Griffin Colapinto and Johanne Defay Win 2024 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal

• Colapinto Secures Second Supertubos Title and Rankings Lead
• Defay Claims First European Win, Climbs to World No.2
• Ewing, Wright Place Runners-Up in Portugal

Pictured: Griffin Colapinto and Johanne Defay, Winners of the 2024 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

Competition resumed at dawn with the men’s Quarters and women’s Semis before taking a break over the lowest part of the tide. The event was called back ON with the building swell on the incoming tide and the day culminated with the event finals held before capacity-crowds at the iconic praia de Supertubos.

“It was weird, I started off strong and then Ethan and I were just trading off mistakes back and forth,” Colapinto said. “Then I found that first barrel and when I went for the turn I almost fell, was on both my knees and somehow made it back to my feet, and that switched the momentum. And then I got down the beach for that 9 and finished it off with a barrel.”

Griffin Colapinto (USA) had a brilliant start in the Final, finding two good scores right away while Ethan Ewing (AUS) was scouring the lineup for opportunities. The Australian fought back midway through with two backhand turns on a meaty left and came right back in the fight. Colapinto then found a great barrel on a rare right and packed a solid closeout turn to post an excellent 8.27 (out of a possible 10) and solidify his lead.

The Californian put the final nail in his opponent’s coffin with an insane barrel on his backhand this time for a near-perfect 9.67 and his second win at Supertubos, his career-fourth.

“It was really nice watching Crosby surf his heats. I was so invested in what he was doing that I felt like I was surfing twice as many heats,” Colapinto added. “I had a hip surgery in the off season and it took me almost three months to get back in the water. I put so much effort in and I thought it would pay off right away but in Hawaii I got two 9th. Sometimes you just have to trust it, now I have a win so I’m psyched.”

The 2022 winner in Peniche, Colapinto was unstoppable on finals day, taking out Joan Duru (FRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) on his way to the Final before putting on a barrel riding clinic for the win. Last year’s World No.3 has now taken over the rankings and will wear yellow heading to Australia, having secured his spot among the best for the back half of the season.

“It’s overwhelming,” Defay said. “Waves changed and the swell arrived for sure, I think we both had similar strategies and maybe we both had boards a little bit small for these waves. I focused on the lefts obviously and was looking for two turns but in the end one was enough.”

Waves got scarce in the women’s Final and tested the nerves of two of the most experienced surfers in the field. Johanne Defay (FRA) was first to put a couple of decent scores on the board, applying pressure on her opponent Tyler Wright (AUS) as time slowly dripped away.

Both surfers focused on the lefts and at that game the French surfer from Reunion Island had the upper hand, applying her polished backhand turns in the right sections like she has done countless times to win big events. As time continued to slip away, the Australian was unable to find an open wall to work her magic and Defay claimed the win.

This marks Defay’s sixth career CT win, her first on European soil, and moved her into second place on the rankings ahead of the Australian leg. It also signals her official return to 100% form after a difficult season last year, plagued by an injury early on.

“Last year was fun and weird at the same time,” Defay added. “I really enjoyed my time at home even if I was injured, it was kind of a break that I deserved too. Coming back to contests it was hard to find my feet again and my fire but I worked hard and just wanted to show my injury didn’t take me out completely. ”

Prior to today, Defay had never made it past the Quarters at Supertubos, but as lefts started pumping in the middle of the beach, the powerful regular foot reveled and dominated once again. With a solid start in Hawaii and back-to-back Quarterfinals, Defay’s win today puts her right on the heels of World No.1 Molly Picklum (AUS) in the rankings.

Pictured: Ethan Ewing’s sharp rail game on full display on finals day. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

Last year’s runner-up in the world, Ethan Ewing (AUS) posted his best result to date in Portugal but couldn’t quite convert all the way for a third CT win. He still showcased some of the event’s finest surfing to dispatch two ferocious goofies, Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) on his way to the Final.

