Caption: The first stop on the WSL Championship Tour, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, starts Sunday, March 11. 
Caption: © WSL 

LOS ANGELES, Calif./USA (Friday, March 9, 2018) -  The World Surf League (WSL) is excited to announce new innovations, partnerships, and distribution channels ahead of the 2018 Championship Tour (CT) season. Dedicated to showcasing the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves, the WSL demonstrates this commitment through the progressive investments in this year’s Championship Tour and beyond. 

“Our team worked hard in the off-season with the common goal of continuing to build surfing's visibility,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO. “We are proud to welcome great partners to the WSL family and new viewers around the globe, and we are excited to capitalize on new innovations to bring the best fan experience possible to professional surfing.”

The League is excited to welcome new official partners to the WSL family in 2018, including Lifeproof in North America and Australia, Boost Mobile in Australia, and Michelob ULTRA as the Presenting Partner of the first-ever Founders' Cup of Surfing, with additional partnership announcements planned in the coming weeks. 

 Earlier this year, the WSL announced a groundbreaking partnership with Facebook as the exclusive digital home for the top live events in surfing in 2018 and 2019, including all elite men's and women's Championship Tour events, the Qualifying Series 10,000 and Big Wave Tour events, as well as the World Junior Championships.

As part of the Partnership, fans can expect enhanced Facebook LIVE broadcast graphics, interactivity with the WSL commentators via Facebook LIVE commentating, and WSL original programming on Facebook Watch. For the first time ever, fans will experience the broadcast in Spanish, along with English and Portuguese. 

In addition to its Facebook partnership, WSL has renewed linear television agreements in its core markets of USA, Brazil, Australia, France, Portugal, and Japan. The League will have television distribution for the 2018 season in over 100 countries through new and existing broadcast partners. 

WSL PUTS FAN EXPERIENCE FIRST 

This year’s live WSL CT broadcast will introduce an array of new enhancements and innovations heading into the 2018 season. With the mission of bringing fans as close to the action as possible, the enhancements will look to provide unique and exclusive views into professional surfing. 

The 2018 season will highlight the athletes, legends, and unique characters first-hand through their feedback on the commentary panel. Viewers can expect to see surfers 'on set' with the commentary team or with a VIP headset at every event to give their perspectives on the competition. Fans will also hear from the judges with daily check-ins to provide more visibility and transparency. 

WSL will also feature ‘Course Maps’ through the partnership with Virtual Eye. The Course Maps feature will bring each of our tours stops to life via animated graphics to not only show the location of each stop on Tour, but also the dynamics that help it produce some of the best waves in the world. In addition to this update, fans will be able to experience GPS-driven graphics and data, measuring speed, air-height, and time in the barrel during the live event. The commentators will also continue to use the telestrator tool to provide deeper insights into the competitive action. 

With the goal to make surfing more accessible to the public, the WSL is about to deliver a season-long campaign to educate and demystify some of the more technical and complex elements of the sport, through all WSL channels, with ten initiatives. The athletes will lift the lid on what makes this extraordinary sport so special. 

NEW ON TOUR

The 2018 CT calendar will include new locations such as the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, Calif., and Keramas in Bali, Indonesia. The world's best women surfers will also join the men at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa. 

For the first time ever, Championship Tour surfing will be seen on a world-class, man-made wave. With the technology designed by Kelly Slater, stadium surfing will be enjoyed live and up-close by thousands of fans at Surf Ranch in Lemoore California. In another innovation, a team-versus-team specialty event, Founders' Cup of Surfing, will take place in May, and is perfect for global broadcast with further details to follow. 

Additional changes to the WSL Championship Tour include the elimination of Round 5 from men’s events and Round 4 from women’s events. The respective three-person rounds, which have been non-elimination up until this season, will now advance 1st and 2nd-place finishing surfers directly to the Quarterfinals with 3rd finishing 9th in the event.

The overlapping format, which allows for two heats to run simultaneously when conditions permit, has been extended to venues in Gold Coast and France to join Bells Beach, Jeffreys Bay and Pipeline where this format was already permitted. 

With the focus on improving the fan and competitive experience, these changes help us to condense the length of the events and ensure that the athletes compete in the best conditions possible. 

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS

With a new, region-based competitive format on display at the first-ever Founders' Cup of Surfing in May, WSL is poised to unite its fans in support of regional surf teams for the first time - with an eye toward building fervor for surfing's first-ever inclusion in the Olympics in 2020. 

