Courtney Conlogue & Jack Robinson Finish in Second Place

Jack Robinson & Molly Picklum Bring Yellow Jerseys Home to Australia

A massive day of action in Portugal gave the CT rankings a good shake-up. Now, just two events remain before the Mid-season Cut narrows the field following Stop No. 5, the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. The stakes are even higher this year as the world’s best surfers are also eyeing Olympic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games through the CT rankings.

Conditions were somewhat unruly at first this morning but gradually cleaned up throughout the day to provide an incredible day of high-performance surfing as well as deep and technical barrels. The wind switched offshore in the afternoon, just in time for the Semis and Finals to show the true potential of the wave at Supertubos.

When the dust settled on an epic day in the Portuguese sun, Australia’s Jack Robinson and Molly Picklum retained the rankings lead and yellow Leader jersey heading to their home country for the next two CT events. Joao Chianca (BRA) climbed up a spot up into second, and Caitlin Simmers (USA) took a giant leap from 9th to 2nd, now tied with 5X World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) after her win today.

In an outstanding performance, California’s Caitlin Simmers (USA) became the first rookie to win an event on the Women’s CT since Lakey Peterson (USA) at the 2012 Nike US Open of Surfing. The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal was only her third event at the highest level of professional surfing. After a commendable 9th and a 5th place in the first two events of the season, the 17-year-old went all the way in Peniche, claiming her career-first CT victory and moving all the way up to 2nd on the rankings. Far from a walk in the park, Simmers had to regroup after a difficult start in the Final and showed resilience to keep fighting, turning the heat with two good scores in the later part of the matchup.

“I really can’t believe it honestly,” said Simmers. “Courtney (Conlogue) got really tubed, and I was like ok this is starting. I tried to get some away from her and paddle up and down the beach to find one and then it happened and I was really happy. This is my favorite kind of wave, I surf beach breaks pretty much everyday. I’m really grateful for everyone here, Portugal is really cool. I’m grateful for surfing, and I don’t know what else to say, thank you!”

In the Final, it was Conlogue who started with a bang, finding the excellent barrel she had been chasing all day, to post an incredible 9.00 ride early on. It took almost 30 minutes for Simmers to really get involved in the heat, but she eventually did, finding her own good barrel for a 7.17 to get right back in the battle. The young rookie wasted no time to back it up with a two-turn combination under her opponent’s priority and turned the heat with a 6.33 to apply pressure on Conlogue.

The tour veteran got a good opportunity on a solid left but unfortunately hit a foamy patch on the bottom turn that threw her off, losing a scoring opportunity and the priority which eventually cost her the win.

After the worst possible start to her season, Courtney Conlogue (USA) bounced back in a big way, making her first Final appearance since Tahiti last year. Coming in ranked 16th after two Elimination Round losses in Hawaii, Conlogue was in real danger of not making the Mid-season Cut. She has made her attempt at a comeback story much easier with the runner-up finish today. Conlogue was a standout all-event at Supertubos, taking maximum risks and hunting the biggest barrels out in the lineup, true to her charger mentality. CT win No.14 may have to wait for Conlogue, but the Californian has definitely found her winning formula at the right time. The tour now heads to Bells Beach where she has won three times in the past.

“I’m honestly just so grateful to get a result finally,” Conlogue said. “Tricky conditions but I was very grateful to share the Final with Caity (Simmers), and off to Bells now. I’m just going to keep manifesting good results.”

Conlogue and Simmers made their way into the Final after overcoming defending event winner Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) and Macy Callaghan (AUS) respectively in the Semifinals.

Joao Chianca (BRA) could not be denied his career-first CT win today in Peniche, putting on an incredible display in four consecutive rounds of competition. The surfer from Saquarema built momentum throughout the day and eventually posted back-to-back excellent heat totals, both above 17 points (out of possible 20), in the Semis and Final to claim the title. After battling his way back on tour through the Challenger Series (CS) last season, Chianca is having a breakthrough season with two equal 3rd place finishes in Hawaii and today’s win vaulting him into the second position on the world rankings.

