Women’s Quarterfinal and Men’s Round of 32 Matchups Decided at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero

Marks, Picklum and Wright Lead Women’s Quarterfinals Charge
Former Event Winners Defay, Simmers in Sync with Supertubos
Late Heat Upsets Decide Men’s Round of 32
Next Call: Monday, March 17 at 6:50 a.m. GMT (10 hours ahead)

Pictured: Current World No. 1 and defending World Champion Caity Simmers (USA) is headed to the Quarterfinal for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero Credit: © WSL / Laurent Masurel

PRAIA DE SUPERTUBOS, Peniche, Portugal (Sunday, March 16, 2025) — Today, the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), completed the women’s and men’s Elimination Round, and the women’s Round of 16. It wasn’t perfect Supertubos, but the two-to-four foot surf still offered critical sections for major maneuvers. The next call will be on Monday, March 17 at 6:50 a.m. GMT.

Marks, Picklum and Wright Lead Women’s Quarterfinal Charge

Former World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Caroline Marks (USA) put on a solid performance in the Round of 16 to defeat Isabella Nichols (AUS). Marks’ top scores came from finding the set waves, and she showed why her backhand attack is one of the best in the game.

“It kind of feels like home, it’s a lot better than Florida so I’m psyched on it,” Marks said. “I surfed a brand new board and it felt really good, so I’m grateful to Matt Biolos and the whole team. I think the next time we surf it’s probably going to be completely different conditions, so I’ll just try and be in the moment and focus on myself and hopefully the ocean cooperates.”

It was a tight tussle between Molly Picklum (AUS) and Luana Silva (BRA), both scoring solid rides, and one wave could’ve made all the difference. Picklum had more fire and determination in her surfing, and her strong start kept her ahead of Silva to progress to the next round. This marks Picklum’s third consecutive Quarterfinal of the season.

“It’s Portugal, it’s beachies and I feel like I trust my surfing and I’ve got even more to give,” Picklum said. “Luana is such a good surfer and she really came out trying to prove a point, so I knew it was going to be a fight and I’m happy I got that one.”

It was a battle of CT veterans with two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) coming up against perennial threat Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Despite feeling under the weather, Wright got to work quickly to earn two scores before going into defense mode, and keeping Fitzgibbons off any good scoring opportunities.

“I haven’t been feeling so well, so I didn’t have much more than two waves in me,” Wright said. “Every wave I took off her was a win for me, because I couldn’t do much more. Hopefully I’ll bounce back tomorrow. The 15 years of experience definitely helps me to just produce something on demand, even though I haven’t been surfing much lately, I’m stoked when I can get it done.”

Former Event Winners Defay, Simmers in Sync with Supertubos

Experience prevailed for the defending event winner Johanne Defay (FRA). She came from behind to take the win over Vahine Fierro (FRA) and book her spot in the Quarterfinals. Defay’s wave selection was on point, providing her cleaner faces, and more walled up sections to get the better of the exchange with Fierro.

“I got that wave that really opened up for me, but the rest was hard. I feel like I couldn’t find an open face,” Defay said. “My goal was really to not sit close to Vahine, keep some distance, and just surf whatever you get. I’m super happy to get that win, and I feel so supported here. It’s really nice to have my last event in Europe.”

Shining bright in the Yellow Jersey, Caitlin Simmers (USA) seemed to be having fun in the Supertubos lineup. Simmers was casually throwing down some of the most progressive surfing seen in the women’s draw. The technical ability from Simmers was the point of difference between her and event wildcard Yolanda Hopkins (POR), when the Californian punted a clean frontside straight air, grabbing her rail for a 7.67 (out of a possible 10).

“This is what I practice for every day south side of the pier, this is what I wait for all year on Tour,” Simmers said. “We get like two days like this on Tour. I’m a small person so I like small waves. I love surfing, and I love competing, and I don’t want to stop doing it. So you just have to do whatever you need to in a heat to make it work.”

Late Heat Upsets Decide Men’s Round of 32

Rookie Marco Mignot (FRA) survived a grinding heat as the low tide really started to make things difficult. Mignot, Seth Moniz (HAW), and 2023 event winner Joao Chianca (BRA) surfed anything and everything to try and manufacture a decent score. A last-ditch effort from Moniz saw the Hawaiian get the small score required to bump Chianca out of contention.

“It’s hard to spot the good waves out there,” Mignot said. “There are these nice double-ups that give you a lot to work with, but you don’t see them, and then you let it go. I’m glad I found a couple, it was fun. I want to keep learning, keep growing, and these challenges make you stronger. I have to switch that mindset and go like I’m a warrior, I’m hungry, and I have to fight for this.”