Led by reigning two-time WSL Champions John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS), the first event of the 2018 WSL Championship Tour will be the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Australia from March 11 - 22, 2018. Fans can experience all the enhanced broadcast features via WorldSurfLeague.com, Facebook LIVE, or on the WSL app. 

Caption: California's Griffin Colapinto (USA) will join the elite men's Championship Tour in 2018. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, December 19, 2017) - The 2017 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season has come to a close, with John John Florence (HAW)and Tyler Wright (AUS) both defending their respective maiden world surfing crowns to become two-time WSL Champions.

The 2018 elite men’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 34, made up of the top 22 finishers on the 2017 CT season, the top 10 finishers on the 2017 Qualifying Series (QS) and two WSL wildcards.

2017 Top 22 CT:
John John Florence (HAW)
Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Julian Wilson (AUS)
Jordy Smith (ZAF)
Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Owen Wright (AUS)
Kolohe Andino (USA)
Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Mick Fanning (AUS)
Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Frederico Morais (PRT)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Michel Bourez (PYF)
Conner Coffin (USA)
Joan Duru (FRA)
Italo Ferreira (BRA)

2017 Top 10 QS (minus double qualifiers from CT):
Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Yago Dora (BRA)
Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Keanu Asing (HAW)
Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

WSL Wildcards: Kelly Slater (USA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA)

CT Men’s Replacement Surfers:
Michael February (ZAF)
Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)

The 2018 elite women’s Championship Tour (CT) will be contested by the WSL Top 17, comprised of the top 10 finishers on the 2017 CT, the top six finishers on the 2017 QS and the WSL wildcard.

2017 Top 10 CT:
Tyler Wright (AUS)
Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Carissa Moore (HAW)
Lakey Peterson (USA)
Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Sage Erickson (USA)
Johanne Defay (FRA)
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW)

2017 Top 6 QS (minus double qualifiers from the CT):
Silvana Lima (BRA)
Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Coco Ho (HAW)
Caroline Marks (USA)
Keely Andrew (AUS)
Paige Hareb (NZL)

WSL Wildcard: Malia Manuel (HAW)

CT Women’s Replacement Surfers:
Macy Callaghan (AUS)
Pauline Ado (FRA)
Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)

The 2018 WSL Championship Tour season will commence with the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast from March 11 - 22, 2018.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

JORDY SMITH WINS RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH
- FLORENCE RETAINS WSL JEEP LEADER JERSEY HEADING INTO OI RIO PRO
- SMITH NOW TIED WITH WRIGHT FOR WORLD NO. 2 SPOT ON JEEP LEADERBOARD
- MORE AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: Jordy Smith (ZAF) has taken out the 2017 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in a thrilling Final against Caio Ibelli (BRA). This result rockets Smith to No. 2 on the WSL Jeep Rankings as he now shifts his focus to the next event in Brazil.
Credit: © WSL / Sloane

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Wednesday, April 19, 2017) - Jordy Smith (ZAF) has won the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach today after electric performances in pumping six-to-eight foot (2 - 2.5 metre) conditions at the iconic venue in the Australian State of Victoria. Smith bested fellow Finalist Caio Ibelli (BRA) in a classic Bells Beach showdown to close out the Australian leg.

The third stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, is the longest-running professional surf event in the world. This year's 56th iteration saw a competitive field of elite surfers throw down their best performances with Smith earning the right to ‘ring the Bell' for the first time in his career.

Smith secured his sixth Championship Tour win today following a series of heated match-ups against Ibelli, 2017 CT Rookie Ezekiel Lau (HAW) and 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA). The win marks Smith’s best result here at Bells, following his runner-up finish in 2016, and moves him up to World No. 2 on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I can’t even believe it -- second last year and now this -- it’s amazing,” Smith said. “I was stoked to have made it into Round 4 and then every heat after that was a bonus. I tried to take it easy and not take things too seriously, as you may have been able to tell from some of my claims in the Final. This is an absolute dream come true. I’ve been working on winning this event for 10 years now and to get it today is incredible.”

An intense Final witnessed Smith and Ibelli blast huge scores as they put all on the line to win. Smith charged with two 9-point rides for the lead. Ibelli answered back with a near-perfect 9.63 (out of a possible 10), needing a 9.25 with ten minutes left on the clock. Smith continued to heat things up with a 9.13, raising the requirement to a 9.28. With a 17.46 two-wave score, Ibelli was not able to defeat the South African’s commanding 18.90. 


