The Fight for the Final 5 and Provisional Olympic Qualification Continues in Central America

Carissa Moore and Griffin Colapinto Lead Rankings Going into El Salvador

About the Venue: Central America’s Famed Point Break, Punta Roca

The world’s best surfers are making their way to Central America for the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 7 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT). The competition window runs from Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 18, 2023. This will be the second year the famed, high-performance, right-hand point break known as Punta Roca, also known as La Punta or Punta Chilama, will host the CT.

Only four events remain before the Rip Curl WSL Finals and the race to the Final 5 is heating up. After their wins at the Surf Ranch Pro, Carissa Moore (HAW) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) now sit on top of the rankings but have yet to clinch their spot in the Final 5. Many big names have fallen below the top five spots but a win here could easily turn things around.

This event will also be critical for surfers looking to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The WSL CT is the Tier 1 pathway to qualification, having already provisionally qualified four women for the 2024 Olympic Games. There are 10 men’s and four women’s spots still up for grabs, and the points from El Salvador will be critical in deciding who will represent their country in Tahiti next year.

Carissa Moore and Griffin Colapinto Lead Rankings Going into El Salvador

Five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) has established herself as the one to beat after two consecutive wins at Margaret River and Surf Ranch. Moore finished 5th in El Salvador last year, falling to California’s Caroline Marks (USA). Having just bested Marks in the Final at the Surf Ranch Pro, Moore will have plenty of confidence going into Stop No. 7.

San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto (USA) will wear the yellow Leader jersey for the first time in his career at the Surf City El Salvador Pro. He earned his second CT career win at this very venue last year and will be hoping for another big result to hold on to the rankings lead. Should Colapinto continue his momentum, it could have massive implications for his provisional Olympic qualification for the United States.

Many Tour veterans are currently sitting just below the Top 5 spots on the rankings, but a win here could make all the difference. El Salvador was a turning point for defending event winner and eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) last season, as her event win catapulted her up the rankings and helped her make the WSL Final 5. Gilmore is currently sitting in 7th on the rankings and is the third-highest-ranked Australian woman, meaning she is just one spot away from Olympic qualification.

About the Venue: Central America’s Famed Point Break, Punta Roca

Punta Roca, also known as La Punta or Punta Chilama, is the crown jewel of El Salvador and one of the most famous right-hand point breaks in Central America. Due to its steep, powerful, and fast walls, it is fondly referred to as Central America’s J-Bay. This high-performance venue offers opportunities for barrels, turns, and airs all on one wave.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.