• Tyler Wright and Ethan Ewing Finish Runner-up
• Current No. 2 Tyler Wright Clinches Spot in WSL Final 5
• Carissa Moore and Filipe Toledo Lead Rankings Going into Stop No. 9
• LATEST RANKINGS GO HERE

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Saturday, July 1, 2023) – Today, Yago Dora (BRA) and Caitlin Simmers (USA) won the 2023 VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in beautiful conditions, in front of a massive crowd at Praia de Itauna. Tyler Wright (AUS) and Ethan Ewing (AUS) earned runner-up finishes in an exciting close to competition here in Brazil.

The rankings have been significantly shaken following this event. With their big wins today, Simmers and Dora now sit within the Top 5. Wright’s runner-up finish means she will remain at No. 2, and has become the second competitor to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5. Ewing’s runner-up performance elevated him to No. 3 on the rankings. Carissa Moore (HAW) will maintain the ranking’s lead going into Stop No. 9 at J-Bay. Filipe Toledo (BRA) will take the yellow Leader jersey from Griffin Colapinto (USA), who is now at No. 2.

Yago Dora Earns Maiden CT Win In Front of Home Crowd

Yago Dora (BRA) earned his maiden CT event win today in front of a massive, cheering crowd. This is Dora’s fifth year on Tour and the win couldn’t have come at a better time or location. Dora overcame the likes of World Champions Gabriel Medina (BRA) and John John Florence (HAW) on his way to victory. With his big win, Dora has moved all the way from No. 12 to No. 5 on the rankings and is within World Title contention.

“It hasn’t even sunk in yet, it’s amazing,” said Dora. “This week was something special. It was the best week of my life. Even on the flat days, I had so much fun, and every day was special here. I just had a feeling something special was going to happen, and it did. It took a long time, but that first win came at the right time and the right place. I’m beyond happy. Nowhere else better to win my first event; I’m so excited.”

The men’s Final witnessed a tactical battle between Dora and Ewing. Dora held a slim lead heading into the halfway mark before throwing caution to the wind and launching himself into a full-rotation air to earn a perfect 10-point ride. The crowd cheered Dora on the entire match and erupted in the final seconds as he claimed his first-ever CT victory.

On his way to the Final, Dora overcame event threat and injury replacement Jadson Andre (BRA) in the Quarterfinals. Andre had established himself as the one to beat after eliminating defending event winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Round of 16. Dora then took down two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Semifinals. Florence had put on an exceptional performance in the Quarterfinals, but could not find a score of significance during his match with Dora.

Rookie Caitlin Simmers Earns Second CT Victory

Rookie sensation Caitlin Simmers (USA) added an impressive second CT win to her name today here in Brazil. Simmers has had an outstanding year and came to this event ranked No. 7. The 17-year-old has now positioned herself within the Top 5 going into the last two events of the season, and it is possible she could win a World Title her first year on Tour.

Simmers started the Final by putting two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) on notice early with an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) for a lip-line floater. Simmers then found a backup of a 6.33 to put Wright in a combination situation, needing two scores to match her heat total as the halfway point approached. Wright’s efforts took her out of the combination situation, but she still needed a near-perfect score as time expired.

“Tyler (Wright) is really good and the ocean was kinda on my side that one,” said Simmers. “I just want to thank all of my friends, all of my sponsors, my dad, my coach, and my brother. This is probably the craziest moment of my life. Looking in from out there in the water and just seeing everything and everyone on the beach. You can’t even see a spot of sand. It’s crazy. I’m just really happy right now.”

Simmers caused one of the biggest upsets of the day on her way to the Final, eliminating defending event winner and five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Semifinals. The match was the first time the CT rookie and five-time World Champion have competed head-to-head. Halfway through the heat, Simmers whipped several turns on a well-overhead left to earn a solid 7.50. Simmers then attacked another big section, posting a 6.17 and raising the requirement on Moore. Moore answered back under priority but her two final attempts were not enough to reclaim the lead.