The judges rewarded the speed and flow from Liam O’Brien (AUS) who snuck into the top spot in his Elimination Round heat with a 6.50 (out of a possible 10). The heat was dominated by the fast and powerful surfing from Edgard Groggia (BRA) who held the lead for the majority. Groggia built a score to create space between him and Ian Gouveia (BRA).

A total of twenty-nine waves were ridden in the final heat of the men’s Elimination Round. Skating over the sections for loose and fast surfing, it was Samuel Pupo (BRA) who advanced to the next round ahead of Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) and George Pittar (AUS). In his last wave, Boukhiam earned the highest score of the heat to place him into second, and eliminate Pittar.

“I feel like speed is probably the main thing in my surfing so I can use that to my advantage,” said Pupo. “It’s been a tricky year so far, but it’s almost like I’m starting the year now with five events left.”

Unlike the other heats in the men’s Elimination Rounds, Deivid Silva’s (BRA) explosive backhand and quick-paced approach in the tricky conditions earned him a solid win over Jake Marshall (USA), and sent event wildcard and local favorite Frederico Morais (POR) home. Marshall also moves onto the Round of 32 as he searches for his first CT win.

“It’s difficult out there this morning, but I was more relaxed after getting those two waves at the start,” Silva said. “Every heat win is important to get more points, so I’m really happy to continue.”

Pictured: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) moves onto the Quarterfinal for the second consecutive time this season. Credit: © WSL / Manel Geada

Bryan and Kenworthy Round out Remaining Quarterfinals Spots

The 2024 Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad (USA) faced Rookie Bella Kenworthy (USA) in the Round of 16. For most of the heat, Lindblad’s two early scores kept her in the lead. It proved to not be enough to maintain the top spot, as Kenworthy was able to take back the lead, and booked her ticket to the Quarterfinals.

“I’m just trying to take it heat by heat,” said Kenworthy. “I try to do the best I can, actually like try to surf a couple of waves decently.”

In the last heat of the day, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) exchanged powerful performances resulting in close scores. In a nail-biting finish, Johnson’s final effort fell short of what was required. Following her third place finish in Abu Dhabi, this will be Bryan’s second consecutive Quarterfinals.

“As cliche as it is, taking each heat as it comes,” said Bryan. “I forgot about yesterday, focused on today, can’t even focus on the next round, or anything. Just taking each moment as it comes, and doing my best, just try to focus on me.”

The next call will be on Monday, March 17 at 6:50 a.m. GMT for a potential 7:05 a.m start.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 8.50 DEF. Bella Kenworthy (USA) 8.33, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 5.30
HEAT 2: Luana Silva (BRA) 9.80 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.60, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 8.56

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.24 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 7.90
HEAT 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) 9.37 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 9.00
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.03 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 8.87
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.67 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 6.54
HEAT 5: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.24 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 8.03
HEAT 6: Erin Brooks (CAN) 13.67 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.34
HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) 11.33 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 8.37
HEAT 8: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.06 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 12.00

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN)
HEAT 4: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.43 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 9.73, Frederico Morais (POR) 8.07
HEAT 2: Marco Mignot (FRA) 9.40 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 8.50, Joao Chianca (BRA) 8.37
HEAT 3: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 11.63 DEF. Edgard Groggia (BRA) 11.27, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 6.80
HEAT 4: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.50 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.33, George Pittar (AUS) 11.06

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 2: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS)
HEAT 3: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 4: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Gatien Delahaye (FRA)
HEAT 6: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 7: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
HEAT 8: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
HEAT 9: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA)
HEAT 10: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS)
HEAT 11: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)
HEAT 12: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 13: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 14: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 15: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW)
HEAT 16: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Edgard Groggia (BRA)

PRIOR UPDATES BELOW…

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero Powers Through Opening Day

Former Event Winners Stamp Down Authority at Supertubos
Cleland, Brooks, and Fierro Lead Rookie Class in Portugal
Solid Start for Fitzgibbons, Bryan and Colapinto

Pictured: Italo Ferreira (BRA) took to the air in the men’s Opening Round and earned the highest heat total of the day. Credit: © WSL / Manel Geada

PRAIA DE SUPERTUBOS, Peniche, Portugal (Saturday, March 15, 2025) — The opening day of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, Stop No. 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), got off to an energetic start at Supertubos. The world’s best showcased their skills in the dynamic conditions and after a full day competition, the men’s and women’s Opening Rounds are complete, and the Elimination Round matchups are set. The next call will be on Sunday, March 16 at 6:45 a.m. GMT.

Former Event Winners Stamp Down Authority at Supertubos

Caity Simmers (USA) is back in the Yellow Jersey and maintained a steady lead over defending event winner Johanne Defay (FRA), and event wildcard Yolanda Hopkins (POR) to take the win in her Opening Round.