Caption: Jordy Smith's (ZAF) powerful and aggressive approach suits Bells Beach and most surf fans believed it was only a matter of time until the South African rung the Bell himself.
Credit: © WSL /Cestari

“I wasn’t sure how many opportunities I was going to get with the high tide so I just took every wave I could,” continued Smith. “Once I got the 9, a bit of the pressure dropped and then, sure enough, Caio [Ibelli] kept coming. He is an amazing surfer and has been so on point this event. After a few years of injury and re-building, I feel like the pieces of the puzzle are coming together this year. My family and wife are right behind me and I couldn’t do it without their support.”

Ibell’s runner-up finish is his career-best result on the elite CT. The 2016 Rookie of the Year showcased a new level to his surfing with powerful, high-risk maneuvers to take out a tough field of challengers in final series. In his first time competing at Bells last season, Ibelli eliminated John John Florence (HAW) in Round 3. In a Semifinal rematch, Ibelli took out Florence once again to earn his first Finals appearance. The young Brazilian will now launch from 19th to 7th on the rankings.

“This trophy is going to look really nice in my house,” Ibelli said, “This has been the best Easter I have ever had. I’m so stoked. The waves and the support at Bells is so amazing. It’s really special.  To be in the Final with Jordy Smith, someone I’ve always looked up to, at a perfect wave like Bells is a dream come true for me.” 


Caption: Today's runner-up finish is Brazilian Caio Ibelli's best ever result on the CT and it takes him to No. 7 on the Jeep Rankings.
Credit: © WSL /Cestari

The second Semifinal saw Smith eliminate Lau from the draw after an intense clash. Lau had been on a tear all day, even eliminating 2017 World Title contender Filipe Toledo (BRA) on his way to his best-ever result on the Championship Tour. With a 13th place result on the Gold Coast and 25th at Margaret River, Lau will now climb up to 11th on the Jeep Leaderboard.

“I had a lot of good heats at this event and was able to put it together more than I thought I was going to at times,” Lau said. “I’m really stoked with how I surfed at this event. Coming that close to the Final and falling short does hurt a bit, but Jordy [Smith] has been surfing really well and capitalized at the end. This has definitely built up my confidence, especially after a poor result at Margaret River. I just can’t wait to get to Brazil and hopefully keep the roll going.”

Caption: CT Rookie Ezekiel Lau (HAW) finished Equal 3rd at the 2017 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, a great finish to his first Australian leg as he now sits in 11th on the Jeep Rankings.
Credit: © WSL /Cestari

Reigning WSL Champion Florence was defeated in the first Semifinal by eventual runner-up Ibelli. Florence posted extraordinary results at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, but fell just 0.20 points short of the win against the Brazilian powerhouse. Despite the Semifinal loss, Florence is off to his best start on the CT after his victory at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro and Semifinal finish at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Still ranked first in the world, Florence will look to defend his event title in Rio and retain the yellow Jeep Leader Jersey.

“This is by far my best start to the year, so I’m really happy,” Florence said. “I had a really fun event with some great heats, but unfortunately Caio [Ibelli] got me again at Bells Beach. I made a few mistakes that were kind of beneficial because I can take a lot from them and learn from them. I’m really looking forward to head back to Brazil in a few weeks. I’ve had success there and the waves are really fun, so it should be a great event. I’ve had an awesome Australian leg and am stoked with how it all went.” 


Caption: Although he was knocked out of the event in the Semifinals by eventual runner-up Caio Ibelli (BRA), reigning WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) will retain the Jeep Leaders Jersey on his way to defending his event title in Brazil next month.
Credit: © WSL /Sloane

Florence showed just how ruthless the competition is on the elite Champion Tour is with two narrow wins over three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) in Round 4 and the Quarterfinals. Four-time event winner Fanning charged down massive sets to showcase his sharp, aggressive maneuvers and earn some of the highest wave scores of the day, including an 18.86 in Round 4. Unfortunately, Fanning was not able to combat the 24-year-old competitor and will leave with a 5th place finish, his best result on the 2017 CT thus far.

“That was a great battle with John [Florence] today,” Fanning said. “We were both putting up solid scores, so it was always going to be interesting. I’m really happy with my performance at this event. It just feels good to put a few good heats together and get a bit of rhythm back. At the start of the year, I was trying to do things the way I have in the past and it just wasn’t working for me. At this event I took a really relaxed approach and it felt way better. Getting pumping waves at Bells and Winki was great and going down to the Champ is not the worst thing that could happen.”