Current No. 2 Tyler Wright Clinches Spot in WSL Final 5

Tyler Wright (AUS) became the second competitor to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5 today, after securing herself a place in the Final. This will be Wright’s first appearance at the Rip Curl WSL Finals. This is also the first time she has been in contention for a World Title in the last five years.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in World Title contention so the main thing for me is to stay in my process,” said Wright. “I have ideas and thoughts about what I want to do. I think that’s where the joy is going to come back into it for me. I haven’t finished a year in five years so that would be pretty cool. I’m just going to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

Wright’s road to the Final started with overcoming season standout Caroline Marks (USA) in the Semifinals. Marks struck first, earning a 4.83, but couldn’t find a backup score until the last minutes of the heat. Wright was in tune with the ocean and capitalized on two lefts to post a 6.90 and 6.83.

Ethan Ewing Moves to No. 3 on the Rankings

Ethan Ewing (AUS) moved from fourth to third on the rankings today with his clutch runner-up finish. This marks his second Final appearance of the year. He made it all the way to the Rip Curl WSL Finals last year and is close to doing so again with only two events left to go.

Ewing started his day by overcoming an in-form Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in the Quarterfinals. He then met fellow Australian Ryan Callinan in the Semifinals for a rematch of their Bells Beach Final earlier this year. Ewing emerged victorious once again by landing a tail-slide maneuver and posting an excellent 8.00. Callinan responded with a beautiful grab-rail carve but the wave didn’t offer any further opportunity and his great run in Brazil came to a close.

“It was pretty amazing here,” said Ewing. “This crowd here is unlike any other event we get to surf in, it’s been an amazing week. I have my dad here with me and I’ve been staying with a good crew, and I’m really happy. I want to say a huge thank you to the fans for being so nice to me this week, thank you.”

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Final Results:
1- Caitlin Simmers (USA) 14.66
2 – Tyler Wright (AUS) 9.80

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Final Results:
1 – Yago Dora (BRA) 14.83
2 – Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.83

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.73 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 10.50
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.67 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 9.56

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 15.50 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.00
HEAT 2: Yago Dora (BRA) 10.60 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 6.50

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 9.40
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.77 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.33
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.00 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.13
HEAT 4: John John Florence (HAW) 15.43 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.34

• Finals Day Called ON at VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona
• Men’s Quarterfinals Start at 6:35 AM GMT-3 (1135pm Friday nite in Hawaii)
• Women’s and Men’s Semifinals and Finals to Follow

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Saturday, July 1, 2023) – Finals Day has been called ON at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in clean, four-to-six-foot swell. Men’s Quarterfinals will start at 6:35 a.m. GMT-3. Women’s and men’s Semifinals and Finals will follow. The winners of the 2023 VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona will be crowned by this afternoon.

 The first heat of the day will feature event wildcard Samuel Pupo (BRA) up against Ryan Callinan (AUS). Pupo finished runner-up at this event last year and is well on his way to another Finals appearance today.

Men’s Quarterfinal, Heat 3, will be a battle of two fellow Brazilians as injury replacement Jadson Andre and event standout Yago Dora compete for a spot in the Semifinals. Andre caused two big upsets yesterday, taking down defending event winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) and current World No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (US).

Current World No. 2 Tyler Wright (AUS) is close to her fifth Finals appearance of the season, but will first have to make it past Caroline Marks (USA) in the first heat of the women’s Semifinals. Marks won the last event in El Salvador and is now hoping for back-to-back event wins.

Defending event winner and current World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW) will go into Finals day with plenty of confidence as she has clinched a spot in the WSL Final 5. Moore has already won three events this year and is now looking for her fourth. Championship Tour rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) stands in her way and is hoping to cause a big upset in their Semifinal, Heat 2 matchup.

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
HEAT 4: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Friday, June 30, 2023) – The women’s Semifinalists and men’s Quarterfinalists have been decided after a full day of competition at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). Despite the challenging conditions, competitors demonstrated their expert skills and put on an exciting show for the passionate crowd at Praia de Itauna.

Today’s competition was full of big upsets as the top three ranked men, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), and Joao Chianca (BRA) all faced early elimination. As the day came to a close, five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) became the first competitor to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5, confirming her place in the 2023 Rip Curl WSL Finals. The stage is now set for Finals Day tomorrow.

