Caption: Filipe Toledo (BRA) earned the highest single-wave score of the event today, a near-perfect 9.67, to advance to the Quarterfinals. 
Caption: © WSL /  Cestari

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COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Wednesday, March 14, 2018) - The drama and tension continue to build at the first stop on the 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. Today was an unnerving day in men’s elimination Rounds 3 and 4 as upsets continued in the four-to-five foot (1.2 - 1.5 metre) conditions at Snapper Rocks. 

Event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS) continued to turn the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast upside down with another massive win today over Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion and 2014 event winner. Just yesterday, Wright upset the competition with his win over current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) and today he continued his tear by taking down the current World No. 2. The Australian has made his competitive intentions clear this week and will be talked about as the competition’s celebrated darkhorse. 

“I’m not too stressed out about these big names," said Wright. "I just surf every heat the same and keep to my game plan. I like to hang down on the beach with my dog and treat this event like a Qualifying Series contest. I’m not too into all of the attention and drama in the competitors' area -- I like to just do my own thing. It’s a great experience coming up against these big names, but I don’t let it get to me."

Despite Wright’s success in the early rounds, he was not able to escape the new Round 4 format, which now advances the top two finishers to the Quarterfinals and eliminates the third-place finisher in Equal 9th. Wright fell to challengers Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Adrian Buchan (AUS), who earned first and second in the heat, respectively. 

Having finaled at Snapper Rocks twice, Toledo is always one to watch at the Quiksilver Pro. His electric blend of power and progression was on show as he wowed the crowds with the highest single-wave score of the event so far, a near-perfect 9.67 to progress into the Quarterfinals. 

“The wind conditions did not make for the best air conditions, so I choose to stick to the face of the wave,” said Toledo. “I had the power and speed going into the 9.67 wave and was actually waiting for it to barrel, but it never did, so I figured I had to get creative with my maneuvers. I had a lot of fun this heat and took initiative on a lot of the waves, which really paid off.” 

2017 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner Owen Wright (AUS) has booked himself a spot in the Quarterfinals at Snapper Rocks after an impressive display of surfing. First, he eliminated 2018 CT Rookie Willian Cardoso (BRA) in the opening heat of Round 3, then went on to post a 17.00 point heat total (out of a possible 20) in Round 4. It was a bittersweet victory for Wright as his good friend Mick Fanning (AUS) was eliminated in his last appearance at his hometown CT event. 

“I did my first trip with Mick [Fanning] when I was 14,” Wright said. “He has been like a guardian angel to me through my head injury. He’s showed me a lot of guidance over the years and is definitely one of my heroes so to have the chance to surf heats with him is really nice. I’ve always wanted to finish at the top of the rankings. I’ve managed to stay up there -- even if I’ve had a few injuries and setbacks over the years -- but I'm feeling so good and healthy now and am building and building.”

Fellow CT veteran and 2012 WSL Champion, Joel Parkinson (AUS), was also eliminated from the draw. The Coolangatta local was dispatched by 2018 CT Rookie, Griffin Colapinto (USA), in Round 3 Heat 9. The 19-year-old rookie continued on to Round 4 where he edged out Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) by just 2.19 points. He progressed in second place behind Julian Wilson (AUS), who looks in great form despite a recent shoulder injury. Wilson will match-up with Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in the Quarterfinals, while Colapinto will face Michel Bourez (PYF). 

The final two Quarterfinalists were decided in a down-to-the-wire matchup between 2015 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), and 2018 CT Rookie Rodrigues. While Bourez dominated the heat, the Brazilian duo of Rodrigues and De Souza battled it out for the second qualifying spot, which was eventually taken by the rookie Rodrigues. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day for Rodrigues, who earlier dispatched World Title contenderJordy Smith (ZAF).

“I have been sitting in Brazil thinking about this event a lot and trying to mentally prepare,” Rodrigues said. “I can’t really explain how stoked I am to be in the Quarterfinals in my first CT event. I have always dreamed of this and now it is happening. I’m doing this for my mother. She has always believed in me and been by my side so this is for her.” 

The intense matchup between Brazilian superstars Toledo and Italo Ferreira (BRA) was a standout elimination heat today after both surfers attacked the Snapper Rocks lineup and exchanged multiple innovative maneuvers. The win eventually went to Toledo, who secured a marginal 0.9-point advantage over his compatriot. 

Injury replacement Michael February (ZAF) moved into the Quiksilver Pro draw when 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) pulled out of the event due to an ongoing foot injury. February was eliminated by Wilson in Heat 7 of Round 3. The young South African looked right at home on the WSL Championship Tour earlier in the event when he eliminated former event champion Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Round 2 but now goes home from his first-ever CT event with an Equal 13th place finish.

