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

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.

“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.”

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.”

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.”

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO 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.