The WSL VIVO Rio Pro in Saquarema, Brazil, has been a hotbed of upsets, with top-ranked surfers facing early exits. Amidst the turbulence, American surf icon Caroline Marks has delivered a standout performance, securing her spot in the semifinals. The event continues to intensify as the Championship Tour nears its conclusion, setting the stage for thrilling finals.
Marks Dominates Quarterfinals
Caroline Marks, the 23-year-old American sensation, showcased her prowess by defeating Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb in the quarterfinals. Marks posted a commanding score of 12.16, significantly outscoring Weston-Webb’s 4.10. Her performance, highlighted by rides of 6.33 and 5.83, secured her advancement to the semifinals. Marks expressed her excitement about the Brazilian crowd, stating, "You can let the crowd get to you and the pressure, or you can let it hype you up. I was trying to let it excite me."
Upsets Rock the Competition
The VIVO Rio Pro has been marked by a series of unexpected eliminations among top-tier surfers. Notable upsets include:
- Gabriela Bryan: The Hawaiian surfer, previously ranked No. 1, was eliminated by Peru’s Arena Rodriguez in the Elimination Round.
- Caity Simmers: The American surfer, who dropped to No. 3 in the rankings, narrowly lost to Brazil’s Luana Silva.
- Bettylou Sakura Johnson: The champion of multiple previous events was knocked out by Australia’s Tyler Wright.
These early exits have reshaped the competition, allowing other contenders to rise.
Semifinal Showdowns
The semifinals are set to feature compelling matchups:
- Caroline Marks will face Luana Silva, who achieved the highest quarterfinal score of 12.80.
- The winner of the Lakey Peterson versus Erin Brooks heat will compete against rising Australian star Molly Picklum, who advanced by defeating Arena Rodriguez.
Key Takeaways
- The VIVO Rio Pro is known for its electric atmosphere and passionate Brazilian crowds.
- Saquarema, Brazil, is considered the "Maracanã of surfing" and a stronghold for the "Brazilian Storm" of surfers.
- The event often serves as a pivotal point in the Championship Tour season, with strong results here impacting world title races.
- The challenging and unpredictable waves of Saquarema demand adaptability and mental composure from surfers.
Following the VIVO Rio Pro, athletes will head to the Corona Cero Open J-Bay in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, for the tenth stop of the 2025 Championship Tour, scheduled from July 11-20.
Sources
- American Surf Icon Caroline Marks Reaches WSL VIVO Rio Pro Semifinals, Sports Illustrated.
- The Catch Up Day 2: Dramatics, excellence, and Saquarema’s electric energy set up Finals Day, World Surf League.
- WSL Rio Pro – the waves, history and more, Red Bull.
- Official Surfline Forecast: Solid swell due for Saquarema, World Surf League.
- Top Surfers Face Upsets During Elimination Round at WSL VIVO Rio Pro, Sports Illustrated.