“Five minutes after I paddled out I just realized how good the waves were and how much I love everything about this,” an emotional Chianca said. “Perfect barrels, perfect beach break. I just told myself to enjoy the process, you’ve been doing everything you can to make it happen. I was thinking all of this in the water, I was thinking if you don’t get it now you will get it later. And it’s incredible my time came. Since I qualified for the tour I’ve been dreaming about my first win, and it’s incredible how it all came together here in Portugal.”

The Final got off to an exciting start with Robinson and Chianca threading barrels on almost all set waves, both locking in precious tube time on their forehand. The Brazilian got the upper hand on the first exchange with a 7.83 over Robinson’s 6.17. Chianca continued to build momentum with another great barrel ride punctuated by a big finishing turn for an excellent 8.50, putting Robinson against the ropes.

At the 10-minute mark, Chianca made an impossible barrel almost look easy, posting a 9.07 for a very late drop into a long tube. Never completely satisfied, he swiftly found another incredible barrel on his backhand. Robinson did not sit back to watch the Chianca show, but instead continued to roam the lineup and eventually found his own, deep, technical barrel to post an 8.97 to get back in the fight. Time ran out for Robinson unfortunately, who did not get another opportunity.

Jack Robinson (AUS) continued to impress at Supertubos, further cementing himself as the current best surfer in the world with the runner-up finish today. With a win, a 2nd, and a 3rd place finish so far this season, his ability to adapt to a variety of conditions and dominate his competition remains unmatched. Rising steadily through the ranks over the last couple of seasons on the CT, the Australian is making a strong case for a potential first World Title for his country since Mick Fanning (AUS) last won ten years ago.

“I’ve got a lot of gratitude right now and I’m just super grateful to be here in Portugal,” Robinson said. “I had a good event. I’m just going to try to keep the journey and the momentum going, it’s just step by step for me and I’m just super happy.”

Chianca and Robinson had previously defeated Callum Robson (AUS) and Yago Dora (BRA) respectively in epic Semifinal clashes on their way to the Final.

Two of the most loved and supported surfers in Portugal, World Champions Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) both suffered upsetting losses in the Round of 16. Ferreira found one of the best scores of the day, an incredible 9.33 for a deep barrel perfectly ridden but eventually couldn’t back it up high enough and was eliminated by Yago Dora (BRA). Medina fell to last-minute heroics from former event winner Griffin Colapinto (USA). Colapinto needed a big number to overcome the 3X World Champion and turned in a near-perfect 9.50 in the dying moments.

World No.1 Molly Picklum (AUS) advanced one round ahead of her direct competition, 5x World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), by making it into the Quarterfinals here at Supertubos. Picklum will now head to Australia as the only woman wearing the yellow Leader’s jersey. In her second season among the world’s best, Picklum has found her groove and is putting on a fantastic start with two equal 5th places and her maiden win at Sunset recently.

“Going home in the yellow jersey is everything,” Picklum said. “All my team will be there, my friends and family so that’s a pretty cool moment in itself. I feel like I’m in a good space, heat-wise and surfing, not taking any momentum really, I feel like each event has its challenges and we’ll see what Bells brings. Of course I’m super psyched and kind of feel pressure-less and free to surf and rip.”