A heated Round 5 showdown saw Fanning eliminate good friend Owen Wright (AUS) from the event. The two Australian veterans battled with big scores, including a near-perfect 9.10 from Wright and a masterful 9.60 from Fanning. With Fanning in the lead at the halfway mark, Wright needed a 9.18 in his final attempt but was not able to turn in the requirement and will say in second on the Jeep Leaderboard, now tied with Smith.

“I’m not too happy with a ninth place result, but I’ll definitely take it,” Wright said. “I don’t come into an event without high expectations, so I was definitely aiming for a better result, but I’ll still walk away with a keeper. If I was going to choose anyone to knock me out of the event it would have been Mick [Fanning], so I can’t complain about going down to him. It was great to come back and compete at Bells in great waves.”

2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) was eliminated in the opening Quarterfinal by Ibelli. This is the rookie’s best result as a full-time CT competitor and he will move to 19th on the Jeep Leaderboard. With early exits from the first two events this season, Morais’ comeback at Bells will put him in a great position heading into Rio.

The next stop on the 2017 WSL Championship Tour is the Oi Rio Pro in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from May 9 - 20, 2017. The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Final Results:
1 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.90
2 - Caio Ibelli (BRA) 17.46

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 17.63 def. John John Florence (HAW) 17.43
SF 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.63 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 15.17

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 16.00 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 14.50
QF 2: John John Florence (HAW) 16.70 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 15.77
QF 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 18.60 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.66
QF 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 16.77 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.53

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 5 Results:
Heat 1: Frederico Morais (PRT) 18.10 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 13.16
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.63 def. Owen Wright (AUS) 17.60
Heat 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 16.76 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.00
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 18.17 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 17.60

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 16.46, Frederico Morais (PRT) 15.50, Owen Wright (AUS) 11.43
Heat 2: John John Florence (HAW) 19.54, Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.86, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.94
Heat 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 16.73, Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.67, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.20
Heat 4:  Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.30, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 14.70, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.50

2017 WSL Men’s Jeep Leaderboard (After Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach):
1 - John John Florence (HAW) 23,000 pts
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 19,200 pts
2 - Owen Wright (AUS) 19,200 pts
4 - Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14,400 pts
5 - Kolohe Andino (USA) 13,750 pts

COURTNEY CONLOGUE CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK WINS AT RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH
- SIX-TIME WSL CHAMPION GILMORE RETAINS JEEP LEADER JERSEY
- CONLOGUE MOVES UP TO WORLD NO. 4 AFTER CLASSIC BELLS BEACH FINALE
- DEFENDING EVENT WINNER WILKINSON ELIMINATED IN ROUND 3
- MORE AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption:  Courtney Conlogue (USA) with the coveted Bell, the winner's trophy that will have her name added to it for the second year in a row after she took out the 2017 Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach today. 
Credit: © WSL / Cestari

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Monday, April 17, 2017) - Courtney Conlogue (USA) has won the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach today after defeating Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in four-to-six foot (1 - 2 metre) conditions at the world-renowned Bells Beach in the Australian state of Victoria.

The third stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, witnessed Conlogue ring the coveted Bell for the second time after her dominance throughout the final series today. The Californian unleashed her aggressive power-surfing to take down a stacked field of competitors, including six-time WSL Champion Gilmore, reigning WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).

“Winning it last year felt so good, but to back it up is amazing,” said Conlogue. “I’m so speechless. The first two events of the Australian leg did not go that well for me, so I’m stoked to finish it off with a win. I have always loved coming to Bells. It’s an amazing arena with all of the fans down here. It’s a really tricky wave to master, so to have two wins here is really special.”



Caption:  Courtney Conlogue (USA) moves up the Jeep Rankings into the fourth spot with her win at Bells Beach today. 
Credit: © WSL / Sloane

Conlogue came into the start of the 2017 season as World No. 2, but a 9th place finish at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and 5th place result at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro set her back to World No. 9. The Californian’s win today moves her up to fourth on the Jeep Leaderboard to now put her World Title campaign back on track.

“Coming up against Stephanie [Gilmore] in the Final was incredible,” continued Conlogue. “She is such an amazing surfer and tough competitor. Maintaining composure at the end was key. I had a lot of last-minute wins this contest and that’s why it’s true that you should never give up because it’s not over until it is over.”

