BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu, Hawaii/USA (Sunday, January 30, 2022) – The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), witnessed history today as the women took on the jewel of Oahu’s North Shore, Banzai Pipeline, for the first time as a full CT event. The competition ran through Women’s Opening Round 1 and Elimination Round 2 and showcased standout performances, as well as saw two big names fall out of the draw.

Local charger and event wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW) was one of the few surfers to keep her focus on the lefts of Banzai Pipeline and her strategy paid off as she put together a combination of two scores to narrowly beat five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and Brisa Hennessy (CRI).

“I started surfing Pipe when I was 12, and I’ve been coming here consistently since I was 18,” said Wong. “Surfing against Carissa pushes me to be better because she’s the best in the world. I look up to her and I want to surf as good as she can.”

Hawaiian rookie Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) dominated the final heat of Opening Round 1 with commitment at Backdoor as she took down Lakey Peterson (USA) in second place and sent World No. 6 Caroline Marks (USA) into the treacherous Elimination Round.

Heat 2 was stacked with local talent featuring Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), and Gabriela Bryan (HAW), all hailing from the island of Kauai. Manuel opted to go right and was searching for a wave at Backdoor, while Weston-Webb and Bryan looked for opportunities at Pipeline. Manuel’s patience finally paid off with five minutes left on the clock when she scored an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) for a deep Backdoor barrel and secured her spot in the Round of 16.

“To be honest I was super stressed, I wanted to alleviate that by catching a few waves and kind just getting the ball rolling,” said Manuel. “I’ve spent a lot of time out there this winter, it’s my first real winter here at Pipeline and I had such a good crew and great support. It’s really hard to get waves out there to practice so it doesn’t matter how much time you spend out there, sometimes it all comes down to being in the right spot.”

Two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and CT rookie India Robinson (AUS) had a walk-through heat as Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) wasn’t able to compete as she entered the WSL COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols. Wright pulled the trigger first with a good tube on Backdoor for an early lead and solidified with perfect positioning on a second right-hand barrel to build momentum and confidence heading into the third round.

“The most exciting thing for me this year is seeing all the rookies,” said Wright. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had such fresh faces on the tour, and it makes me emotional just seeing how they’re coming in and making the most of it. It feels incredible to be a part of this sport and to be a woman in sport right now.”

The first Elimination Round heat featured international surfing icon Bethany Hamilton (HAW), who got the last-minute call to replace Gilmore. Hamilton had a tough matchup with seasoned competitors Brisa Hennessy (CRI) and Caroline Marks (USA) completing the roster. Hennessy built on momentum from her previous matchup and scored a couple of nice waves to take the first position and Hamilton used her wealth of experience to advance in second, eliminating Marks from the competition.

“I’m so stoked to be here,” said Hamilton. “I’m in full mommy mode lately but trying to keep my surfing shape, so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to be here today. There is also such great energy on the beach, everybody showing love.”

The first heat of the Women’s Opening Round didn’t disappoint with CT rookie Molly Picklum (AUS) taking the win ahead of CT veterans Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Courtney Conlogue (USA). Fitzgibbons found a buzzer-beater to send Conlogue into the Elimination Round.

“I struggled to sleep last night because I was so excited,” said Picklum. “It feels amazing to win the first heat. Every heat is the same for me so it’s good to know that my plan worked and take the momentum through the event.”

In the day’s final heat, Heat 2 of Elimination Round 2, rookies Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Luana Silva (HAW) took on Conlogue for the last two spots into the Round of 16. As the swell continued to slow down a battle ensued in smaller lefts and rights and the two Hawaiians powered their way with turns and cover-ups to eliminate the veteran Conlogue and keep their hopes alive in the year’s opening event.

“I was just trying to complete every wave that came my way,” Silva who ended up in first stated. “It’s definitely a confidence boost knowing you can beat surfers as good as Courtney, and I guess there was a bit of a cat and mouse game at the end there, I’m just happy to get through.”

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Opening Round 1 Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.73 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 4.90, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 3.76
HEAT 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.67 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 4.40, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 3.40
HEAT 3: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 7.77 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.70, Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 6.54
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 5.50 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 4.70, Luana Silva (HAW) 0.83
HEAT 5: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.83, India Robinson (AUS) 2.94
HEAT 6: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.46 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 4.00, Caroline Marks (USA) 2.07

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Elimination Round 2 Results: 
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 10.73 DEF. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 8.76, Caroline Marks (USA) 3.70
HEAT 2: Luana Silva (HAW) 6.77 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 6.70, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 4.47

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Round of 16 Matchups: 
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. India Robinson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Bethany Hamilton (HAW)
HEAT 6: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRI)
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)
HEAT 8: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Luana Silva (HAW)

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Nat Young (USA)
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Miguel Tudela (PER)
HEAT 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS)
HEAT 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRI)
HEAT 8: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ivan Florence (HAW)
HEAT 10: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
HEAT 11: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)
HEAT 13: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
HEAT 14: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)
HEAT 15: Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 16: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)

COVID-19 Updates
The health and safety of our athletes, staff, and the local community are of the utmost importance and we have been working closely with local authorities to put a robust set of procedures in place to keep everyone safe. This includes pre-event screening, testing protocols, and minimal personnel on site. In accordance with CDC guidelines and Oahu’s COVID guidance, on-site mask guidelines are recommended.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.