Men’s Championship Tour Rankings following MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal:
1 – Jack Robinson (AUS) 23,885 points
2 – Joao Chianca (BRA) 22,170
3 – Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16,075
4 – Caio Ibelli (BRA) 14,150
5 – Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13,875

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Final Results:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.50 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.83

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Final Results:
HEAT 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 17.57 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 15.14

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.27 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.73
HEAT 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.00 DEF. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 6.04

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Semifinal Results:
HEAT 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 17.10 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.17
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.17 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 12.40

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.80 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.40
HEAT 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.60 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.83
HEAT 3: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.03 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 7.94
HEAT 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.93 DEF. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 8.66

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 12.27
HEAT 2: Callum Robson (AUS) 15.40 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.33
HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 5.67
HEAT 4: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.33 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 7.47

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.90 DEF. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 6.93
HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.06 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.17
HEAT 3: Callum Robson (AUS) 10.67 DEF. Joan Duru (FRA) 9.63
HEAT 4: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 8.53 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 8.40
HEAT 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) 15.93 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.33
HEAT 6: Rio Waida (INA) 12.20 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 7.56
HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.93 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.73
HEAT 8: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 17.00 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.33

The next stop on the 2023 WSL Championship Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The competition’s waiting period will open on Tuesday, April 4, and close on Friday, March 14, 2023. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and SporTV.

The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona is proudly supported by, MEO, Rip Curl, Corona, YETI, Shiseido, Red Bull, Apple Watch, Craft 1861, True Surf , Portugal Tourism, EDP, Millennium Bank, and Hertz.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Surfers were greeted with massive waves this morning and the water patrol was put to good use for the safety of all athletes in the double-overhead sets. The Men’s Elimination Round was completed before the event went on hold to wait for the swell to ease down and the tide to turn. Competition resumed early this afternoon in slightly more manageable conditions and completed 14 heats of the Men’s Round of 32.

Australia’s Callum Robson was against the ropes with only minutes on the clock in his Elimination Round matchup with Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Maxime Huscenot (FRA) needing a big score to escape third place. When a massive wave approached the lineup, Robson didn’t hesitate and launched himself into a scary drop, barely making the bottom turn, locked into a big, dark cave, only to exit with a huge spit and the judges’ nod of approval as the first perfect 10 point ride of the season.

“It feels really good, especially in a moment where I needed it the most,” Robson reflected. “The fact that I got the opportunity to get a wave and the fact that I capitalized on it, I was super stoked. I just paddled as hard as I could and just threw my board, made the drop and then I was in there and it just fully sucked me back and I thought please let me out. I was so happy, I was clapping so hard that my hands got sore.”

Later in the day, Robson also advanced through his Round of 32 matchup over compatriot Liam O’Brien (AUS).

In an exciting clash between Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Samuel Pupo (BRA), the two went blow-for-blow. It looked set to go Igarashi’s way when he opened with a big barrel ride for an excellent score and quickly backed it up, keeping the lead for the majority of the heat. Pupo relied on his strong rail work and committed finishing maneuvers to fight back and scored the two best waves in the final 5 minutes. It was a crucial win for Pupo who sits right below the mid-season cutline.

“I thought to myself, there’s no way I’m losing this heat. It took so much grit to get through it. I knew what I had to do, but mentally it took a lot from me, ” Pupo admitted.

Caio Ibelli (BRA) was the first surfer out when competition resumed this afternoon, swinging left, right and center. Ibelli seemed to be in rhythm with the pumping Supertubos lineup from the start. Pulling into a frothy tube, the Brazilian dodged the chandelier showers and emerged through a seemingly unmakeable exit to a big roar from the crowds.

“When it’s massive like this morning it was just about surviving and trying to have fun doing so,” Ibelli said of his Elimination Round. “This afternoon it was much more manageable but it’s still heavy water and bottomless waves. It was less about risk management and more about attacking mode and having fun.”

Joao Chianca (BRA) against 11X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) was a fan-favorite heat to watch this afternoon as the pair took on the powerful pits in front of capacity crowds. The young Brazilian got an early start with a quick tube and a collection of three turns to put a 6.17 (out of 10) on the board. He backed it up with a longer, better barrel for a 6.37 and applied pressure on Slater. The Floridian turned in the best wave of the heat with a 7.33 for a deep and technical tube but unfortunately ran out of time and opportunities.