The Final saw an exciting battle between Gilmore and Conlogue. Gilmore got the edge on the opening exchange with an excellent 8.33 (out of a possible 10) to Conlogue’s 8.00. The women continued to charge, again posting excellent-range scores with Gilmore leading Conlogue’s 15.27 combined score by only 1.06 points. In the last 5 minutes of the heat, Conlogue took off on the biggest set wave of the Final and displayed her trademark power hacks and jams in the pocket to post an excellent 9.00-point ride for the lead. With only seconds left, Gilmore attempted to scratch into a medium-sized set but was unable to make it, leaving Conlogue to win her second consecutive Bell with a heat total of 17.00.

“This was an incredible event,” said Gilmore. “We’ve had some awesome waves over these past few days and it was a special Easter weekend to have everyone down here. To surf in front of this crowd is a really special experience. I always try my best, but it is a tough field to beat so I am happy to come away with a second and still hold onto that lead. I will hopefully hold onto it for as long as I can.”

Coming into the Final, Gilmore was looking to add a fourth Bell to her trophy cabinet to equal the great Lisa Andersen (USA) for Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach titles. After a series of buzzer-beater heat wins throughout the Australian leg, Gilmore seemed to shift gears and stay more active in the Final, which gave her the upper-hand for its majority. Although Gilmore wasn’t able to get the win on her 11th time competing at this event, she heads to Brazil as the Jeep Frontrunner.

Caption:  Six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) came just short of clinching her fourth Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach title today but holds onto top spot on the Jeep Leaderboard. 
Credit: © WSL / Sloane

The first Semifinal saw Conlogue blast two near-perfect 9-point rides for the win over 2016 WSL Champion Wright. Wright, with a 7.17 and 7.83, was not able to overcome the Californian and will be eliminated in Equal 3rd place. Wright has made the final series at each of the events on the Australian leg, including a runner-up finish at Margaret River and 5th place on the Gold Coast. Today’s result will see Wright stay in 3rd on the Jeep Leaderboard. 

“I am really happy with my performance on the Australian leg,” said Wright. “It has been really fascinating for me being able to use everything I’ve been working on this past year that I may not have had the opportunity to actually put into action. It has been really fun to move forward knowing I have more to give. I am really excited about it. Last year was definitely a first year, but this year I have a general idea of what needs to be done. It is quite fascinating to be seven years in and just doing this now.” 



Caption: Reigning WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) put on an incredible display at Bells Beach and will exit with a 3rd place result. 
Credit: © WSL / Sloane

Eventual winner Conlogue previously dispatched three-time WSL Champion and three-time event winner Moore in the opening Quarterfinal matchup. A heated battle saw the two post excellent range scores. An intense paddle battle gave way for Conlogue to regain priority at the halfway mark. With ten minutes left and needing an 8.24, Moore waited for a set to come through while Conlogue kept busy on the inside. Moore missed her opportunity at the five minute mark to put even more pressure on her final attempt. Moore chased down a wave in the final minute, but it was not enough to meet the requirement. Moore will be eliminated with her third 5th place result of the season.

Californian Lakey Peterson (AUS) was not able to hold on in the second Semifinal against Gilmore. Peterson’s 3rd place result matches her best finish at Bells in 2013. In addition to her finish in Victoria, Peterson’s runner-up result on the Gold Coast and 13th in Margaret River will put her at 5th on the rankings heading into the next event.

“This is a great result, but I want to win,” Peterson said. “It was fun to come up against Stephanie [Gilmore], but hopefully I will get her in the next one. Maybe it is a good thing that I haven’t gotten the win because it keeps me hungry. I feel like I’ve come close and I am surfing well and showing myself that I can be there in the finals. To be in the race is a great confidence boost. I am enjoying competing and loving the challenge. The Australian leg seems like a good start to the year for me.”


Caption: Lakey Peterson (USA) moves two spots up the Jeep Rankings to fifth after her Equal 3rd finish at the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach. 
Credit: © WSL / Barripp

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 2017 World Title contender and two-time event winner, was eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Peterson. In a tight matchup, Peterson got the edge over Fitzgibbons by a narrow margin of 0.26 points. Fitzgibbons was leading the Jeep Leaderboard coming into this event, but now moves to 2nd with this result.

The day kicked off with the remaining five heats of men’s Round 3 and saw Filipe Toledo (BRA) rip into the Bells Bowl with a near-perfect 9.77 and 8.50 to jumpstart the day. Adrian Buchan (AUS) was not able to combat the Brazilian charger and will leave with a 13th place result.

“I am stoked to light it up,” Toledo said. “I started the day with a really good heat and it is definitely more confidence for the next round. That 9.77 was definitely an amazing wave. I did one turn and saw the section that would be perfect for an air. I hit the section and just decided to go for it. I do not usually like the first heat of the day, but I was really psyched today because I had a blast yesterday surfing on my birthday.”