“I somehow got a bunch of waves where I could do three turns and I was like what the heck is going on,” Simmers reacted. “I was searching for a section where I could do one good turn, and then just do a big foam climb, but I never got that big section. I passed up on a really good wave though that I’m bummed about, because I could have done a big roundhouse.”

Defay managed to hold off a determined Hopkins in the last few minutes of the heat when she earned her best score to snag the second advancing spot into the Round of 16.

Defending event winner Griffin Colapinto (USA) showed why he’s had so much success at Supertubos in the past. Colapinto found a perfect little barrel to tuck in deep and come out with speed to throw down the hammer into the oncoming lip for an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10).

“I made a priority mistake and tried to move away from George when that wave came through,” Colapinto explained. “We split the peak and it turned out the left was better. It’s amazing to be back in Portugal, this place has some fond memories.”

The Yellow Jersey did not seem to add any extra weight to the shoulders of Italo Ferreira (BRA) in his Opening Round heat. The World Champion racked up the highest total of the morning with an excellent 16.43 (out of a possible 20). Ferreira took some time to find his rhythm at Supertubos, but showed his form when he launched into the air for one of the biggest backside rotations and banging the end section with speed for an 8.83. The 2018 and 2019 event winner quickly backed it up with a 7.60 to take the win ahead of Rookie Jackson Bunch (HAW).

“I saw Jackson [Bunch] get the 7 for that air, and I was like I know how to play this game,” Ferreira said. “It feels good to be here in the Yellow Jersey, I’m grateful I got those opportunities in that heat.”

Cleland, Brooks, and Fierro Lead Rookie Class in Portugal

Rookies Alan Cleland (MEX), Erin Brooks (CAN), and Vahine Fierro (FRA) took big Opening Round heat wins in their debut at Supertubos. Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Joel Vaughan (AUS) also held on to second place in their heats to advance to the Round of 32. Meanwhile, Marco Mignot (FRA), George Pittar (AUS), Edgard Groggia (BRA), and Bella Kenworthy (USA) will get another chance to keep their campaign in Portugal alive in the Elimination Round when competition resumes.

“Coming here I knew I had some sort of advantage to where I live,” Cleland said. “It actually got really grindy compared to this morning. I just had to manufacture some scores and I knew the two big dogs in my heat were going to throw some hammers and I was pretty scared, but I’m stoked to come out on top in the end and get a couple of waves.”

Continuing to prove her versatility, Fierro earned her first Opening Round heat win of the year by utilizing her strong backhand to advance over Brisa Hennessy (CRC) and Isabella Nichols (AUS).

“Yeah, it feels nice. It’s my first round one heat win of the year, so it’s cool to just jump into the third round,” Fierro said. “I was really happy with the way I was in the rhythm out there. I could kind of see where the waves were. It wasn’t the best scores, but I was just really comfortable in the water and that was a cool feeling.”

Solid Start for Fitzgibbons, Bryan, and Colapinto

CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) enjoyed a confidence-boosting Opening Round after earning her first heat win of the season. Fitzgibbons secured the win over former event winner Caroline Marks (USA) and two-time event runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA). Fitzgibbons expertly read the changing conditions at Supertubos to build on her score and managed to skip the dreaded Elimination Round.

“It’s pretty neat to be back in front of the glass, it’s been a while,” Fitzgibbons said. “I love everything that’s involved to get here on the start line and that’s definitely not going anywhere, I don’t want to get booted off, I just love surfing too much.”

Everything seemed to click for 2022 Rookie of the Year Gabriela Bryan (HAW) when she racked up the highest heat total in the women’s Opening Round to defeat two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS). Bryan’s power was the point of difference on her rides, earning her a total of 12.33 and a spot in the Round of 16.

“I saw a little right out there and I knew if I can get a clean face, then I could open up, so I think I got kind of lucky,” Bryan said. “It’s way harder out there than what it looks like. Abu Dhabi was such a confidence-booster for me. Pool events are so tricky, because you really have to focus on yourself, and it was a really good reminder that my power surfing is one of the best, so if I can do that I should be good.”

After missing out on the first two stops due to an elbow injury, Crosby Colapinto (USA) is back and ready to compete. Colapinto returned to the Tour with a heat win against Rio Waida (INA) and Marco Mignot (FRA). Fresh off a runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi, Waida had a solid performance and scored just enough to get past Mignot.