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:

Rising shorter period E swell today with good size surf for Thursday. Good size surf continuesFriday but this is trending down into the weekend. Long range guidance points to more mid-size but shorter period ESE/SE swell around the last couple days of the event window.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 14.50 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 9.04
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.67 def. Conner Coffin (USA) 7.37
Heat 3: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 12.40 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.60. 
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.60 def. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.70
Heat 5: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 13.36 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.10 
Heat 6: Mikey Wright (AUS) 16.07 def. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.90
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) 7.30 def. Michael February (ZAF) 7.10
Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.26 def. Frederico Morais (PRT) 11.10
Heat 9: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.50 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.94 
Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.07 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 13.60 
Heat 11: Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.50 def. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 6.43 
Heat 12: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 15.00 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.40

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 17.00, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 11.20, Mick Fanning (AUS) 10.43
Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.70, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 14.60, Mikey Wright (AUS) 11.20
Heat 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) 15.97, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.83, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.67
Heat 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.97, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 13.83, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.53

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Matchups:
QF 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
QF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
QF 3: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
QF 4: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Matchups: 
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)

Caption: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS) surfs past 2x WSL Champion and current World No. 1, John John Florence (HAW), in the opening elimination heat of Round 1. 
Caption: © WSL /  Sloane

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COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Tuesday, March 13, 2018) - The 2018 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) is showing no shortage of competitive drama this season as the upsets from the women’s event continued through the first eliminations of the men’s competition. The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the WSL CT, saw major surprises today in elimination Round 2 in three-to-four foot (1- 1.2 metre) conditions at the famed Snapper Rocks venue.

Further proving how unpredictable the 2018 season will be, a massive upset kicked off the first men’s elimination round of the year with current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW)eliminated by event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS). Today was just another milestone reached for Wright in 2018 in addition to his recent success at the Australian Boardriders Battle Final and Newcastle Surfest Qualifying Series 6,000 event. The young competitor has made it clear that he will work hard to reach the elite CT and join his siblings, Tyler and Owen Wright, by continuing to prove himself in the Qualifying Series tour, the pathway where surfers earn their way to the top competition ranks. 

“I’m so thankful to get this wildcard from Quiksilver and have the opportunity to come up against the world’s best,” Wright said. “Obviously, coming up against the World Champion is going to be tough but anyone on the CT is going to be really tough, so I just wanted to go out and surf my own heat and just work on getting the best waves. The waves are really fun so I can’t wait to get back out there and do what I love to do.” 

Florence’s shocking loss is the first time since 1991 that the reigning men’s World Champion has been knocked out of Round 2 in the opening event of the season (Tom Curren won the Title in 1990 and was a no-show in the first half of the 1991 season). Florence will leave with his first 25th place finish in 25 events. 

“Mikey [Wright] is such a great surfer and he really surfed well in that heat,” Florence said. “His wave choice was so good. Every time I would pull off a wave, he’d be right behind me on a bigger, better wall. You win some and lose some, and I’ll still take a lot from that heat and work on that heading into the next couple of events. Every event you go in you’re looking for the win, so a 25th is no worse than a 13th, anything but a win is all the same. I’m feeling really good this year. I just need to get back into that competitive mindset and focus on my wave choice and hopefully not get another last-place finish at Bells Beach.” 

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion and 2014 event winner, did not let himself fall into the upset conversation with his win over Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in Round 2. The Brazilian unleashed his signature backhand surfing to secure his win with a 13.00 combined score (out of a possible 20). 

Trials winner Fioravanti charged through the heat with big attempts but was not able to lock in the two-wave requirement to defeat the Brazilian superstar. After falling off the elite tour last year, Fioravanti leaves in 25th place and will head back to the Qualifying Series tour. 

“The wildcards can be so dangerous as we just saw with Mikey [Wright] taking out John John [Florence] so I knew Leo [Fioravanti] was going to be hard,” Medina said. “It was really hard to find a good wave out there, but it looks like there are some good waves coming, so I’m stoked to get through. I’m feeling fit and my boards feel great, so I’m really excited to have the 2018 season underway.”

With the withdrawal of 11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA), Michael February (ZAF)was given the opportunity of a lifetime to take his spot as an injury replacement. February took full advantage of his position and took down 2016 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event winner Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in a tight Round 2 matchup. After back-to-back finals at Snapper Rocks, Wilkinson was a clear favorite, but the powerful goofy-foot was unable to get into a rhythm, leaving February to take his first victory on the biggest stage in surfing. 

“Kelly [Slater] messaged me to explain his situation, which was really cool to get his perspective and share mine with him,” February said. “It’s unfortunate for him to have to pull out, but I’m stoked to have the opportunity to surf in a Championship Tour event. The end of last year was so tough as I just missed out on qualification so to have a chance now feels amazing. It’s been a weird couple of days waiting to find out if I’d be in the event so it’s great to now be in and to win my first heat feels incredible.” 