“Kelly’s an incredible surfer and person inside and out and it was such an honor to surf against him,” Chianca said. “I had a good heat this morning so I was just trying to channel that and forget about everything else, there was so much going on. With a minute left I knew I couldn’t count Kelly out. The crowd is so gnarly, they screamed my name, there were a lot of Brazilians and it adds pressure but a good pressure, to try and do well for them.”

Reigning World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA) never really got any rhythm going in his battle against former CT surfer Joan Duru (FRA). The Frenchman on the other hand found a couple of little nuggets on his backhand and locked in some tube time to defeat Toledo and make his way into the Round of 16. A former Finalist in Peniche, Duru will be one to count on if conditions continue to provide challenging tubes this week.

In a scrappy heat between John John Florence (HAW) and Rio Waida (INA), the rookie upset the 2X World Champion, who made uncharacteristically poor wave choices.

“I was nervous and excited at the same time, but the conditions were tough, it was very stressful. John is one of the best surfers in the world and I just wanted to give my everything. It wasn’t the best, but I’m glad I got the job done,” Waida reacted.

A number of highly placed surfers on the current Championship Tour rankings have been eliminated today, giving room for hungry rookies and surfers both in and out the Top 22 to climb a few spots up the leaderboard. World No. 2 Toledo and World No.4 Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) as well as Florence, Miguel Pupo (BRA), Jordy Smith (RSA) and Nat Young (USA) will all leave Portugal with a minimal amount of points and look to redeem themselves in the upcoming Australian leg.

The Elimination Round was not kind to big stars either as Kolohe Andino (USA), Frederico Morais (POR), Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and Maxime Huscenot (FRA) failed to advance, finishing equal 33rd.

The next call will be on Monday, March 13, 6:50 a.m GMT at Supertubos.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR)
HEAT 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 4: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 6: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 7: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)
HEAT 8: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS)

Remaining MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 15: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 16: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 13.57 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.30
HEAT 2: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 12.27 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 9.66
HEAT 3: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.23 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.43
HEAT 4: Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.54 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.83
HEAT 5: Joan Duru (FRA) 10.84 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6.17
HEAT 6: Callum Robson (AUS) 6.73 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 6.50
HEAT 7: Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.20 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 3.94
HEAT 8: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.40 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.27
HEAT 9: Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.93 DEF. Tiago Carrique (FRA) 5.93
HEAT 10: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 11.10 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 10.07
HEAT 11: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 12.17 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.40
HEAT 12: Rio Waida (INA) 9.30 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 9.17
HEAT 13: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 10.94 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 3.73
HEAT 14: Yago Dora (BRA) 10.93 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 10.70

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 7.57 DEF. Tiago Carrique (FRA) 4.57, Kolohe Andino (USA) 4.33
HEAT 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.00 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 6.20, Frederico Morais (POR) 5.46
HEAT 3: Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 7.83, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 3.43
HEAT 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.16 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 12.50, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 10.84

The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona, Stop No. 3 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT), launched today and ran through the Men’s and Women’s Opening Rounds as well as the Women’s Elimination Round in a long day of competitive surfing.

Crowds lined the beach at Supertubos to watch and support the world’s best surfers as they took on 6-foot waves in light onshore winds. Loud cheers erupted from the shore every time risks were taken, especially maneuvers above the lip.

After a 10-hour showcase of what the best surfers on the planet can do in punchy beachbreaks, the first defeated surfers were sent home in equal 17th place in the women’s division.

The battle for the yellow Leader jersey continued as five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and Molly Picklum (AUS), who are currently tied at the top of the rankings, both advanced to the Round of 32. Moore was under pressure from local favorite Yolanda Hopkins (POR) and Isabella Nichols (AUS) in the first half of the heat. But, the World Champion stayed patient and turned things around like only she could with the two best waves of the heat.

