Moore and Toledo Victorious

Moore and Toledo Victorious

Carissa Moore (HAW) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) won the Oi Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT). The competition finished off in spectacular fashion in front of a huge crowd at Praia de Itaúna in Saquarema, Brazil. Five-time WSL Champion Moore defeated Johanne Defay (FRA) in the Finals, while Toldo took out rookie Samuel Pupo (BRA), to earn his third-straight event win in Saquarema and his fourth overall at the Oi Rio Pro. 

Carissa Moore Wins Oi Rio Pro, Clinches a Spot in the WSL Final 5
 Current World No. 1 Moore has been consistent throughout the 2022 CT season with three 2nd place finishes in addition to her 1st place result in Saquarema. Today’s win marks the 25th CT victory of her career and she now has her sights set on another possible World Title at the Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles from September 8-16, 2022.

In the Final, Defay got off to a strong start, earning a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) on solid backhand surfing on the predominantly lefthand waves in the 4-6 foot range at Praia de Itaúna. She followed with a 4.83 for a 12.33 total (out of a possible 20). Moore, on the other hand, had two mid-range scores of a 5.50 and a 5.93 with the clock ticking down. But on the last wave of the heat, Moore blasted consecutive backside hacks with speed and progression to earn a 9.50, the highest score of the event in the women’s division.

“This is one of my favourite wins in my whole career,” said Moore. “Coming up against my good friend Johanne Defay is always difficult. She got me in G-Land and I really feel like she’s the one to beat this year. I was behind in the whole heat and I thought that I was probably going to get another 2nd place here, but things went my way. I’ve just had such an incredible week at a house with all my friends, the crowds have been amazing, and I’ve felt a lot of love and support here, so I think that’s what made it even more special.” 

In addition to her victory, Moore was able to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5, extending her lead in the rankings over Defay, Lakey Peterson (USA), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (CRI). 

“Wow, I didn’t even know it was possible here, but I’m really, really stoked,” said Moore. “That’s really cool, it takes some pressure off. That’s awesome, sweet!” 

As was the case with the majority of the athletes competing at the 2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona, there was an exhilarating feeling at the event brought by the energy and stoke provided by the most passionate and avid surf fans in the world.

“It’s great to make it to the Finals. But it’s the fans that make it so special,” said Defay from the Award Ceremony.

Toledo Earns Third-Straight Victory in Saquarema
Toledo is now being referred to as the “King of Saquarema” after winning his third-consecutive event in Saquarema and four total victories at the Oi Rio Pro. After two throwaway scores, Toledo boosted the biggest backside air rotation of the event for a perfect 10-point ride. Toledo also caught one of the longest barrels of the event and added a quick air-reverse on the closeout section for an 8.67. Toledo was unstoppable in the Finals and his torrid pace resulted in an 18.67 total, the highest of the event.

“I feel completely blessed for being in this position and sharing this moment with my family, friends and this amazing crowd,” said Toledo. “I want to congratulate Samuel (Pupo), Yago (Dora) and Italo (Ferreira) who all made it to the Semifinals. It was a historic moment for us Brazilian athletes and the crowd was a class act, showed love to everyone on Tour and made this one of the most magical events ever.”

With his victory today, Toledo has equaled the record set by Dave Macaulay (AUS), who earned four CT wins in Brazil in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993. Toledo’s incredible three consecutive wins came in 2018, 2019 and 2022 in Saquarema, with his first coming at the Oi Rio Pro in 2015 at Barra da Tijuca.

Samuel Pupo made it to the first Final of his career on the Championship Tour against Toledo. As a rookie, the young high-flyer had spectacular performances throughout the Oi Rio Pro, taking down big names such as Caio Ibelli (BRA), Mateus Herdy (BRA), and Italo Ferreira (BRA) on his way to the Finals.

“Filipe started with a 10 on a wave that I could have blocked because I had priority. He went  left and I ended up going to the right,” said Pupo. “Afterwards, it was difficult to recover because the sea calmed down and not many waves came through, so it seemed that everything was going in his favor. But I’m really happy I made the Final. For sure, this is the best day of my life, but the year is not over and I already really want to compete again. I can’t wait to go to J-Bay and do my best there,” completed Pupo.