Caption: Injury replacement Michael February (ZAF) eliminated 2016 event winner and 2017 event runner-up, Matt Wilkinson (AUS), in Round 2 Heat 3 of the Quiksilver Pro. 
Caption: © WSL /  Sloane

2012 WSL World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) found redemption in his Round 2 heat, posting the highest two-wave total of the event so far, an excellent 17.03. Parkinson’s local knowledge was evident as he escaped the biggest barrel of the day to dispatch of California’sPat Gudauskas (USA) on his return to the CT. The two-time Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast event winner also squashed any question of a looming retirement. 

“It’s funny that after all these years the first elimination heat of the season always gets that nervous feeling going," Parkinson said. “Motivation in competition is easy to find because surfing is something that I have always loved and that’s why we do what we do. I’m looking forward to doing this for the rest of this year and hopefully a few years to come.” 

2016 WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) will also advance through to Round 3 after eliminating compatriot Ian Gouveia (BRA) in Heat 4. 

In his first Championship Tour event representing Japan, the last thing Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)wanted was an equal 25th finish, but this was a possibility before he came up against Keanu Asing (HAW) in Heat 8 of Round 2. Asing had a fair bit to prove also as he made his return to the CT after being relegated to the Qualifying Series in 2017. With conditions slowing at the bottom of the tide, the two traded average scores throughout the heat, but it was Igarashi who came out on top at the heat’s end. 

2018 CT Rookies Michael Rodrigues (BRA), Tomas Hermes (BRA), and Wade Carmichael (AUS) survived their first Round 2 elimination heats today after defeating Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Joan Duru (FRA), and Jesse Mendes (BRA), respectively. 

Event organizers will reconvene at 6:30 a.m. local time to make the next call. 

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:

Mid period, mid-size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will fill in today. There is good confidence we will see NE to E swell Wed-Thu, easing slowly into and over the weekend as the swell direction shifts more ESE/SE. Long range guidance points to more mid-size ESE/SE swell around the last couple to few days of the event window.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Mikey Wright (AUS) 15.10 def. John John Florence (HAW) 10.76
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.00 def. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 7.90
Heat 3: Michael February (ZAF) 11.03 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 8.97
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 11.40 def. Ian Gouveia (BRA) 10.07
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.03 def. Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 9.67
Heat 6: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 14.67 def. Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 10.80
Heat 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.16 def. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 9.90
Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 10.60 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 8.86
Heat 9: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 12.90 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 10.83 
Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) 12.20 def. Yago Dora (BRA) 10.60
Heat 11: Tomas Hermes (BRA) 14.93 def. Joan Duru (FRA) 12.17 
Heat 12: Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.74 def. Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.13

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Matchups:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 2: Mick Fanning (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 5: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Adrian Buchan (AUS)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 7: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Michael February (ZAF)
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Griffin Colapinto (USA)
Heat 10: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 11: Connor O’Leary (AUS)  vs. Michel Bourez (PYF)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Matchups: 
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)

Caption: Third-year CT surfer Keely Andrew (AUS) upset the competition today by eliminating 6x WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast. 
Caption: © WSL /  Sloane

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COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Monday, March 12, 2018) - The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), continued today with the women’s Semifinalists decided in clean three-to-four foot (1 - 1.2 metre) waves. With the conditions holding up all day, event officials decided to run through Rounds 2, 3, and the Quarterfinals. Now only four surfers remain in contention for the 2018 Roxy Pro Gold Coast title. 

In what was undoubtedly the upset of the entire event, six-time Roxy Pro Gold Coast event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) was taken down by fellow Queenslander Keely Andrew (AUS). Six-time WSL Champion Gilmore looked in good touch throughout the day but fell victim to a slow ocean in Quarterfinal 4 waiting with priority until the final minutes, only to find a midrange score. Needing to improve her situation in the dying seconds, Andrew took off on a smaller wave and got to work, tagging it all the way down the point to post a 6-point ride and progress into the Semifinals. Gilmore finishes her home event in a respectable Equal 5th position.  

“I’m a bit shocked right now,” Andrew said. “Surfing out here against Steph [Gilmore] at her home break was incredible. The waves looked fun all day, but it slowed down a lot in our Quarterfinal. I was so nervous because she only needed a small score, and I only found out that I’d won when I got back to the surfer’s area. I’ve worked really hard in the offseason and it feels so good to know that the hard work has paid off.”