“It was definitely first heat jitters,” Moore said. “In any event it always takes me a heat to feel my way through things. There was a lot going on between the ears! Leading up to the event, there were some challenging conditions so I haven’t surfed out front at the contest site a lot. I just had to trust that I could figure it out. It’s an interesting thing, confidence and self-doubt, it ebbs and flows. I’m looking at every event as a clean slate and all the women are surfing really well, so you have to bring your A+ game.”

In celebration of International Women’s Day, every CT athlete has selected a woman in sport who inspires them and is wearing their name on their competition jersey throughout the Portugal event. Surfer Jackson Baker (AUS) chose Moore as his honoree.

“I’m super honored that Jackson Baker put my name on his jersey, said Moore. “He’s such a gentleman and a good guy. It’s also been nice to get to know him a little better, we’re staying together here in Portugal. I’m really proud to wear Megan Abubo on my jersey. She’s someone I looked up to since I was a little girl. As a female native Hawaiian surfer, seeing her on the world stage, traveling the world and living the dream, she was someone I aspired to be, she was very tangible and she’s continued to be a very big presence in my life. We recently connected to do a mentorship program through my foundation and she’s been so generous and kind, her character has had the deepest impact on me.”

Portuguese star Teresa Bonvalot launched her campaign on home soil brilliantly with a big win over 2X World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) in the Opening Round. Bonvalot notched a solid 6.0 (out of possible 10) and backed it up with a 3.93 to take the heat win. Sakura Johnson found the scores she needed at the end of the matchup to narrowly move into second place and send Wright to the Elimination Round. This is Bonvalot’s third consecutive CT event as a replacement surfer having narrowly missed out on clinching a slot on Tour last year. Bonvalot will try to transform her local knowledge into a winning formula and make a name for herself among the most elite surfers in the world.

“It’s great to see the beach so full,” Bonvalot reacted. “I was nervous walking by everyone, but a good nervous. I’m stoked to be here and excited for the rest of the event. Two days ago I got six stitches when my fin hit my head, the first time ever I had to get stitches! Maybe there was some luck, things went from bad to good! It’s amazing to be here, surfing against the best in front of all the Portuguese people. I’m just trying to support my country in the best way possible.”

The first shock elimination came in the Women’s Elimination Round Heat 1 when Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Caitlin Simmers (USA) dispatched of 2x World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) in a close-fought battle. Rookie, Simmers, currently holds a spot in the provisional Top 10. For perennial title threat Fitzgibbons the pressure is real as she needs a big result to turn her season around.

World No. 7 Lakey Peterson (USA) had a little cushion, courtesy of an excellent 3rd place finish at Pipeline, but an uncharacteristic early elimination today could prove costly with only two more events before the Cut. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Isabella Nichols (AUS) on the other hand secured an important move into the Round of 16 and will look to continue making progress in Portugal.

The current World No. 6 and last season’s event winner in Peniche, Griffin Colapinto (USA) got off to a quick and impressive start in the Opening Round, racking up a solid heat total of 14.33 (out of 20). Colapinto took full advantage of the ramps on offer at Supertubos and pulled multiple aerial maneuvers. He ended up earning his best score with a combination of two radical turns on a meaty right for the win.

“Beach breaks are really good for me because I grew up in San Clemente,” Colapinto said. “I was a little surprised by all the attention from the fans, I’ve never really had that, but I guess it’s a good sign and I’m embracing it all. My boards and my body feel good and I love surfing heats so the more heats I get the more fun I can have. ”

Indonesia’s Rio Waida faced a big matchup in the last heat of the Men’s Opening Round against 3X World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and tour veteran Jordy Smith (RSA). The young, dynamic regular foot who’s yet to make his presence felt on the CT, definitely stepped his game up in his first appearance at Supertubos with a massive win.

“I checked my heat last night and saw I was up against Jordy and Gabriel,” Waida explained. “I grew up watching them surf and I knew I had to push my level of surfing. I was definitely nervous, but I was focused enough to calm down and focus on my strategy. Every wave I caught, I told myself it’s a freesurf and I have to go big against these guys to be the best. I gave it everything and I’m stoked that I did it.”