Current World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW) has been confirmed as the first surfer to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5. Her confirmation comes after the early exit of both Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) here in Brazil. Moore’s brilliant 2023 campaign has already earned her three event victories this season. She is well on her way to another after overcoming Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the Quarterfinals today.

“We have two events left after this so it obviously takes a little pressure off and I’m super stoked,” said Moore. “We all want to get as high on the rankings as we can by the end of the season so we have a spot in the Finals. Going into every year my goal is definitely to make it to Trestles and I’m really stoked and looking forward to it.”

Rising-star Sakura Johnson looked to spoil Moore’s chances of advancing in their back-and-forth Quarterfinal battle. Sakura Johnson’s 7.17 (out of possible 10) for a critical backside turn put Moore under pressure with the clock winding down. The five-time World Champion responded in decimating form, posting an excellent 8.83 to secure her place in the Semifinals again.

“Bettylou (Sakura Johnson) is someone who I have a lot of respect for,” said Moore. “It’s crazy a few years ago she was taking part in one of my Moore Aloha events, so to see her come up and represent Hawaii and what we’re all about on the world stage. To get to compete with her and have a few good matches is really cool. The energy is electric here in Brazil and I really enjoy my time here. It’s good energy all around.”

Current World No. 2 Tyler Wright (AUS) has earned her sixth Semifinals appearance of the season today after making it past Gabriela Bryan (HAW) in the Quarterfinals. Wright matched her powerful surfing beautifully to the waves of Praia de Itauna, posting a near-excellent 7.83. The two-time World Champion will now face Caroline Marks (USA) in the Semifinals.

“You have to use a lot of flexibility in your mindset to know that it’s not going to go as planned out there,” said Wright. “In that heat, there were multiple unexpected things for me. You have to keep going and know your direction. It’s about adaptability here in Brazil and knowing it’s going to be a lot of work. The outcome is what it is and the only reflection is how you stay in your process.”

Rising-Stars Caroline Marks and Caitlin Simmers Make Moves to Stay Near Top of the Rankings

One of the highest scores of the women’s Quarterfinals, an excellent 8.33, went to Caroline Marks (USA) for her series of explosive frontside turns. The score turned the heat on Lakey Peterson (USA) right at the three-minute mark. She then added a 5.83 to force Peterson’s requirement higher. Peterson had one more opportunity but her 6.10 came up just short of the 7.17 requirement.

The last heat of the day featured two young talents, CT rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) and CT sophomore Molly Picklum (AUS). It was a close battle but in the last minutes, Simmers closed the door on Picklum by posting a 6.83. This was a significant heat win for Simmers who currently sits at No. 7 on the rankings and could now be closer to moving back into the Top 5.

Injury Replacement Jadson Andre Eliminates Current No. 1 Griffin Colapinto and Defending Event Winner Filipe Toledo 

Injury replacement and former CT surfer Jadson Andre (BRA) achieved the near impossible today, eliminating defending event winner and current World No. 2 Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the men’s Round of 16. Toledo held the lead for the majority of the heat, but at the three-minute mark, Andre flipped the script by posting a 5.17. Toledo has won this event for the past three consecutive years and his early exit comes as a big upset. Unfortunately, Toledo fell on his last attempt and suffered an injury that has caused him to seek medical attention.

Andre started the day with another significant heat win, overcoming current No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (USA) in the Elimination Round. Andre opened with a solid 7.00 which put him in the lead the entirety of the match. Colapinto earned his best score of 5.23 at the end of the heat but it wasn’t enough to meet the requirement. This marks the first time Colapinto has not made a final in the last three events.

“It’s always special when a Brazilian get’s to surf in front of a big crowd, we love it,” said Andre. “I knew from the beginning I was going to surf against the top seed since I’m the injury replacement. It’s a great opportunity to just surf have fun and try to win heats. I feel like I just won the event with how stoked I am.”

Event Wildcard Pupo Takes Out World Champion Medina and Current No. 3 Chianca 

Event wildcard Samuel Pupo (BRA) also caused huge upsets today, taking out current World No. 3 Joao Chianca (BRA) and three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) on his way to securing a place in the Quarterfinals. Pupo missed the Mid-season Cut earlier this year but today he demonstrated that he can still keep up with the world’s best. Pupo will now come up against Ryan Callinan (AUS) in the Quarterfinals.