2017 Roxy Pro Gold Coast runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA) was in ominous form today. The Californian posted excellent scores all the way to the Quarterfinals where she eventually eliminated reigning WSL Champion and current World No. 1, Tyler Wright (AUS). Peterson’s trademark frontside arcs sent a shot over the bow of her fellow competitors as she hunts for her first CT Victory since 2012. 

“It’s crazy -- it’s only two days into the season and I’m into the Semis,” Peterson said. “We’ve had perfect, quintessential Snapper today with long perfect waves and sunshine. Tyler [Wright] is a two-time World Champion for a reason and she’s someone I look up to, but I always feel like I surf my best against the best. The only option I had to beat her was for me to surf my best, so I couldn’t hold back. There was nothing I could do to change her surfing, so I just focused on mine and it worked out in the end.”


Caption: Californian Lakey Peterson (USA) will advance to the Semifinals after defeating 2x WSL Champion and Jeep Frontrunner, Tyler Wright (AUS), in the Quaterfinals. 
Caption: © WSL /  Sloane

After an injury-plagued 2017 season, Hawaii’s Malia Manuel comes into 2018 with the aim of involving herself heavily in the World Title conversation from the start of the season. The stylish natural-footer has already achieved this with an amazing display at Snapper Rocks. Manuel’s best performance came in Quarterfinal 2 where she posted one of the highest heat totals of the event, a 15.83 (out of a possible 20), to overcome three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), who leaves in Equal 5th place. 

“I’ve met Carissa [Moore] in the Quarters a couple of times here in the past and she’s beaten me every single time,” Manuel said. “I remember some of those matchups and they were a bit slow and hard to choose what waves to take, but today we had so many waves and this is exactly what you want from your first event of the year. This will be my first Semi at Snapper and it’s a great start to the year for me. Hopefully, I can use this momentum as it’s a long year ahead.”

Current World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) looked destined to end up in the Semifinals as she tore through the field at Snapper Rocks. In Quarterfinal 3, she had the tough task of challenging 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA) -- who had been taking down the big names all day -- with an impressive display of backhand surfing. Marks’ run came to an end at the hands of Fitzgibbons who was on fire, posting the highest heat total of the entire event, a 16.57 (out of a possible 20).

“It feels so good to be out there on a dreamy day like this,” Fitzgibbons said. “The waves have this perfect shape to them. I was out there in my own world enjoying surfing and I’ve found myself in the Semis. It’s been an exciting day to watch. There’s been a lot of excellent surfing and fins being thrown and I really enjoy the progressive side of the sport. I’ve been having so much fun in my freesurfs, and I’ve been trying to bring some of that into my heat surfing.”

Although Marks was unable to overcome Fitzgibbons, she finishes her first CT event as a rookie in Equal 5th after taking down some of surfing's biggest names including Sage Erickson (USA),Silvana Lima (BRA), and Gilmore. 

“I think a few years ago, I would have been star-struck and not sure of what to do out there,” Marks said. “But now, even though they’re my idols, I really want to beat them and go and out and perform and win. Today wasn’t my day, but I just need to focus on the positives.”

Event officials will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. AEST for a potential 7:00 a.m.start. 

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:

Mid period, mid size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will likely build in through Tuesday. Confidence is increasing that a new low/tropical cyclone will set up larger ENE to E swell Wed-Thu, easing slowly into and over the weekend as the swell direction shifts more ESE/SE. Long range guidance points to more mid size ESE/SE swell around the last couple days of the event window.

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.06 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 8.10
Heat 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.33 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 11.16
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.17 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 10.40
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 14.17 def. Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.80
Heat 5: Keely Andrew (AUS) 15.33 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 9.50
Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.76 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 11.27

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 3 Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 16.26, Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.76, Macy Callaghan (AUS) 8.64
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.96, Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.04, Coco Ho (HAW) 11.86
Heat 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.40, Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.76
Heat 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 14.97, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.16, Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.53

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results: 
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.23 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.67
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.83 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.60
Heat 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.57 def. Caroline Marks (USA) 13.77
Heat 4: Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.87 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 10.83

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Matchups: 
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Michael February (ZAF)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 6: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs, Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 8: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 9: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 10: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
Heat 11: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 12: Jesse Mendes (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)

Caption: 11X WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) has formally withdrawn from the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. 
Caption: © WSL /  Kirstin

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Monday, March 12, 2018) - Kelly Slater (USA), 11-time WSL Champion, has formally withdrawn from the opening event of the 2018 WSL Championship Tour season, the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, citing the ongoing rehabilitation of a foot injury sustained in July of last season.

“I think the best thing for me to do is withdraw from the event,” Slater said. “My gut feeling has been to use this injury as a platform to overhaul and reset my mind and body. The looming excitement about a new year starting, my foot sort of magically allowing me to surf the past couple of days and a number of other factors had me talking myself back into jumping in as soon as possible against my better judgment. I feel I've had a couple of half-hearted attempts these past couple of years fighting injury and desire. The foot injury symbolizes a lot at this point in my career both as an ending and as a beginning.” 