In a major upset, defending event winner Matt Wilkinson (AUS) was knocked out by Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) in Heat 10 of Round 3. Dantas took advantage of the conditions to get vertical on his backhand maneuvers and earn a 13.73 combined score. Wilkinson fought tooth and nail for the lead but couldn’t quite find the required score at the end.  

“It was really good to surf against Wilko here,” Dantas said. “I lost to him here last year so I really focused on that heat and am stoked to come away with the win. I feel really confident here at Bells. It feels like my year is just starting now. It is awesome to see the Brazilian storm do so well this morning with Adriano [de Souza] and Filipe [Toledo] winning also. I have been watching a lot of videos of Occy [Mark Occhilupo] here to get ready for Bells, which has been super inspiring. “

2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) and 2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) made their way through to the next round after taking down Jeremy Flores (FRA) and CT Rookie Connor O’Leary (AUS), respectively. Three-time event winner Parkinson showcased textbook turns to earn his way through with an excellent 8.33 and 7.33 to make up his two-wave score.

Jordy Smith (ZAF) also found success today in Round 3 with a win against Joan Duru (FRA). Smith landed a near-perfect 9.27 and excellent 8.83 to dispatch the CT rookie. Although Duru was beaten, his performance throughout this event was spirited as he displayed his critical backhand attack. Smith will now move into Round 4.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow at 6:45 a.m. local time to reassess the conditions and make the next call.

Surfline, official forecast for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, are calling for:

SW swell continues Monday, slowly easing, fading further into Tuesday morning.  A solid swell will peak Wednesday and fade Thursday, although wind will not be as favorable as what we’ll see the next couple days. A final swell is possible for the end of the waiting period, although it looks smaller than what we’re now.

The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Final Results:
1 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.00
2 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.33

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18.33 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.00
SF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.66 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.73

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 16.56 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.33
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.26 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 11.60
QF 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.86 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.60
QF 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 18.60 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.80

2017 WSL Women’s Jeep Leaderboard (After Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach):
1 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 24,500 pts
2 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 21,700 pts
3 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 19,700
4 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 18,500
5 - Lakey Peterson (USA) 16,250

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 3 Results:
Heat 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 18.27 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.56
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 16.53 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.50
Heat 10: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.73 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.00
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.66 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.60
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.10 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 14.44

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Frederico Morais (PRT), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 3: Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Adriano de Souza (BRA)
Heat 4: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF)

ROOKIES ELIMINATE TOP SEEDS AT RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH
- WINKIPOP DELIVERS PRISTINE CONDITIONS FOR EASTER SUNDAY CROWDS
- ROOKIE MORIAS ELIMINATES WSL CHAMPION MEDINA
- WSL CHAMPIONS FANNING, SLATER CLASH IN ROUND 3
- NEWCOMER LAU DISPATCHES WORLD NO. 3 ANDINO 
- MORE AVAILABLE AT WORLDSURFLEAGUE.COM

Caption: 2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) upset the competition today by eliminating 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in Round 3 Heat 1 of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. 
Credit: © WSL / Barripp

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Sunday, April 16, 2017) - The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach continued today with men’s Round 2 and the first seven heats of Round 3. The day began with clean conditions at Bells Beach and again moved to Winkipop to capitalize on the incoming tide. The two elimination rounds produced incredible drama and action for the third stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).

The all-star Round 3 match-up saw 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) take on three-time WSL Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) at Winkipop. Fanning looked far from composed early in the heat, struggling to find his trademark solidity. Despite the slow start, Fanning eventually settled to post a modest heat total of 13.50 (out of a possible 20). Slater also seemed to struggle with wave selection as he was unable to top Fanning’s heat total. Both surfers are tied for four event wins here at Bells, but only Fanning will continue the hunt for a fifth event title.

“That was a pretty strange heat,” Fanning said. “The waves slowed down a lot, so it ended up being a bit of a grind between the two of us. Kelly [Slater] and I have surfed a lot of heats together over the years and always really enjoy them, it’s a great test. I definitely would have changed a few things about that heat, particularly my equipment. I should have been on a longer board. I’m excited to surf again. I love this place. It’s the most special stop on tour for me, so a solid result is always what I’m after here.”

Earlier today, Fanning also took down 2017 CT Rookie Ethan Ewing (AUS). In a battle between the new order and the veteran echelon, Fanning unleashed an incredible performance with a near-perfect 9.20 and 9.00. 2016 World Junior Champion Ewing was not able to combat the veteran and will be eliminated in Equal 25th place.