Toledo and Moore Also Win Inaugural Mano Ziul Award
 In what was one of the most emotional moments of the Oi Rio Pro, the inaugural Mano Ziul Award was presented to honour a visionary and pioneer in the sport of surfing. The recently deceased Mano Ziul was able to provide the first webcasts for contests, bringing the most remote locations into the audience’s living room. His creation of the scoring system has been a fundamental part of competitive surfing ever since it was created. To honour his memory, the Mano Ziul Award was given to the men’s and women’s athletes with the highest heat total of the event at the Oi Rio Pro.

Mano Ziul’s family, represented by his wife Sandra and his children Luiza and Ziul (Ziulzinho) Andueza presented the trophies to Carissa Moore for her 15.43 total and Filipe Toledo, who earned an 18.67 total, both in the Finals.
 
“I want to dedicate this victory to Mano Ziul, who is up there watching us all right now. This win should be celebrated by all of us for everything he has done for the sport of surfing,” declared Toledo from the award ceremony.

2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona Women’s Final Results:
1 – Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.43
2 – Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.33

2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona Men’s Final Results:
1 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.67
2 – Samuel Pupo (BRA) 10.73

2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.16 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 9.67
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.60 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.77

2022 Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.44 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.83
HEAT 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.36 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 15.34

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Oi Rio Pro

Oi Rio Pro

Women’s Opening Round 1 Starts At 7:30 (BRT)
Men’s Opening Round 1 and Women’s Elimination Round To Follow
Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

The Oi Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), is ON with the women’s and men’s Opening Rounds followed by the women’s Elimination Round in 4 to 6 foot waves at Praia de Itaúna, Saquarema.

Brisa Hennessy (CRI) will be up against Lakey Peterson (USA) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) when competition starts in the first heat of the Women’s Opening Round 1. Weston-Webb will have the crowd support behind her, but Peterson has been on fire and will look to continue her momentum after a runner-up finish in El Salvador.

Sol Aguirre (PER) will be competing in her first-ever CT competition in Heat 2 against rankings leader Carissa Moore (HAW) and Courtney Conlogue (USA).

João Chianca (BRA) returns to competition as the men’s event wildcard and will be up against Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) in Heat 2.

Former event winner and current rankings leader, Filipe Toledo (BRA) will be up in Heat 4 of the men’s Opening Round against Samuel Pupo (BRA) and injury replacement Miguel Tudela (PER).

Oi Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Opening Round 1 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRI), Lakey Peterson (USA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Sol Aguirre (PER)
HEAT 3: Johanne Defay (FRA), Isabella Nichols (AUS), Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Tyler Wright (AUS), Gabriela Bryan (HAW)

Oi Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Opening Round 1 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Yago Dora (BRA)
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Matthew McGillivray (ZAF), João Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS), Jake Marshall (USA), Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
HEAT 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Samuel Pupo (BRA), Miguel Tudela (PER)
HEAT 5: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA)
HEAT 6: Ethan Ewing (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Jackson Baker (AUS)
HEAT 7: Callum Robson (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Jadson Andre (BRA)
HEAT 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Nat Young (USA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the fourth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), kicked off today in wind affected three-to-five foot waves on the Bells Bowl. The competition completed the first eight heats of the men’s Opening Round as the world’s best surfers hit the water at Bells for the first time in three years.

World No. 1 and No. 2 Igarashi and Slater Through to Round of 32

The opening day of the men’s competition saw mixed results for the big names with World No.1 Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and World No. 2 Kelly Slater (USA) both progressing through to the Round of 32, while event wildcard and three-time World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) fell short in his heat.

11-time World Champion Slater was the first to land a wave in Heat 3 against Owen Wright (AUS), who earned the highest score of the heat with a 7.17 (out of a possible 10) on his opening wave. As the swell continued to grow throughout the heat, Wright took advantage and clinched the winning total with his trademark backhand swoops, progressing to the top spot with Salter trailing just behind in the second progressing spot. Nat Young (USA) placed third in the heat and will surf in the Elimination Round when the competition continues.