“Coming as a wildcard, you always know that you’re going to get the highest-ranked guys, and I got both Brazilians and both my best friends,” said Pupo. “Joao (Chianca) and I have been traveling the whole world together, and I know how much this event means to him because he’s fighting for a World Title now. It was just such a weird feeling when I won. I was so sad at the same time because it was such an important heat for him to get more points and get his spot for Trestles. But, I think he is going to do it in the next two stops. I’ll be cheering for him.”

Australia’s Ethan Ewing and Ryan Callinan secured their spots in the Quarterfinals with clutch performances in the challenging conditions. Current No. 4 Ewing overcame an in-form Seth Moniz (HAW) by capitalizing on a right-hander to earn a 6.83.  Callinan threw one of the most exciting turns of the day, a massive tail-slide, right in the pocket of a large wall. The maneuver earned him a 7.67 and the heat win over Kanoa Igarashi (JPN).

Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) emerged victorious in his Round of 16 matchup with fellow Hawaiian Ian Gentil. Florence earned the highest heat total of the Round of 16, a 14.17 (out of possible 20) by showcasing his signature variety and style. Barron Mamiya (HAW) earned his third Quarterfinals appearance of the season by taking out World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) in the Round of 16. Mamiya has yet to make a Semifinals this year and hopes this will be the event he finally breaks through.

Also advancing to the Quarterfinals were Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) and Yago Dora (BRA).

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Elimination Round Results (Heats 3 – 4):
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.33 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.16
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.73 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.66

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.60 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.33
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.16 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 13.10
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 13.77
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.40 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.30

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.30 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 9.30
HEAT 2: Ian Gentil (HAW) 13.50 DEF. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 11.83
HEAT 3: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.00 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 11.00
HEAT 4: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 13.73 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.34
HEAT 5: Seth Moniz (HAW) 7.97 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 6.33
HEAT 6: Jordy Smith (RSA) 8.57 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 6.20
HEAT 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.70 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 9.27
HEAT 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.60 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.27

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 10.20 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 9.27
HEAT 2: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.50 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 12.20
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.90 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 9.60
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.66 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 11.76
HEAT 5: Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.07 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.40
HEAT 6: Yago Dora (BRA) 12.67 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 7.43
HEAT 7: John John Florence (HAW) 14.17 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.90
HEAT 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.14 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 7.26

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 3: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
HEAT 4: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

• Full Day of Competition was Called ON at VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona
• Women’s Elimination Round, Heats 3 and 4, Started at 6:35 AM GMT-3 (1130pm Thursday nite in Hawaii)
• Men’s Elimination Round, Men’s Round of 16, and Women’s Quarterfinals to Follow
• Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Friday, June 30, 2023) – A full day of competition has been called ON at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), in three-to-five-foot and building swell. Women’s Elimination Round, Heats 3 and 4, will start at 6:35 a.m. GMT-3. Men’s Elimination Round, Men’s Round of 16, and Women’s Quarterfinals will follow. After the women’s Elimination Round, overlapping heat format may be used depending on the conditions.

Current No.4 Molly Picklum (AUS) and Tour veteran Johanne Defay (FRA) will surf in the first heat of the day. Picklum has not missed a Quarterfinals this season and will maintain that record if she can make it past Defay.

Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) recently climbed into the Top 5 on the rankings and hopes to further solidify that position by earning a spot in the Quarterfinals. She will be feeling the support of her local crowd as she tries to overcome CT rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) in the women’s Elimination Round, Heat 4.

The men’s Elimination Round will open with current No.1 Griffin Colapinto (USA). Colapinto hopes to better his 17th-place result at this event last year. He will be up against injury replacement Jadson Andre (BRA).

Heat 3 of the men’s Elimination Round is sure to be full of fireworks as three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and event wildcard Samuel Pupo (BRA) take to the water. Both had standout performances on Day 1 of competition and will need to give it their all to advance to the Round of 16.

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Elimination Round Matchups (Heats 3 – 4):
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
HEAT 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
HEAT 2: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 6: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA)
HEAT 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 8: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

RESULTS IN PROGRESS HERE

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.