2017 CT Rookie Frederico Morais (PRT) upset the competition with a massive win over 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the opening heat of Round 3. Medina kicked things off with a 13.57 combined score, while Morais got to work with a 13.94. Medina was not able to find the 6.38 required to regain control and will fall out of the draw in Equal 13th place. This win marks Morais’ first Round 4 berth of his rookie season.

“I knew it was going to be a really aggressive heat because Gabriel [Medina] is a formidable opponent,” Morais said. “We were both hassling for the inside at the beginning of the heat so it was intense in the first few minutes. Luckily I got the first good wave. Getting an excellent score at the start put me in a comfortable position that I could just build on. I don’t want to get to ahead of myself. I’m just really pumped to keep surfing because the waves are so fun. Hopefully I can continue to put a show on for all of the people that come down to Bells Beach.”

2016 WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) will march through to the next round after eliminating injury replacement Nat Young (USA) in Heat 6. Florence gained an early lead after dropping an excellent 8.17. The Jeep Frontrunner continued to better his situation with a 6.17 to take the win. Young, a former event runner-up at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, did not give up until the final seconds but was unable to hang on to a finishing maneuver. Young bows out in Equal 13th.

“A little wind picked up in that heat, which made it difficult to surf out there,” Florence said. “We pushed each other pretty deep at the start and then had to paddle back down. I would be stoked to win this event, but there are still a few more rounds to get through though. I am happy to make it through the first round and now this one.”

Current World No. 2 Owen Wright (AUS) attacked Round 3 against Bede Durbidge (AUS) to continue his run in Victoria. Wright took advantage of the set waves to exhibit his trademark vertical snaps for a pair of 8.77s to put the pressure on Durbidge. Unable to escape the combination, Durbidge will leave this event with a 13th place result. Wright, who has yet to win at Bells, looks in great form moving into the next round.

"I didn't have any idea what to expect going into this heat,” Wright said. “I really enjoy surfing against Bede [Durbidge]. He's a great surfer and competitor, and an awesome human. He was always going to be hard to beat. I'm just happy to get through and be able to surf another day at pumping Bells or Winki."

Powerhouse Ezekiel Lau (HAW) continued the rookie domination as he took down an in-formKolohe Andino (USA). Lau only took off on two waves during the encounter to post a winning total of 14.00. Current World No. 3 Andino was in the hunt for a 7.50 single-wave score but was unable to get it done and finishes his run at Bells in Equal 13th place.

“I wasn’t focused on anyone else out there, just me and my game plan,” Lau said. “Everything was going my way in that heat, which felt nice for a change. I felt like I had a really good rhythm with the waves today. I’ve been working closely with Jake [Paterson] all year and he has some great tips on surfing here at Bells so it is great to have him in my corner.”

Previously, Lau made a big statement in his Round 2 Heat 4 matchup against second-year charger Conner Coffin (USA) with a near-perfect 9.00 and 9.40. Lau found an early rhythm at Bells Beach to trap Coffin in a combination situation for the win. Lau will advance to Round 3 for the second time this season, while current World No. 7 Coffin faces his early exit this season with a 25th place finish.

2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) will compete in the remaining Round 3 heats after taking out event wildcard Samuel Pupo (BRA) in Round 2 Heat 2. The CT veteran exhibited his clean, technical surfing to earn two excellent 8-point rides and the win. Pupo, who gained entry into the event after winning the trials, was not able to post the required scores and will exit his first ever CT event in 25th place.

“That was such a great heat,” Parkinson said. “It was so fun out there. You sometimes forget how good of a wave Bells is. When it’s like it is today, clean and four foot, you just get this nervous energy and feeling of excitement. That was my first heat in Round 2 at Bells, so I’m glad to have made it out. I feel like I have a good strategy when surfing Bells and my surfing suits the waves. It’s been the same since I started surfing here and it seems to still be a winning formula.”

Jordy Smith (ZAF) opened the day with a massive score, an incredible 18.40, to take down event wildcard Glyndyn Ringrose (AUS) in Round 2. Ringrose, a former CT competitor, was back on the world stage after 17 years away from the CT and showed his razor sharp backhand attack was still well and truly intact. It wasn’t enough to match the raw power of Smith’s rail carves as the South African continues into a Round 3 matchup with CT rookie Joan Duru (FRA).