“It’s nice to see everyone down here,” Slater said. “I know the last few years have been tough and strange for everybody on all sides of the equation, but everybody seems happy to be here and smiling, and we’ve got a little wave which is nice. It’s good to get started and get back to it. This is my 30th year at Bells, my first event here was in 1992 and I got smoked by Tom Curren and finished in equal 31st. It is really good to be back though.”

Current world No.1 Igarashi showed he has no intention of taking his foot off the gas, posting the highest two-wave total of the day with an impressive 16.24 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Igarashi’s power and finesse were a perfect match for the waves on offer as the Olympic Silver medalist sets his sights on his best result at Bells Beach.

“That high score felt really good,” Igarashi said. “I’ve missed Bells so it’s good to be back, see old friends, and just come back to a place that I really love. I struggled with this wave my first years on Tour but I just fell in love with the place over the years while I’ve been trying to master it and today was a classic day on the bowl. Wearing the yellow jersey feels nice, everyone can see me–but seriously though it is an honour to be wearing it and I feel proud to be wearing it. I’ve seen all my heroes wear it and it is confirmation that I’m doing the right thing I guess but it’s only early in the year and I still have a lot of work to do. But this year I want to win the World Title.”

Rookies Pupo (above), Baker and Robson Upset Big Names

CT rookie Samuel Pupo (BRA) upset the competition with the win over four-time Bells winner Mick Fanning (AUS) and Filipe Toledo (BRA) in Heat 5 of the Opening Round. Pupo started the heat with a bang, posting a 7.50 (out of a possible 10) on his opening wave then backed it up soon after and will advance to the Round of 32 alongside Toledo, while Fanning was relegated to the dreaded Elimination Round.

“I got a lot of confidence from that heat,” Pupo said. “My brother and I spoke before the heat about having a strong start and that I have to get a good one early so when I posted that score on my first wave it felt really good. I’m hoping to carry that confidence into my next round.”

The first men’s Opening Round heat of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach saw Australia’s Callum Robson and Ryan Callinan (above) dominate the heat, sending World No. 5 Seth Moniz (HAW) to the Elimination Round. In a three-to-five foot swell, all surfers struggled to get points on the board early, but last-minute waves from Robson and Callinan solidified their position on the board with Robson taking the top progressing spot.

2019 Bells Beach Winner John John Florence (HAW) faced an all-Australian lineup of Connor O’Leary (AUS) and Jackson Baker (AUS) in Heat 8. World. No 23 Baker, who is right below the new Mid-season cutline, had the highest scoring wave of the heat with a 7.17 (out of a possible 10) to win the heat over Florence by 0.4. This heat sent World No. 15 O’Leary to the Elimination Round.

F1 Drivers Cheer on WSL CT Athletes at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Igarashi, O’Leary, and Isabella Nichols (AUS) have been making the most of their time in Victoria with a visit to the F1 in Melbourne over the weekend. O’Leary and Nichols, who spent time surfing with HAAS F1 driver Mick Schumacher on Friday, swapped the surf for the race track to watch the Australian Grand Prix return to Melbourne for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile, Igarashi cheered on AlphaTauri F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda on his first trip to Australia with F1. Both F1 drivers enjoyed time at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, cheering on Igarashi and O’Leary in their heats today.

For more updates and highlights from today’s competition at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round 1 (H1-8) Results:

HEAT 1: Callum Robson (AUS) 11.33 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 11.23, Seth Moniz (HAW) 6.73
HEAT 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.83 DEF. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.73, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 8.46
HEAT 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 12.44 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 12.04, Nat Young (USA) 8.37
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.27 DEF. Mikey Wright (AUS) 12.67, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.76
HEAT 5: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.23 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.23, Mick Fanning (AUS) 6.73
HEAT 6: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 16.24 DEF. Lucca Mesinas (PER) 11.17, Tully Wylie (AUS) 9.36
HEAT 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) 10.33 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 9.67, Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 7.23
HEAT 8: Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.77 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 13.37, Connor O’Leary (AUS) 9.43

