Floridians Caroline Marks and Kelly Slater Dominate the Day

Former Event Winners Sally Fitzgibbons and Courtney Conlogue Thrive in R/16

Wildcard Mia McCarthy and Rookie Macy Callaghan Exit in Equal 17th

Tomorrow’s competition at Margaret River Pro has a high probability of relocating to The Box, the famed right-hand slab known for producing fast, square-shaped tubes. If the conditions continue to align, the event will likely commence at 7:40 a.m. AWST with the men’s Round of 32 at The Box.

“The conditions during our heat were so fun,” Marks said. “Having a jersey on just gives me so much confidence. I’m having the time of my life. I gave that heat my all, but I still have more left in the tank. Hopefully, the waves stay this good. I’ve been paddling out every day no matter what the conditions. I just want to spend as much time out there as possible. I’m still figuring this place out during my heats, but it has been working so hopefully it keeps working.”

“That heat came down to mindset and strategy,” Slater said. “I’ve got a board that I feel I can really push through my turns in these waves and let me put all my power into it. I really didn’t want to rush it out there. I feel like in my first heat I was all antsy and rushed, so I didn’t want to do that again. I just wanted to have fun. I just don’t think I can do this anymore if I’m not having fun, so I really need to set myself before I surf and go out there for the enjoyment of it. When I started on Tour, I didn’t think I’d be competing with guys who are my age now, but I feel like when I go into overdrive I can beat anyone.”

“It’s awesome to walk up those stairs with all of the names of the past winners,” Fitzgibbons said. “It’s very humbling to see my name there amongst all of those legends of the sport. To come back here reminds me a lot of home on the South Coast of NSW, so it’s very homely and a lot of warm energy. I’ve got a good team here with the Micro crew and Surfing Australia. I’m surrounded by a lot of love on the road, which is great.”

Courtney Conlogue (USA), current World No. 3, dispatched Silvana Lima (BRA), current World No. 15, in the opening R/16 heat. Lima got to an early lead, but Conlogue closed the door on the Brasilian with an increase to her scoreline (an 11.44 heat total to Lima’s 6.33 heat total) in final five minutes of the matchup. After a sidelining injury last season, Lima returned to the surfing’s elite stage earlier this month at the Corona Bali Protected and earned a 5th place result. Unfortunately, Lima was unable to take down the former Margaret River Pro winner and exits in 9th place.

After a disappointing opening round heat, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) came swinging back with a 7.33 to start her redemption run. Macaulay held her lead through the majority of the heat until fellow Australian Nikki Van Dijk scored a 7.00, in addition to a mid-range back-up score, to earn first and deal rookie Macy Callaghan (AUS) back-to-back last-place finishes after the Corona Bali Protected.

“I had a really long transit of 34 hours to get back here and surf in this event, but that doesn’t worry me one bit,” Robinson said. “I just had to get out there and get the best waves and enjoy competing on the home court and have some fun. It’s always good to be home. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It looks good for The Box so it’s going to be on. I’m going super hard on the Qualifying Series this year so to get this opportunity to surf against everyone here is great.”

In 2016, Margaret River helped provide a platform for Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) to catapult into the limelight after taking down 11-time WSL Champion Slater. Today, Fioravanti showed he still has the prowess in Main Break lineup with a clutch performance over Michel Bourez (FRA) and trials winner Jacob Willcox (AUS). The Italian put his name in the excellent range to close out the heat as he looks to better a   Quarterfinal result.

Deteriorating conditions forced event organizers to pause the competition eleven minutes into R/16, Heat 6 with Malia Manuel (HAW) and Brisa Hennessy (CRI). Instead of restarting the heat, the heat will resume in more favorable conditions at the time paused when the Margaret River Pro R/16 continues.

The Margaret River Pro will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and Facebook.com/WSL .

Also check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.