A six-time winner of Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (1997, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2013), Slater was eager to return to competition for the opening event of the year, especially with a great surf forecast coinciding with the event window. However, the foot injury sustained in South Africa last season has yet to fully heal prompting the sporting icon to withdraw from the event. 

“Hearing Mick talk about his choice yesterday rang true for me also around doing things that make you uncomfortable,” Slater continued. “Competing is a natural environment for us both and it's the easy route for me. I think it’s best that I properly rehabilitate the injury and choose to surf wholeheartedly, not from the excitement or stress of a last minute arrival. It's not super professional or responsible and it won't allow me to be at my best potential. I really love the energy around the events, especially a new year and I find myself at odds especially with a potential Kirra swell approaching. I wish the best for everyone this event and a special good luck to Mikey February who will surf in my absence. Let him know if he wins I'm requesting a 10% caddy fee! Thanks to the WSL and crew for helping accommodate my predicament and I'll be back when the time is right.”

Michael February (ZAF), first replacement for the 2018 WSL Championship Tour, will take Slater’s position in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast where he will surf against Keanu Asing (HAW)in Heat 7 of Round 2.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 6: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 7: Michael February (ZAF) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
Heat 10: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 11: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 12: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)

For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com. 

Caption: 2018 CT Rookie Griffin Colapinto (USA) upset the competition today by taking down John John Florence (HAW), World No. 1 and 2X WSL Champion in the first event of the 2018 Championship Tour season. 
Caption: © WSL /  Cestari

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COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Sunday, March 10, 2018) - The opening day of theQuiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Stop No. 1 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), kicked off the new season with unpredictable drama, as big upsets shook the opening rounds of competition. 

The world's best surfers charged the three-to-five foot (1 - 1.5 metre) conditions and challenging current at Snapper Rocks to complete Round 1 and set the stage for the upcoming, nail-biting Round 2 elimination heats. 

Gabriel Medina (BRA), 2014 WSL Champion, earned the last position in his heat against compatriot Italo Ferreira (BRA) and event wildcard Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) after a dramatic interference call in Round 1 Heat 5. Medina’s wave, which would have been an excellent-range score and potentially the heat winner, was disqualified due to the interference penalty on Fioravanti. Brazilian threat Ferreira was able to lock in a solid 7.33 (out of a possible 10) and 6.93 to take advantage of Medina’s setback and advance through to Round 3. Fioravanti and Medina will need to surf again in elimination Round 2 to avoid the dreaded last place result. 

“That was a pretty crazy heat, but I just tried to do my job out there,” Ferreira said. “I’m really excited to start off with a heat win. I’ve been training really hard over the offseason and am feeling really confident. Last year was tough for me, so I really want to improve my seed and have a big season.” 

2018 CT Rookie Griffin Colapinto (USA) upset the competition today by taking down current World No. 1 John John Florence (HAW) in Round 1 Heat 6. Today marked Florence’s first Round 1 loss since the 2016 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, ending his run of 12-straight Round 1 CT wins. Colapinto escaped out of a challenging tube to earn the winning ride, a 7.67. Florence will be relegated to elimination Round 2 along with event wildcard Mikey Wright (AUS), who was not able to find the waves to challenge the rookie.

“I knew that Mikey [Wright] was going to paddle deep to get the inside, then John John [Florence] did too, luckily for me they both fell on their first waves and when mine came through it was a good one,” Colapinto said. “It feels really good to get the Round 1 win over those guys in my first event, but I’m trying not to hype it up. At the end of the day, it’s only Round 1 and I have goals of getting some big results this year so I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Owen Wright (AUS) is off to a strong start to defend his Quiksilver Pro event title after his win in the opening heat of Round 1 against Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Ezekiel Lau (HAW). Wright scoured the lineup to find the only two mid-range scores in the heat to advance straight through to Round 3. 

“Because this is the first heat of the year and the first heat of the day, you build it up in your head,” said Wright. “But sometimes you end up just grinding the heat out, as the waves were not there. I am feeling great. Last year, my health was on the rise and I am taking the confidence from last year into this season. A win is a win, and I am happy to move through.” 

2017 World No. 3 Julian Wilson (AUS) has had an up-and-down start to 2018 after injuring his shoulder in a motorbike accident in late January, then just over a week ago welcoming his first child into the world with his wife Ashley. The Sunshine Coaster started his 2018 competitive campaign with a Round 1 win over Joan Duru (FRA) and Ian Gouveia (BRA).