“I couldn’t have asked for a better Easter,” Smith said. “To come down and score four-to-five foot Bells, super clean is amazing and the best thing is how consistent it is. There are so many opportunities, the conditions are incredible. It was awesome to have a heat with Glyndyn [Ringrose]. He is an amazing surfer and helps us here every year on the water patrol so I really take my hat off to him. I took a lot away from my heat at Margaret River and am feeling confident here at Bells.”

Joan Duru (FRA) earned his first heat win of his rookie season today by eliminating CT veteran Josh Kerr (AUS). Duru locked in an excellent 8.67 and continued to move with a 7.57. Kerr, with a 7.17 on his opening ride, needed an 8.81 to secure the win. With one last opportunity, Kerr unleashed a big reverse but was not able to land his closing maneuver for the score. Duru will be against Smith in Round 3 Heat 12.

“It’s amazing to be surfing here at such an iconic event,” Duru said. “Bells Beach is an amazing place and I feel like it suits my surfing. I haven’t had the best start to my rookie season, so to make it out of that Round 2 heat on top is a good feeling - especially against a guy like Josh [Kerr] he is an incredible competitor.”

Rookie Connor O’Leary (AUS) was also able to bounce out of elimination Round 2 after winning his heat against Jadson Andre (BRA). O’Leary will be up against Parkinson when competition gets back underway.

CT veteran Jeremy Flores (FRA) took out Jack Freestone (AUS) by only 0.06 of a point in a fiery battle to close out Round 2. The heat saw some of the day’s biggest sets on offer force both surfers to showcase powerful maneuvers for the win. Flores got the slight edge and will match-up against 2015 WSL Champion and former event winner Adriano de Souza (BRA) in Heat 9 of Round 3.

The eliminations continued throughout the day as Sebastian Zietz (HAW) knocked out 2017 World Title contender Julian Wilson (AUS) in Round 3 Heat 5 by just 0.03 points. Both surfers battled wave for wave, posting incredible excellent-range scores. Zietz powered through to earn the slight advantage to eliminate Wilson.

“That was a non-stop, action-packed heat,” Zeitz said. “It’s always good to have a lot of waves in a heat, so both competitors get opportunities. I saw a few of Julian’s [Wilson] waves and he was looking super sharp so it was going to be a tough task. I knew it was going to turn on for that heat after a couple of slow ones. I can’t complain though - mother nature was really providing. Getting up there and making heats is a good feeling, it really helps for requalification.”

Zietz also eliminated 2017 WSL Rookie Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) by only 0.09 points in Round 2. Fioravanti will leave the Australian leg with his third consecutive 25th place finish.

2016 WSL Rookie of the Year Caio Ibelli (BRA) charged through the competition today with a win against rookie Ian Gouveia (BRA) in Round 2 and 2017 World Title contender Michel Bourez (PYF) in Round 3.

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrowat 6:45 a.m. local time to reassess the conditions and make the next call.

Surfline, official forecast for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, are calling for:

SW swell continues Monday, slowly easing, fading further into Tuesday morning.  A solid swell will peak Wednesday and fade Thursday, although wind will not be as favorable as what we’ll see the next couple days. A final swell is possible for the end of the waiting period, although it looks smaller than what we’re now.

The event will be broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL's Facebook page. Also check the local listings for coverage on CBS Sports Network in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, ESPN in Brazil, Sky NZ in New Zealand, SFR Sports in France and Portugal and as part of the EDGEsport Network.

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 18.40 def. Glyndyn Ringrose (AUS) 8.83
Heat 2: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 16.57 def. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 12.83
Heat 3: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 16.93 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.84
Heat 4: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 18.40 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 16.40
Heat 5: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.00 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 6.33
Heat 6: Joan Duru (FRA) 16.24 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.60
Heat 7: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 17.26 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 14.67
Heat 8: Mick Fanning (AUS) 18.20 def. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.03
Heat 9: Frederico Morais (PRT) 17.94 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.87
Heat 10: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 17.60 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 13.74
Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 17.00 def. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 15.80
Heat 12: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 16.70 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 16.64

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.94 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.57
Heat 2: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 17.03 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 16.10
Heat 3: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.54 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 13.83
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.50 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 12.43
Heat 5: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 17.07 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.04
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 14.34 def. Nat Young (USA) 11.43
Heat 7: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 14.00 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 12.33

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Remaining Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 8: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 10: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
Heat 11: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Connor O’Leary (AUS)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

Rip Curl Women’s Pro Quarterfinal Match-Ups:
QF 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
QF 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs.  Coco Ho (HAW)
QF 3: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
QF 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)