“It was super cool to surf the Final with Griffin, we’re really good friends,” Ewing said. “We haven’t had that many man-on-man heats together but they’re always super fun. When I came to Portugal I was really unhappy with my surfing but just to kind of pull through that and the cold water and the long travel was great.”

The Australian has also officially made the Mid-season Cut with this result and before heading home to Australia. Ewing and Colapinto had previously eliminated Crosby Colapinto (USA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) respectively in their Semifinal matchups.

Pictured: Tyler Wright had a solid run in Peniche up until the Final. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

After her worst season start since qualifying full time in 2011, two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) has put two third-round exits in her rearview mirror and found her pace in Portugal to reach the Final.

“It’s amazing, I feel like this has been a really key point for my year,” Wright stated. “It’s taken me a while to figure out some of the different changes that I’ve had going on. I’m really excited to be in Portugal, honestly, this is me and my wife’s favorite event all year, so thank you Portugal for having us, I really enjoyed myself.”

Open about health issues and the changes she has made to continue to progress in her career and life, Wright has definitely found her form again and will be a threat as she heads to Bells Beach where she is the back-to-back defending event winner.

Defay and Wright had previously eliminated Lakey Peterson (USA) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) respectively in their Semifinal matchups.

After an Opening Round poor performance, three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) found his groove again and started to build momentum at an event he’s extremely familiar with and has the full support of the local crowds. The Brazilian went on an absolute rampage through the rounds, posting 16.60, 17.16 and 18.00 heat totals (out of a possible 20) on his way to the Semis.

Despite a last-minute good effort, Medina came up just short against Colapinto in their Semis bout but this result has propelled him into 15th place on the rankings with a ton of momentum and confidence.

To catch up on all news and highlights from the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal presented by Corona (March 26-April 5th) as well as replay key heats and moments, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Final Results:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.83 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.50

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 10.97
HEAT 2: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.50 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 14.94

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.36 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.30
HEAT 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.54 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.93

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 12.27 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 9.00
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.17 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 7.67
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 18.00 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.13
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 13.43 DEF. Joan Duru (FRA) 7.46

Next Stop: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 
The next stop on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour will be the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The competition window opens on Tuesday, March 26 and closes on Friday, April 5, 2024. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

EARLIER UPDATES OF ENTIRE EVENT BELOW…

Defay beat Tyler Wright and Colapinto eliminated Ethan Ewing in the Final heat!

Full story coming…

Finals Day was Called ON at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal at 8:03AM WET with Men’s Quarterfinals

EVENT WENT ON HOLD DUE TO THE TIDE…then continued at the afternoon to finish the event.

The Men lock size up their semifinal matchups as Crosby Colapinto locks in first Semifinal of his freshman year, Ethan Ewing lays down first excellent rail score of the morning, Gabriel Medina boasts near-perfect heat, and Griffin Colapinto brings a family-affair final one step closer to reality.

Johanne Defay and Tatiana Weston-Webb will battle for their maiden Portugal crown.

• Women and Men’s Semis and Finals to Follow
• Watch LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com
• MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Semifinals Matchups:
  HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA)
  HEAT 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)

  MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
  HEAT 1: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
  HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
  HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
  HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

Pictured: Rookie Crosby Colapinto (USA) will surf in the opening Quarter today at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

The women and men’s Semis and Finals will follow and the 2024 event winners will be crowned today at Supertubos.

Youngsters Jake Marshall (USA) and Crosby Colapinto (USA) will fight in the opening men’s Quarter for their first-ever Semifinal on the CT. Former runner-up in the world Ethan Ewing (AUS) faces a fired up Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) in the second Quarter.

Two past winners here are still in contention in the men’s Quarters, three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) who will be facing Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) in the third heat of the day, and Griffin Colapinto (USA) up against a former finalist, event wildcard Joan Duru (FRA) in the last Quarterfinal.

The women’s Semis are stacked with talent and experience as well, featuring two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) against former winner here Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), and perennial threat Lakey Peterson (USA) up against Johanne Defay (FRA).