“I had my first surf since the injury only three days ago,” Wilson said. “It still hurts and I’ve got to dig deep to push through the pain, but I’ve got a great crew around me and I know it’s only going to get better. Being out of the water has reconnected me with my love of surfing and I’m in a good place. I drove down from the Sunshine Coast at 3:30 a.m. this morning, I’ve just had a baby girl, Olivia, and I wanted to spend as much time as possible with her and my wife Ashley. Luckily I won and now I can drive back up to see my girls. After an injury and focusing on having a baby, I’ve never come into to this event with no pressure and nothing to lose, which is a nice feeling, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the week goes.”

Jordy Smith (ZAF), current World No. 4, put together a solid result to win his Round 1 heat against Americans Conner Coffin and Patrick Gudauskas. Smith, 2017 World Title contender, has made his intentions known that he is after a big result here at Snapper Rocks to kick off his 2018 Title campaign. 

“I’m excited for a fresh start to the year,” Smith said. “This is such a great location to kick off the year, and although the waves are a little tough today, I’m excited to for the season ahead and want to keep motivating myself to surf and enjoy doing what I do. My major focus this year is a World Title. I’m going to keep knocking on that door but will just take it one event at a time.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), who announced his retirement from CT competition earlier this month, took a win in the last heat of the men’s opening round. Fanning faced off in a two-man heat against Brazilian rookie Jesse Mendes, after 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) did not paddle out due to injury. Fanning battled a wave-starved heat and a ripping current but was able to progress with a couple of mid-range scores. Slater’s absence places him into elimination Round 2, where he will come up against Keanu Asing (HAW).

“The crowd was incredible,” Fanning said “In years gone past, I might have tried to block it out, but sitting and surfing out there I really tried to soak it in. I just want to thank everyone for coming down. It would be awesome to win here, but I’m not aiming to win the event for myself. I want to go out and put on a show and perform as a way to thank my family, friends and fans for all the support for all these years.” 

2012 WSL Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS) fell to fellow CT veteran Jeremy Flores (FRA) in Heat 9. Parkinson was on the cusp of advancing through but missed the win by just two points on his last attempt. 

Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 2017 event runner-up and 2016 event winner, was relegated to elimination Round 2 today after losing to CT veteran Michel Bourez (PYF) and rookie Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in Heat 2. Bourez found two strong scores, a 6.17 and 7.00, to skip the next elimination round.

Unlike Colapinto, rookies Yago Dora (BRA), Willian Cardoso (BRA), Tomas Hermes (BRA),Wade Carmichael (AUS), Rodrigues, and Mendes were not able to win their Round 1 heats and will surf again in Round 2. 

Following the men’s competition, the women completed Round 1 of the Roxy Pro where action continued with dramatic exchanges and heated competition to jumpstart the year. 

Three-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) set the bar in her first heat of the year with the highest combined of the day, an excellent 16.16 (out of a possible 20). Toward the end of the heat, Moore and compatriot Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) had a close-encounter where Weston-Webb surfed the same wave just as Moore came out of a deep barrel by utilizing her priority. Unfortunately, Weston-Webb’s efforts only resulted in a 2-point ride whereas Moore captured an authoritative 8.83 and the win. 

“I was keeping my expectations low as all day it has looked tough out there so I was really surprised to post an excellent heat total,” Moore said. “That barrel that I got was so open and hollow. I could see her [Tatiana Weston-Webb] paddling for it and knew I had to get out and then get out of the way. When I did come out, I didn’t know if they would score it so when they did I was stoked.” 

In an unexpected turn of events, Macy Callaghan (AUS) -- injury replacement for Courtney Conlogue (USA) -- defeated six-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in Round 1 Heat 4. Callaghan’s performance not only earned her the ability to skip Round 2 but also enabled her to showcase what is to come in the next generation of surfers. 2017 Rookie of the YearBronte Macaulay (AUS) did not find the scores against Callaghan either and will also surf again when competition gets back underway. 

“Steph (Gilmore) is my biggest inspiration, so it was cool to come up against her, but I was definitely really nervous,” Callaghan said. “I really want to qualify for the Championship Tour full-time next year, so I have been training a lot and dialing in my boards, so I feel super prepared. It was a slow heat for waves, so I was really lucky to get that early one and post a solid score.” 


Caption: Injury replacement Macy Callaghan (AUS) took down 6X WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) for an early shake-up in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast event. 
Caption: © WSL /  Cestari

Tyler Wright (AUS), defending WSL Champion, powered through her Round 1 heat to earn an early win over Malia Manuel (HAW) and event wildcard Bianca Buitendag (ZAF). The current World No. 1 first captured the lead with a 4.50 and locked in the win with a 5.67 backup ride. 