Watch LIVE
The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero holds a competition window now through March 25, 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, and the free WSL App. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero is proudly supported by MEO, Rip Curl, Visit Portugal , Corona Cero, Red Bull, YETI, Bonsoy, Surfline, True Surf, I-SEA, Vissla, EDP, Millenum, and Hertz.For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.73 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 8.04, Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.90
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 10.17 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.33, Luana Silva (BRA) 6.94
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.24 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 7.97, Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 7.64
HEAT 4: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 9.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.50, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 8.33
HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.33 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.80, Bella Kenworthy (USA) 7.83
HEAT 6: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 7.50 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 5.27, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 4.30MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 7.57, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 6.47
HEAT 2: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 10.53 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 8.60, Marco Mignot (FRA) 6.70
HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.00 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.40, George Pittar (AUS) 9.27
HEAT 4: Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.83 DEF. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 8.64, Liam O’Brien (AUS) 8.33
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 7.74, Seth Moniz (HAW) 4.23
HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.43 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 11.30, Frederico Morais (POR) 8.94
HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.50 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 9.90, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 7.57
HEAT 8: Alan Cleland (MEX) 8.40 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 7.37, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 4.30
HEAT 9: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 10.00 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 7.87, Jake Marshall (USA) 7.63
HEAT 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.10 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.87, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 6.44
HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.34 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 10.20, Joao Chianca (BRA) 8.34
HEAT 12: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.17 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.60, Deivid Silva (BRA) 1.17MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Women’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Frederico Morais (POR)
HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Edgard Groggia (BRA)
HEAT 4: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. George Pittar (AUS) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)

About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

Men’s and Women’s Opening Rounds were Called ON at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero

Competition Starts at 8:00 a.m. GMT (10 hours ahead …10pm Friday nite in Hawaii)
Men’s Opening Round, followed by Women’s Opening Round and Men’s Elimination Round
Watch Live at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero will start today at 8:00 a.m. GMT with the Men’s Opening Round, Women’s Opening Round, and Men’s Elimination Round. Credit: © WSL / Thiago Diz

PRAIA DE SUPERTUBOS, Peniche, Portugal (Saturday, March 15, 2025) — The MEO Rip Curl Portugal Pro Presented by Corona Cero has been called ON, starting at 8:00 a.m. GMT. Stop No. 3 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) will begin with the Men’s Opening Round, followed by Women’s Opening Round and Men’s Elimination Round with 30-minute heats. The high-energy beach break, Supertubos, will offer four-to-seven-foot waves for the first day of competition.

CT Rookies will face the dynamic conditions of Supertubos for the first time, including 27-year-old Edgard Groggia (BRA). Groggia will kick off competition with Heat 1 of the men’s Opening Round with Cole Houshmand (USA), and the Lexus Pipe Pro back-to-back winner Barron Mamiya (HAW). Rookie Marco Mignot (FRA), who competed as a wildcard in the 2024 event, will face 2024 Rookie of the Year Crosby Colapinto (USA), and Surf Abu Dhabi Pro runner-up Rio Waida (INA) in Heat 2. Colapinto makes a return to the Tour after missing the first two events due to an injury sustained while practicing at Pipeline. At last year’s event Colapinto earned a semifinal finish. While George Pittar (AUS) will face Colapinto’s brother and event defending winner Griffin Colapinto (USA) and replacement surfer Ian Gentil (HAW).

2023 event runner-up Jack Robinson (AUS) will face compatriot Liam O’Brien (AUS) and event wildcard Gatien Delahaye (FRA). Delahaye will make his CT debut after being awarded the wildcard spot as the highest-ranked surfer in the Europe region on the Challenger Series. The men’s Opening Round will finish with the Lexus Pipe Pro runner-up Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) who will take on a consistent Miguel Pupo (BRA) and 2025 CT returner Deivid Silva (BRA). This season Pupo has had back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, while Silva looks to earn himself a spot in the Round of 32.

Following the completion of the men’s Opening Round, the women will take to the water for the first time. Heat 1 will feature 2023 World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) versus two-time event runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA), and CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS). Molly Picklum’s (AUS) finals appearance in Abu Dhabi earned her a current rank of World No. 2. She’ll look to maintain her lead in Portugal, but first will have to battle Rookie Erin Brooks (CAN), who Picklum previously defeated in the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro semifinal, and Luana Silva (BRA) who will look to make it past the Round of 16 for the first time this season.

The two most recent women’s event winners, Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Johanne Defay (FRA), will face off in Heat 3 against wildcard Yolanda Hopkins (POR). Hopkins, a two-time Olympian, advanced to the Quarterfinals of her only previous CT appearance at the event in 2023. The 26-year-old will be eager to make a statement after narrowly missing CT qualification last season. Simmers, the reigning World Champion and current World No. 1, claimed her first CT victory at the event in 2023, while Defay, who is 16 weeks pregnant, earned her most recent CT win in Portugal in 2024. In the event following Defay’s win last season, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Simmers snatched victory from her in the dying seconds of the Final, a moment Defay likely still has fresh in her mind.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Edgard Groggia (BRA)
HEAT 2: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. George Pittar (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 4: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Gatien Delahaye (FRA)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA)
HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Frederico Morais (POR)
HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 8: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX)
HEAT 9: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Alejo Muniz (BRA)
HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 5: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 6: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)