Watch the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Finals LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

Competition Called OFF Thursday and Friday

Next Call Saturday, March 16 at 7AM WET (9pm Friday nite HI Time)

New small to moderate NW swell rising esp. throughout the 2nd half of the day.

Pictured: A former finalist, Lakey Peterson (USA) will try to go one better at this year’s MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

Degrading conditions over the coming two days with smaller waves and onshore winds prompted event officials to push the final call for competition to Saturday.

The last day of the official event window offers the best possible scenario with renewed energy in the lineup and clement winds to wrap up competition in great waves at Portugal’s famed barreling beachbreak.

Two rookies on tour Crosby Colapinto (USA) and Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) have a lot to gain on finals day as well as they fight to secure a seat at the CT table for the remainder of the season.

Despite a Round of 16 exit in Portugal, Molly Picklum (AUS) is guaranteed to keep the yellow jersey heading home to Australia, but the four Semifinalists can make up a lot of ground and move into the Top 5 with a big result on Saturday.

Replay past competition days, read news and watch highlights from the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. By Corona, at WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

Pictured: Reigning World Champion Caroline Marks (USA) will chase a second win at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

The women’s Quarterfinals will hit the lineup first at 7:03 a.m and be followed by the men’s Quarters. Both men and women’s Semifinals and Finals are on standby for a potential later start. Event officials will monitor conditions as waves have decreased in size overnight.

In both fields the World No.1 has failed to make Finals Day and this promises big shifts in the rankings before the Tour moves down-under for the next two CT stops at Bells Beach and Margaret River. Massive points are up-for-grabs today in Portugal for those fighting to keep their spot among the world’s best ahead of the Mid-season Cut.

Watch it all go down LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

Watch LIVE
The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. by Corona is the third stop on the 2024 Championship Tour. The competition window closes on March 16, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue co-exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

• Competition Relocates to back to Supertubos, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal was Called Back ON for Monday (Sunday nite for Hawaii)
• Men’s Round of 32 Starts at 7:03AM WET at Supertubos
• Men’s Round of 16 to Follow, Men and Women Quarterfinals on Standby

Pictured: John John Florence (HAW) surfed in the opening heat today at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

PRAIA DE SUPERTUBOS, Peniche / Portugal (Monday, March 11, 2024) – The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal presented by Corona, Stop No. 3 on the 2024 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), was called back ON at the main venue of Supertubos, starting with the men’s Round of 32 at 7:03 a.m. Powerful waves in the six foot range grace the lineup this morning and should allow for a full day of competition.

The men’s Round of 32 and Round of 16 will surf today, using the overlapping format where two heats share the lineup and a priority system is in place to ensure all four surfers in the lineup have first priority at some point. The men and women’s Quarterfinals are also on standby for a potential later start.

The opening heat will feature two-time World Champion and former winner in Peniche John John Florence (HAW) up against rookie Kade Matson (USA). Some important matchups will follow as we draw closer to the final rounds in Portugal and competitors start to think about the Mid-season Cut.

The women’s Quarterfinals could surf later today as well and the door is wide open with the current two frontrunners already out of the event.

Watch it all LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

• DAY 2. Molhe Leste Pumps, Women’s Quarterfinalists Decided at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
• Marks vs Lindblad Dubbed Women’s Superheat at Molhe Leste
• Bryan Makes First Quarterfinals this Season, Upsets World No.1 Picklum
• Wright Advances, Opens Up on Health Issues Over Off Season
• Colapinto, Igarashi, Medina, Waida Dominate Men’s Elimination Round
• Next Call Monday, March 11, 7AM WET at Supertubos  (Sunday nite 9pm HI time)

Pictured: Caroline Marks (USA) was the standout today at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal.. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

The Top 17 paddled out first at low tide for their Opening Round and a long day ensued, running through both Elimination Rounds as well as the women’s Round of 16. The shifting peaks, changing tides and lateral backwash challenged the world’s best in an exciting second day of competition in Peniche.