“I don’t know if I missed all the good waves, but from where I was sitting it was really tricky out there,” Wright said. “My goals are basically the same: Win every heat, Final and World Title. It was my first real preseason working with my coach Glenn Hall and we worked on fitness, which helped out there because there was a lot of paddling. It’s good to start the year. Hopefully, I can find a few better scores in the next round.”  

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), current World No. 3, blitzed through Heat 5 after gaining early control over Silvana Lima (BRA) and Paige Hareb (NZL). Fitzgibbons’ sharp surfing earned her two 6-point rides for her first heat win of the season. The Australian, who has yet to earn a win at Snapper Rocks, is ready to do battle in her next matchup. 

Fresh of a recent Qualifying Series 6,000 event win in Newcastle, Hawaii’s Coco Ho (HAW)carried her form into her opening round heat on the Gold Coast, where she came up againstNikki Van Dijk (AUS) and Sage Erickson (USA). Ho was lucky to find a long, open Snapper wall to post a 6.00 point ride in a heat where quality waves were scarce. She ended the matchup with a total of 9.93 and progresses into Round 3. 

Johanne Defay (FRA) will also advance to Round 3 after defeating 2017 event runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA) and 2018 CT Rookie Caroline Marks (USA). Defay narrowly edged out the Californian by 1.03 points to capture the first women’s heat win of the 2018 CT season. Peterson and Marks will be sent to elimination Round 2, where they will fight to stay in the draw. 

Event officials will reconvene tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. AEST to make the next call for a potential 7:00 a.m. start. 

Surfline, WSL forecast partner, is calling for:

SE tradeswell eases Monday with lighter wind expected. Mid period, mid size E swell from former Cyclone Hola will likely build in through Tuesday, with light wind possible in the morning. A separate low may set up larger ENE to E swell around Wed-Thu, although we’re lower confidence on the details at this point.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 9.90, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 5.20, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 4.57
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.17, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.26, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.67
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.66, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.10, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.64
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.60, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.30, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 7.27
Heat 5:  Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.26, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 8.44, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.05
Heat 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.50, John John Florence (HAW) 7.50, Mikey Wright (AUS) 2.00
Heat 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.63, Keanu Asing (HAW) 7.83, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 5.60
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.30, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8.67, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 8.07
Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.24, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 9.94, Yago Dora (BRA) 6.86
Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.56, Frederico Morais (PRT) 9.00, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 5.50
Heat 11: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.16, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 7.63, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 7.46
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.60, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 9.80, Kelly Slater (USA) 0.00

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1:John John Florence (HAW) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 6: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
Heat 10: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 11: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 12: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.53, Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.50, Caroline Marks (USA) 9.70
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.16, Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 10.50, Keely Andrew (AUS) 9.87
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.17, Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.60, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 7.90
Heat 4: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 11.84, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6.50, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 1.27
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.77, Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.93, Silvana Lima (BRA) 3.63
Heat 6: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Matchups:
Heat 1:Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Heat 2: Sage Erickson (USA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 5: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
Heat 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 

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: From left to right - John John Florence (HAW), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Tyler Wright (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Gail O'Neill, Councillor for Area 14 (Coolangatta Area) 
Caption: © WSL /  Cestari

COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Thursday, March 8, 2018) - The world’s best surfers have landed in Australia and are ready for the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) season openers, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast. 

The Gold Coast of Australia has been a bedrock of professional surfing for more than 40 years and has produced more World Champions than any other place on the planet. The first stop on the 2018 CT will launch the highly-anticipated World Title race at the famed break of Snapper Rocks. 

Reigning WSL Champions John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS) come ready to do battle on the Gold Coast. Both competitors have put in serious training in the offseason and are ready to kick off their WSL Title campaigns at Stop No. 1 of the 2018 WSL Tour. 

Florence has not lost a Round 1 heat since the 2016 Peniche Pro Portugal -- meaning that he has surfed 12 straight events without an opening-round loss. The 25-year-old expressed his desire go for a third-straight Title this season. If his intentions are not clear enough by his comments post-season, perhaps his three-day mission to the Gold Coast to test boards -- during the Volcom Pipe Pro window -- is telling enough. 

“My main goal coming into this year is to win another World Title,” Florence said. “I also want to make sure I really enjoy every part of the season and continue to learn more about myself and my surfing. I want my surfing to keep getting better and it definitely can. I haven’t won here on the Gold Coast, which adds to my hunger. I have been warming up here recently and have a good understanding of the wave, so now we just have to wait for competition to kick off and I can’t wait for that.”

It is no secret that Wright is hunting down a third-consecutive World Title this season. The 23-year-old Australian has been open about her physical and mental training, and her pursuit to continue to learn and improve through this training. Last year Wright suffered a horrific knee injury, tearing 70 percent of her MCL in her right knee at the third-to-last CT stop of 2017. Wright showed incredible grit and determination to surf through the pain, and went on to win her second World Title. Now that Wright has had proper time to recover, the world is eager to see what she will be capable of in 2018. 

