The stage has been set for Finals Day at the Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy, Stop No. 9 of the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT) after another dramatic and action-packed day in Fiji. Cloudbreak continued to deliver with more super clean six-to-eight foot surf to see the women’s Semifinalists decided and the men’s Quarterfinalists. During the opening heat of the men’s Quarterfinals, an unexpected strong wind came up forcing the day to finish earlier than expected. It’s likely that the event winners will be crowned tomorrow morning, and the WSL Final 5 for men and women will be set ahead of the 2024 Lexus WSL Finals.
17-Year-Old Wildcard Erin Brooks Dominates Day 2
In her first ever CT appearance, event Wildcard Erin Brooks (CAN) secured a spot in the Semifinals, and has shown why she is one of the most exciting up and comers. The 17-year-old first took down Gabriela Bryan (HAW) in the Elimination Round, then went on to dominate over World No. 1 Caitlin Simmers (USA) in the Quarterfinals, posting a 15.10 two-wave total, the highest of the heat score of the women’s event so far. Brooks’ Quarterfinal included an excellent 8.00-point ride that she earned from a series of super-fast critical turns in the lip.
“I look up to Caity (Simmers) so much,” said Brooks. “She’s such an inspiration to me as she’s still so young, and she’s number one in the world, so I do look up to her. Sierra (Kerr) and I came into this event looking around at all of these surfers that we have looked up to our whole lives, and seeing Caity beat them all is really cool, and to beat her myself is amazing. I’m just so grateful to be here in Fiji, one of my favorite places in the world, surfing in this event. I’m so excited.”
Molly Picklum, Brisa Hennessy, and Jack Robinson Clinch Spots in the WSL Final 5
Molly Picklum (AUS) has guaranteed a spot in the Semifinals. This is her best result since the Hurley Sunset Pro back in February. Picklum overcame former Fiji Pro winner Johanne Defay (FRA) in the Quarterfinals to clinch her spot in the Final 5 for the second consecutive year. Picklum posted solid scores all day for big turns and technical tube rides. She will need to continue her form if she’s to take down Erin Brooks (CAN) in their Semifinal matchup when competition continues.
“I’ve been struggling a bit this year and not being able to get past the quarters,” Picklum said. “It’s good to get a roll on and make some heats, especially at an event like this one. I love surfing and love competing, so making heats just means more of those things, and that’s what I want. You live and breathe for heats like that against Johanne, when it’s all on the line and you just go back and forth. Obviously, Caity has the No. 1 seed, so it’s hers for us to take, and I’m just really excited to go there. I really love that wave and San Clemente so I can’t wait to go back there and put my best foot forward and let my surfing do the talking. I’m pumped to come up against Erin (Brooks). She is obviously amazing and will really push me, so I can’t wait.”
After taking a heavy wipeout in her Opening Round heat yesterday and suffering a bad cut to her foot, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) showed great courage today to take a narrow win over Sierra Kerr (AUS) for a spot in the Quarterfinals. Hennessy found a few impressive rides in her Quarterfinal matchup with Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) but fell just short of taking the win. Her equal fifth place finish was enough to clinch a spot in the Final 5, and she’ll be headed to Lower Trestles to compete in the Lexus WSL Finals in early September.
“It’s definitely been an interesting one for sure, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. That’s my motto, I think for this event. I think it’s so sick to have an event at Cloudbreak and to have the amazing Fijian staff that just give us so much support and love. I think that’s what’s carrying me through,” said Hennessy. “It’s been a very incredible, chaotic, wild, beautiful, amazing year. I think sometimes we’re always thinking about getting to the end, and I’ve learned a lot about trying to be in the moment and enjoying every part, but it’s led me here. Yeah, so, so grateful.”
Aussie World Title hopeful and Olympic Silver Medalist Jack Robinson (AUS) claimed a clutch win over Connor O’Leary (JPN) in the Round of 16. Robinson’s heat win was enough to see him clinch his spot inside the Final 5 with his event result the only thing that can now adjust his seed in his third straight WSL Finals appearance. Robinson will face good friend and current World No. 6 Yago Dora (BRA) in the Quarterfinals.
“I knew I didn’t need a big score, so I knew that was it. That was it; that was the shot I needed, and it gave me the chance, and I made it happen. I didn’t really think about how big the moment was, but it was such a big heat because I needed to clinch my spot,” said Robinson. “Feels good. It feels like I’m right where I’m meant to be. What a special moment. What a special year. So let’s keep pushing forward.”
Gabriela Bryan and Gabriel Medina Out of Final 5 Contention, Johanne Defay and Italo Ferreira Just Holding On
Coming into the second day of competition at the Corona Fiji Pro, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) was sitting at No. 5 on the rankings, and in need of a solid finish to hang on to her Final 5 position. With her loss to Erin Brooks (CAN) in the Elimination Round and Johanne Defay (FRA) progressing into the Quarterfinals, she was pushed into sixth on the rankings and out of contention.
Defay now sits at No. 5 on the rankings but will need Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) to lose in her Semifinal matchup with two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) if she’s to hang onto that spot. Weston-Webb can clinch the fifth spot if she’s to go on and win her Semifinal heat.
On his way to the Quarterfinals, Barron Mamiya (HAW) took down 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), meaning his spot in the Final 5 is not guaranteed. If Ferreira’s countryman, Yago Dora (BRA), goes on to win the event, then he could move into the Final 5, and Ferreira would lose his chance to compete in the Lexus WSL Finals. Ethan Ewing (AUS) also needs to win his Quarterfinal matchup to ensure he secures a spot inside the Final 5.
The last heat of the day saw three-time WSL World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) go down to 2024 World Title hopeful Griffin Colapinto (USA). Medina had been on fire all event, posting a near-perfect 9.87 in his Round of 16 heat today, the highest single-wave score of the event so far. In his Quarterfinal matchup with Colapinto, he was unable to find a rhythm and will finish his campaign in Fiji with an equal fifth place finish, which won’t be enough to see him move into the Final 5 for 2024.
Similarly to Medina, two-time World Champion and current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) was a shock elimination from the contest, going down to fellow Hawaiian Imaikalani deVault (HAW) in Heat 5 of the Round of 16. The Quarterfinal berth for deVault will guarantee an equal career-best result, while for Florence, the equal ninth-place finish won’t affect his No. 1 seed at the upcoming Lexus WSL Finals.
For highlights and more information about the Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 6.07 DEF. Sierra Kerr (AUS) 4.84
HEAT 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.50 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 8.20
HEAT 3: Erin Brooks (CAN) 11.16 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 9.83
HEAT 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.50 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 9.40
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.50 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.23
HEAT 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.94 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 12.60
HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 12.34 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 11.50
HEAT 4: Yago Dora (BRA) 14.26 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 11.26
HEAT 5: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 11.33 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 7.44
HEAT 6: Rio Waida (INA) 15.43 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 11.40
HEAT 7: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.67 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.80
HEAT 8: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.40 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 7.60
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Quarterfinal Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.47 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 9.94
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.34 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 11.44
HEAT 3: Erin Brooks (CAN) 15.33 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.60
HEAT 4: Molly Picklum (AUS) 13.73 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.17
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Quarterfinal Results (Heat 1):
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.83 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 10.16
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Women’s Semifinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)
Corona Fiji Pro Presented by Bonsoy Men’s Remaining Quarterfinal Matchups (Heats 2-4):
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
HEAT 3: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 4: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Ethan Ewing (AUS)
For more information, please visit WorldSurLeague.com
