Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle has claimed a landmark victory at the Super Girl Surf Pro in Oceanside, California. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000 event saw McGonagle, a long-time standout at the competition, secure her first-ever win in Oceanside, becoming the first international competitor to achieve this feat.
Key Takeaways
- Leilani McGonagle of Costa Rica won the Super Girl Surf Pro, a WSL QS 4,000 event.
- This marks McGonagle’s maiden victory at the Super Girl Surf Pro and her fourth career QS win.
- She defeated two-time event champion Alyssa Spencer in a closely contested final.
- McGonagle’s performance propelled her to No. 5 on the North America rankings.
- The event also saw strong performances from other surfers, with Bailey Turner and Moana Jones Wong taking the No. 1 spots in their respective rankings.
McGonagle’s Dominant Performance
McGonagle, 24, showcased exceptional form throughout the competition, culminating in a decisive final against American Alyssa Spencer. The final heat was a back-and-forth affair, but McGonagle ultimately secured the win with an outstanding 8.17 score, overpowering Spencer’s efforts. This victory is particularly meaningful for McGonagle, as it was her first QS event win ten years ago. "This is one of the events I really wanted to win because it was my first-ever QS. It’s a very full circle moment after I think it’s been 10 years since I first did this event," McGonagle shared. "It’s really cool and awesome to be here with my friends and my mom. It just feels amazing."
Road to the Final
Before reaching the final, McGonagle navigated a challenging path, overcoming emerging talent Lanea Mons in the Round of 16 and facing a classic showdown with 2024 Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro winner Kirra Pinkerton. She further solidified her contention by defeating former Pipe Pro CT victor Moana Jones Wong to advance to the final.
Spencer’s Strong Runner-Up Finish
Alyssa Spencer, a two-time Super Girl Surf Pro victor, also delivered a strong performance, reaching the final for the second consecutive year. Her campaign included a notable heat against Zoey Kaina and a quarterfinal victory over defending event champion Eden Walla. Spencer expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, "I feel like I found my rhythm again. I haven’t made it past the Quarters in a contest since Portugal nearly two years ago since it’s been a long time since I’ve broken that Quarterfinal curse so it felt good to just show my surfing."
Semifinalists and Ranking Implications
Other notable performances included semifinal appearances by Bailey Turner and Moana Jones Wong. Turner’s consistent results, including two previous semifinals, saw her surge to the top of the North America rankings. Similarly, Jones Wong’s strong showing in the Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui region placed her at No. 1 in her respective rankings. The next event on the WSL North America QS season calendar is the La Marginal Surfing Pro QS 4,000, scheduled from October 29 to November 2.
### Sources
- Leilani McGonagle Wins Super Girl Surf Pro, World Surf League.
- Santa Cruz’s Kaikoura Nauenberg advances to Round of 32 at World Surf League’s Super Girl Surf Pro, Santa Cruz Sentinel.
- Highlights: Super Girl Surf Pro – Day 2, World Surf League.