"The first event of the year is always exciting,” Wright said. “There are definitely nerves, but they're good nerves. A lot of us have either done Newcastle or Manly, so we're ready to go here at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast and most of those nerves have settled. The forecast is looking good, so we [might] get some good waves, maybe even a few behind the rock at Snapper. I’m pumped to see how everything unfolds and see how everyone is looking after the offseason."

In 2014, Gabriel Medina (BRA) was the first Brazilian competitor to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and he then went on to win his first World Title later that year. The tenacious goofyfooter then struggled to find consistent success in the years following. After an exceptional finish to his 2017 season, taking the Title race down to the wire, Medina is a favorite for the 2018 World Championship and knows all too well that the best kickstart is a victory at Snapper Rocks

"I'm feeling really good about this year,” said Medina. “I felt like I was surfing really well last year and picked up momentum through the end of the season. I've had a good offseason and am ready for Snapper to start. The World Title is always the goal." 

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), six-time WSL Champion, is capable of anything when she puts her mind to it. Gilmore is one of the most decorated surfers in history and ranks first in nearly every category amongst the other women on the CT since 2008: heat win percentage, CT event wins, heat wins, excellent heat scores and the list goes on, encompassing 10 years of dominance over the world’s best female surfers. With a win to end 2017 at the Maui Women’s Pro, Gilmore will hope to carry that momentum into the new year. 

“To be able to spend the first event at home, just 300 meters from my house is fantastic,” said Gilmore. “I put a lot of my success on Tour down to the fact that I have this event at home and the longer I’m on Tour, the more I appreciate how lucky I am. The start of every season feels a little different. I’m in a different headspace each time I go into the first event. This year, particularly with Mick, retiring, it feels different, but this is what happens, and I’ve always had a good perspective on where I am in life and right now I just love being on Tour. I’ve just decided to enjoy it — obviously, you miss things at home and your friends, but right now I feel like I could do the Tour for a long time.”

Owen Wright (AUS) comes into Snapper Rocks as the defending event winner after one of the most inspiring comebacks in sporting history. Wright suffered a near career-ending head injury in 2015 at Pipeline. Many thought that Wright would never surf again. Instead, he shocked the world with his momentous comeback win at Snapper, his first CT event back. Last season, Wright continued as a major World Title contender and finished as World No. 6. 

Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) announced this year that he will represent Japan on the 2018 WSL CT. The 20-year-old hopes to surf for Japan in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Igarashi is the first competitor to formally represent Japan on the elite Tour. Igarashi is a dual citizen of Japan and the US. In 2016, Igarashi joined the CT as its youngest member (then 17) and has proven to be a leader in the next generation of progressive surfers. 

“Coming into my first Championship Tour event representing Japan is really exciting,” Igarashi said. “I feel like I’ve made a lot of changes this season just to keep it fresh and different. Being the first Japanese representative on the WSL Championship Tour is a real honor and I want to make sure I represent well and be a good role model. I have an amazing affinity with the Gold Coast and its waves, from traveling here as a kid to my first international contest at Snapper Rocks. It is always great to come back. I’m excited for everything to get underway and see how it unfolds.” 

2017 World Title contender Courtney Conlogue (USA) has had to withdraw from the Roxy Pro Gold Coast after sustaining a foot injury while warming up at Snapper Rocks. Conlogue will be replaced by former World Junior Champion Macy Callaghan (AUS) who was one heat away from qualification last year.

Saturday the 10th March Snapper Rocks will play host to the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Trials, plus the Juraki Indigenous Challenge. The trials will see a combination of Quiksilver and Roxy athletes take on Queensland state champions and WSL regional and international Qualifying Series competitors the likes of Mitch Parkinson, Leonardo Fioravanti, Ethan Ewing, Piper Harrison, Kobie Enright, Vahine Fierro and many more.

The Juraki Indigenous see WSL Championship Tour surfers pair up with some local Indigenous kids for two teams heats with winner-takes-all bragging rights. 

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Conner Coffin (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS), Joan Duru (FRA), Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), TBD
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW), Griffin Colapinto (USA), TBD
Heat 7: Kolohe Andino (USA), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Willian Cardosa (BRA)
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Yago Dora (BRA)
Heat 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Frederico Morais (PRT), Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS), Kelly Slater (USA), Jesse Mendes (BRA)

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA), Johanne Defay (FRA), Caroline Marks (USA)
Heat 2: Carissa Moore (HAW), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Keely Andrew (AUS)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), TBD
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bronte Macaulay (AUS), Macy Callaghan (AUS)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA), Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 6: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)

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.