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Opening Round 1 (H9-12) Matchups:
HEAT 9: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 10: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
HEAT 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)
HEAT 12: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS)

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women’s Opening Round 1:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Gabriela Bryan (HAW), Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Isabella Nichols (AUS), Alyssa Spencer (USA)
Heat 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRI), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Molly Picklum (AUS)
Heat 5: Johanne Defay (FRA), India Robinson (AUS), Luana Silva (HAW)
Heat 6: Malia Manuel (HAW), Tyler Wright (AUS), Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

WSL Challenger Series

WSL Challenger Series

World Surf League (WSL) released the updated schedule for the 2022 Challenger Series (CS), the ultimate battleground for surfers to showcase their talents for the chance to qualify for the elite Championship Tour (CT). At the conclusion of the Margaret River Pro, the fifth stop on the CT, the all new mid-season cut will reduce the Championship Tour competitors by a third to the top 22 men, 10 women, plus two men’s and two women’s wildcards. The 12 men and 7 women who do not advance after the mid-season cut will compete on the Challenger Series for a chance of requalifying for the 2023 CT season.

“Last year we ran a very successful condensed season of the Challenger Series, and we are excited to run this year’s Challenger Series with a full schedule,” said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. “The Challenger Series, paired with the CT’s new mid-season cut, adds new opportunities and pressures for the world’s best and next generation to earn a place on the elite tour. The Challengers Series consists of eight events for surfers to showcase their talents and fight for a spot on the 2023 Championship Tour.”

The Challenger Series field will include 96 men and 64 women for most events, made up of 34 men and 17 women from the CT, 58 men and 43 women that are allocated by the WSL regions, and four men’s and four women’s wildcards. Any unused CT spots will become wildcards. The last event of the CS season, the Haleiwa Challenger will include 80 men and 48 women; they will be selected based on current rankings at the time.

The 2022 Challenger Series will kick off in Australia, a few days after the conclusion of the CT Australian leg. Surfers will start the road to requalification at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro presented by Rip Curl, from May 7 – 15. Australia will also host the second stop of the CS, the Sydney Surf Pro presented by Rip Curl, from May 17 – 24. After a short break, surfers will reconvene in July at Ballito, South Africa where the third stop of CS will take place. The traditional VANS US Open of Surfing is set to return to its regularly scheduled spot in August 2022. Surfers will then head to Europe for the EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira, scheduled for October 1 – 9 in Portugal, followed by the Quiksilver / ROXY Pro France, from October 12 – 23 in South West France. The tour will stop in Brazil from November 1 – 8 at the Corona Saquarema Pro presented by Banco do Brasil before wrapping in Hawaii one more time, at the Haleiwa Challenger, from November 26 to December 7.

2022 WSL Challenger Series Schedule:

  • Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro presented by Rip Curl: May 7 -15
  • Sydney Surf Pro presented by Rip Curl: May 17 – 24
  • Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill: July 3 – 10
  • VANS US Open of Surfing: July 30 – August 7
  • EDP Vissla Pro Ericeira: October 1 – 9 
  • Quiksilver / ROXY Pro France: October 12 – 23
  • Corona Saquarema Pro presented by Banco do Brasil: November 1 – 8
  • Haleiwa Challenger: November 26 – December 7
Click Here For More Info
MEO Pro Portugal

MEO Pro Portugal

The World’s best surfers are making their way to Portugal for the MEO Pro Portugal presented by Rip Curl, the third stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). The waiting period opens on March 3 and runs through March 13, 2022.

The 2022 CT season is off to an epic start after completing the first two stops on Hawaii’s North Shore of Oahu. Surf fans witnessed the return-to-form of the 11-time World Champion, Kelly Slater (USA), who claimed his career’s 56th victory in fantastic fashion at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. The women kicked off the season by making history with the first full CT competition at Pipeline, which was won by local wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW).

The second stop of the CT, the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO, confirmed a changing of the guard with major upsets affecting the world’s best and a crop of fresh talent making their mark on the Championship Tour. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) and Barron Mamiya (HAW above) won the competition and currently lead the WSL Rankings.

