to get some sleep but it’s not easy with everything going on at home. It feels good to get that win and I’m excited for the next round.”
Alejo Muniz (BRA) and 2016 WSL Rookie Jack Freestone (AUS) delivered a couple more upsets by defeating Michel Bourez (PYF) and Josh Kerr (AUS) respectively, as the ever-changing conditions continued to end campaigns for some of the event favorites in Hossegor.
Rookie Conner Coffin (USA) surfed an extremely patient 30-minute matchup against Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), but capitalized on every opportunity he got to net an amazing 9 point ride with powerful backhand gauges on a great lefthander. The Californian backed it up with a similar approach on a shorter wave for a 7.33 and a Round 3 berth.
“Wiggolly’s always a tough draw, we’ve had a lot of close battles together, but any heat you make on this tour is good,” Coffin said. “Waves were fun in that heat, I’m just stoked to be here in France because this place is insane. I’m here with my family, Ryan and Philippe Malvaux who lives here and works with Hurley so lots of good energy. After a few bad results I’m kind of in the mindspace of just enjoying the whole tour experience, you never know when it’s going to end.”
Following the completion of Men’s Round 2, the the Roxy Pro France got underway with Women’s elimination Round 2.
Courtney Conlogue (USA), current No. 2 on the Jeep Leaderboard, survived elimination Round 2 against 2016 WSL Rookie Chelsea Tuach (BRB) and will keep her World Title hopes alive as she moves through to Round 3. Tuach got off to a quick start to put points on the board, but Conlogue charged through the heat with powerful maneuvers to earn an excellent 8.07 and a stunning 7.83 for the win.
“The conditions suited backhand surfing,” Conlogue explained. “These conditions are a bit tricky and the tide keeps changing. We have been watching the lineup and saw that every fifteen minutes that it kept adjusting. I had a lot of fun out there and I’m really stoked to make it to Round 3.”
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) took an impressive win against California-native Lakey Peterson (USA) in Round 2 Heat 2. Peterson opened her account with an authoritative 7.00 and backed that up with another commanding 7.27 for an early lead. Fitzgibbons battled back with a near-perfect 9.33 to escape the combination, but still required a 4.94 to overtake Peterson. With five minutes left on the clock, Fitzgibbons fired with an excellent 8.33 for the Round 2 victory and the highest two-wave heat total of the day.
“It has been a tough run of results for myself,” Fitzgibbons said. “I have been pulling my surfing apart and trying to build something I am proud of. It has been tough to ride those losses and coming up in Round 2, I’ve been drawing some really tough seeds. In Round 2 it really puts the fire in the belly — you want to keep going in these events. I just dug deep and knew I had to perform the way I know I can.”
Laura Enever (AUS) took down 2016 WSL Rookie Keely Andrew (AUS) in the opening heat of Round 2. Enever sat in the second position for the majority of the heat, but a solid 6.17 on her last exchange gave her the slight 0.50 point lead over Andrew to take the win and advance to Round 3. Andrew will walk away with an Equal 13th place finish.
Round 2 Heat 5 witnessed an intense battle between Hawaiians Alessa Quizon (HAW) and Malia Manuel (HAW). The heat could not get any closer as both surfers locked in a 10.60 combined heat score for a tied match-up. Quizon earned the highest single wave score of the heat, a 6.33, and will advance to Round 3. The 13th place finish will mark Manuel’s worst result of the season.
“I’ve been in a lot of Round 2 heats and this year I haven’t had the best of them at the end,” commented Quizon. “I think my main mistake this year has been letting each result get the best of me. For this event, I wanted to have fun. I just wanted to have a heat where I was enjoying myself because half the time this year I haven’t been. I wanted to feel something different.”
Hawaiians Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) and Coco Ho (HAW) will also advance to Round 3 after dispatching event wildcard Bronte Macaulay (AUS) and Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), respectively.
Event organizers will reconvene at 8 a.m. local time tomorrow morning to assess conditions and make the next call.
Surfline, official forecasters for the World Surf League (WSL), are calling for:
“Pulses of WNW swell from our storm last weekend/early week will continue into the back half of the week. Reinforcing WNW swell will fill in for the weekend.”
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Heat 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.56 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 14.33 Heat 2: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.26 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.83 Heat 3: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.26 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.16 Heat 4: Matt Banting (AUS) 11.50 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 10.74 Heat 5: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.00 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.43 Heat 6: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.67 def. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 7.60 Heat 7: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.33 Heat 8: Jack Freestone (AUS) 12.36 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 9.30 Heat 9: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.60 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 11.34 Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) 16.33 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.60 Heat 11: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 12.00 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 10.50 Heat 12: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.43 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.17
QUIKSILVER PRO FRANCE ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW) Heat 2: Adriano De Souza (BRA) vs. Conner Coffin (USA) Heat 3: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Matt Banting (AUS) Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Davey Cathels (AUS) Heat 5: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) vs. Nat Young (USA) Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS) Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) Heat 8: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) Heat 9: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 10: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA) Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)
Over the course of the past year, Leo Fioravanti has turned from a kid you need to keep tabs on, to a man you need to start paying attention to… And potentially the first Italian world champion.
Leo is no stranger to the surf world. And the surf world is certainly no stranger to him. The little charmer has had a spotlight shining on him since before he even hit his teens. And why not? He had eerily good form, a myriad of airs, a fearless approach to fearsome waves and a carve as big as his smile. The world was his, and the hype was inevitable.
But those days are over.
Leo’s 18 now. An adult. He’s had a certain fire in him ever since returning to the water after sustaining a broken back at Pipeline. This year, he grabbed the lead on the WQS and has already beaten both Kelly Slater and defending World Champ Adriano de Souza as a wildcard on the WSL. Suffice to say, Leo has arrived.
So now its’ time to put the noise to rest. No more hype. No more big claims. No more calling him a kid. From here on out, Leo’s just going to let his surfing do the talking. Rest assured, we’ll be listening.
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Kelly Slater –
“Leo has a good eye for waves. He’s always putting himself on the good ones….His best surfing comes in big waves. He seems to really like the powerful stuff, so competitively he already has a real advantage over a lot people”
“When he got hurt last year…in a way i think it was almost a blessing. It gave him a lot of time to sit back, think about where he is going, what he is doing and what he appreciates. And I think he came out more on fire after that”
Zeke Lau –
“We travel around the world together surfing the CT so it was good to mix it up and surf good waves and have fun and not worry about the contest thing.”
“His attitude towards everything is really positive, so it’s good to have that energy and feed off of and push each other to new levels.”
Leo Fioravanti –
“This is what I work hard for. I work hard to surf waves like Fiji without no one else out on the World Tour. This wave is one of the best waves in the world. It’s defiantly better than what i expected”
“This year has really been the best year of my life. I’ve gone from surfing incredible waves with my idol, to spending time with my family and scoring pumping waves with great friends. All these things combined have helped my to hopefully achieve my lifelong goal of qualifying for the world tour and hopefully one day, who knows, become a world champion.”