While Medina and Smith were still searching for decent numbers, Waida launched into a massive straight air for a near-excellent 7.83 (out of a possible 10), the highest single wave score of the day.

“I’m pretty capable of doing straight airs and I know that not many people do it,” Waida added. “I knew I had to do something different. Jordy was still paddling out so I had to give myself that opportunity and I’m stoked I made it.”

Waida proudly wears the names of Indonesia’s Olympic gold-medalists Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu on his jersey in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“I was there at Tokyo 2020 when they won the first women’s doubles badminton gold medal. They really inspired me to be like them. They are like heroes at home and it’s also because of them that I have a new goal of becoming a gold medalist in surfing and making everyone proud in Indonesia.”

In the shifting peaks of Supertubos, big scores were few and far between and a number of surfers found themselves battling in low-scoring affairs. 11X World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) couldn’t find his rhythm in the opening heat of the day, neither did event wildcards Frederico Morais (POR) and Tiago Carrique (FRA) later in the round.

They will be joined by the likes of Kolohe Andino (USA), Joao Chianca (BRA), Callum Robson (AUS), and 3X World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the Elimination Round when competition resumes in Peniche.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.00 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.93, Tyler Wright (AUS) 7.73
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 11.50 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.90, Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.17

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 9.93 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 6.13, Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.37
HEAT 2: Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 11.07 DEF. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 9.93, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.93
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 9.30, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 8.57
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 10.44 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 9.87, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.03
HEAT 5: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.76 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 10.50, Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.30
HEAT 6: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.37 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.97, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 7.76

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 11.10 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.67, Kelly Slater (USA) 5.10
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.33 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 11.50, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 4.40
HEAT 3: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.80 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 9.56, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.30
HEAT 4: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 9.74 DEF. Joan Duru (FRA) 9.44, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 7.60
HEAT 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) 9.17 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 9.10, Frederico Morais (POR) 8.03
HEAT 6: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 8.96 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 7.34, Tiago Carrique (FRA) 7.10
HEAT 7: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.84 DEF. Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 8.10, Seth Moniz (HAW) 5.53
HEAT 8: Yago Dora (BRA) 12.44 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 11.67, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.70
HEAT 9: John John Florence (HAW) 11.90 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 10.10, Kolohe Andino (USA) 8.83
HEAT 10: Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 8.07, Joao Chianca (BRA) 7.64
HEAT 11: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 13.60 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 7.60, Callum Robson (AUS) 6.60
HEAT 12: Rio Waida (INA) 15.16 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 10.50, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 7.10

A huge day of competition awaits at Supertubos, starting with twelve heats of the Men’s Opening Round. The Women’s Opening Round will follow as well as the Women’s Elimination Round later in the day if conditions allow.

Current rankings leader Jack Robinson (AUS) will launch his Portuguese campaign in Heat 5. Heat 6 will feature reigning World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA) who is hunting for the top rankings spot, and will be coming hot straight from a victory at Sunset.

3X World Champion and another former winner in Peniche, Gabriel Medina (BRA) will take to the water in the Opening Round’s last heat against Jordy Smith (RSA) and Rio Waida (INA).

Portugal’s Teresa Bonvalot will be up first when competition gets underway in a big heat against 2X World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW).

8X World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), is currently sitting just outside the Top 10 and is in need of a result here in Portugal. She will face rookies Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Sophie McCulloch (AUS) in the second heat of the day.

The current co-ranking leaders Carissa Moore (HAW) and Molly Picklum (AUS) will be featured in back-to-back Heats 3 and 4, while reigning event winner Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) is set to wrap things up in the Opening Round’s Heat 6.

About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning the undisputed World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves. WSL is comprised of the Tours and Competition division, which oversees and operates more than 180 global competitions each year; WSL WaveCo, home of the world’s largest high-performance, human-made wave; and WSL Studios, an independent producer of unscripted and scripted projects.