Now all eyes turn to the Peniche Peninsula in Portugal for Stop No. 3 as surfers embark on a new adventure. The thumping barrels of Supertubos have welcomed the CT since 2009 but for the first time, the event will happen in winter. Cold water and the full power of the North Atlantic ocean are in store for a dramatic change of scenery after a month in Hawaii.

MEO Pro Portugal Wildcards and Replacement Surfers
Barron Mamiya (HAW) sits at World No. 1 after his win at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach presented by SHISEIDO and was selected as WSL Event Replacement for the MEO Pro Portugal presented by Rip Curl following the withdraw of three-time WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA).
Yago Dora (BRA) continues his recovery from his injury ahead of the season and will be replaced by WSL Injury Replacement, Matthew McGillivray (ZAF). Liam O’Brien (AUS) and Carlos Munoz (CRI) sustained injuries at Pipeline and continue their recoveries. They will be replaced by World No. 4 Caio Ibelli (BRA) and the highest placed Portuguese surfer on the Challenger Series, Vasco Ribeiro, respectively. Afonso Antunes (PRT) and Justin Becret (FRA) will also join the men’s draw as the event wildcards.

Bronte Macaulay (AUS) will continue surfing as the WSL Injury Replacement for Caroline Marks (USA), who has withdrawn from the MEO Pro Portugal presented by Rip Curl due to medical reasons. Tia Blanco (USA) is joining the women’s draw as the event wildcard after winning The Ultimate Surfer competition last summer. 

Rip Curl Onboard as Presenting Partner of MEO Pro Portugal
Today, the World Surf League (WSL) and Rip Curl announced an extended partnership, with the iconic Australian surf brand coming on board as the presenting partner of the MEO Pro Portugal, the third stop on the 2022 CT. The news comes just weeks after the WSL announced that the Rip Curl WSL Finals would return to Lower Trestles in California this September for the 2022 CT season, serving as a reminder of the brand’s commitment to surfing at all levels. 

“Rip Curl is one of the most significant supporters of men’s and women’s professional surfing, and we’re very happy to expand our partnership with them beyond the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Rip Curl WSL Finals,” said Cherie Cohen, Chief Revenue Officer. “By coming in as the presenting partner of the MEO Pro Portugal in Europe, as well as two of the most prestigious Challenger Series events in Australia, Rip Curl joins the WSL in solidifying its commitment to the future of the sport throughout all levels of competition worldwide. We look forward to collaborating for years to come.”

By signing on as the presenting partner of the MEO Pro Portugal, Rip Curl will continue their strong connection with the waves of Supertubos in Peniche, a place where the brand took its iconic ‘Search’ Event back in 2009. 

Pressure Builds in Portugal at Halfway Mark Before Mid-Season Cut
The 2022 Championship Tour season introduces a mid-season cut after the first five events, reducing the men and women fields down to 24 and 12, respectively. With two events down and three remaining before the cut takes place, pressure is starting to build for surfers who had a rough start in Hawaii.

The current rankings show multiple athletes in trouble early on, like last year’s World No. 4 Morgan Cibilic (AUS) and his compatriot Owen Wright (AUS), or seven-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and former runner-up in the World Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), all currently sitting outside the cut line.

With events like G-Land, El Salvador, Brazil, J-Bay and Tahiti in the second half of the season, the battles in Portugal will be fierce to climb up the leaderboard and hopefully secure an all-important spot above the cut line.

Rip Curl GromSearch Brings Young Stars to Portugal
Prior to the main show, Peniche will also host the European Final of the Rip Curl GromSearch. 27 surfers from all over Europe will battle in Under-16, Under-14, and Under-12 categories, both boys and girls for the titles. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a real hotbed of young talent, having uncovered future World Champions such as Gilmore, Medina, and many more.

The event will happen on February 28 and March 1, on a location to be decided on the day depending on conditions.

Watch LIVE
The holding period for the MEO Pro Portugal presented by Rip Curl runs from March 3 to March 13, 2022. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and WSL’s YouTube channel, as well as the free WSL app.