WSL VIVO Rio Pro: Upsets, Semifinals, and Finals Day Drama in Brazil
The WSL VIVO Rio Pro in Saquarema, Brazil, delivered a thrilling spectacle of surfing, marked by unexpected upsets and intense competition. As the ninth stop on the Championship Tour, the event saw top-ranked surfers fall early, while others seized the opportunity to advance, setting the stage for a dramatic Finals Day with significant implications for the World Title race.
Unforeseen Upsets Rock Saquarema
The VIVO Rio Pro proved to be a graveyard for some of the Championship Tour’s top contenders, with several high-profile surfers facing early elimination. The unpredictable conditions at Praia de Itaúna, known for its powerful peaks and passionate crowd, contributed to the surprising outcomes.
- Women’s Elimination Round Shocks:
- World No. 1 Gabriela Bryan (Hawaii) was defeated by Peru’s Arena Rodriguez.
- Previously No. 2, Caity Simmers (USA) fell to Brazil’s Luana Silva in a tight heat, causing Simmers to drop to No. 3 in the rankings.
- Bettylou Sakura Johnson, a champion of previous events, was knocked out by Australia’s Tyler Wright.
These early exits reshaped the women’s rankings, with Australia’s Molly Picklum rising to No. 2.
Semifinals Set for High Stakes
As the competition progressed, the semifinals promised intense matchups with crucial World Title race points on the line. The women’s semifinals were particularly compelling.
- Women’s Semifinalists:
- American surf icon Caroline Marks advanced after a dominant performance against Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb, scoring 12.16.
- Marks was set to face Luana Silva, who posted the highest quarterfinal score of 12.80.
- Molly Picklum secured her spot, taking advantage of stumbles from higher-ranked competitors.
- The final women’s semifinal spot was contested between Lakey Peterson and Erin Brooks.
On the men’s side, the Elimination Round also saw significant shake-ups, with Yago Dora and Miguel Pupo delivering show-stopping performances. Pupo’s buzzer-beater win over four-time winner Filipe Toledo was a highlight, while World No. 3 Kanoa Igarashi and No. 6 Jack Robinson also faced early exits.
Finals Day Anticipation and Tour Implications
The stage was set for a thrilling Finals Day, with the remaining surfers battling for critical points that would shape the Final 5 picture for the Lexus WSL Finals in Fiji. The VIVO Rio Pro, known for its electric atmosphere and passionate Brazilian fans, provided a fitting backdrop for these high-stakes performances.
After the VIVO Rio Pro, the Championship Tour will head to the Corona Cero Open J-Bay in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, from July 11-20, as the competition continues to intensify towards the end of the season.
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.
- 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.
- Championship Tour Heads to Brazil’s Surfing Capital for the VIVO Rio ProPresented by Corona Cero, World Surf League.