The reigning World Champion and former Peniche winner Caroline Marks (USA) took on rookie Sawyer Lindblad (USA) in the Round of 16 in an all-goofyfoot matchup. The Molhe Leste wedges provided lots of opportunities and both surfers attacked them relentlessly for 30 minutes, each finding the excellent range on their best wave, 8.83 for Marks over Lindblad’s 8.17. When the dust settled, Marks advanced into the Quarters and Lindblad posted the second-best performance of the day.

“That was a super fun heat, I think we both found where to sit out there on those really nice wedges,” Marks stated. “The backhand is both our strength and every time I have a heat with Sawyer it’s a high scoring one. I was really focused on doing my thing and we ended up having high scores, those heats are really fun and it feels good to come out on top.”

The San Clemente local, Lindblad continued to impress but unfortunately will leave Portugal with another 9th place finish, her third this season, and has some serious work ahead if she wants to secure her spot on tour for the back half of the season.

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) posted the day’s upset by eliminating World No.1 Molly Picklum (AUS) from competition in the women’s Round of 16. The Hawaiian surfed a smart heat and found opportunities in a slow matchup where her opponent was never on the right waves. Bryan’s powerful carves were a perfect match for the punchy rights of Molhe Leste and allowed her to advance through the Round of 16 for the first time this season.

“It’s been stormy so I’ve just been doing a few free surfs in hail, rain, shine, anything, just to get acclimated to the cold water and get in a rhythm,” Bryan explained. “The waves are powerful here which I really like and my board’s feeling great so I’m just really comfortable and feeling good!”

Rankings leader Picklum was uncharacteristically out of rhythm in that heat but can rejoice in the fact that she has already secured her spot ahead of the Mid-season Cut coming after Stop No.5 in Australia.

Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) also advanced into her first Quarters this season where she’ll face Bryan in a power clash of regular footers. The Australian scored the first excellent wave of the women’s event, an 8.00 (out of a possible 10) for a three-turn combination on a clean right and backed it up with another solid number for the win.

“I was actually really late for this heat so had to go back to basics, identify where your position is and roll the dice,” Wright admitted.

The 29 year-old then opened up on health issues she has been suffering from for a long time and heavy medical interventions over the off season to overcome those.

“I’ve had a fair few doctors and specialists tell me they don’t know how I do what I do,” Wright added. “I found out that most of the time I’m under-oxygenated and semi-suffocating. My airways are too small basically and over the off season I had it expanded. Honestly it’s been life-changing, it’s the sanest I’ve ever felt. It’s really successful, it’s changing my life but it’s also a process and that’s only step one and a half of a multi-step process.”

Luana Silva (BRA) was responsible for another big upset in taking out the defending event winner and current World No. 2 Caitlin Simmers (USA) in their Round of 16 bout.

Griffin Colapinto (USA) put on a masterclass in the men’s Elimination Round first heat, bouncing back after an unfortunate priority interference cost him the heat on the opening day earlier this week. The Californian figured the lineup out perfectly and found two clean rights to lay down his signature carves to post two 7+ scores for a 14.80 heat total (out of a possible 20).

“I think we were lucky with the mid tide coming in, usually when that happens a lot of waves seem to come through,” Colapinto reflected. “I’ve been surfing here the last couple of days, trying different boards and I was losing confidence quick. So I just had to put it all in the past, pull out the magic board from last year and it’s still magic!”

Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) took a similar route towards the Round of 32 but added a little flair with dynamic moves into the lip to post a solid win of his own and build momentum ahead of the next round.

“I never thought I’d be surfing a heat out at Molhe Leste,” Igarashi said. “It’s a wave I really love, I surf quite a bit actually, but it feels like more of a novelty wave and all of a sudden it’s the venue at one of the CTs so it felt really weird but it was fun.”

Three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was also one of the standouts in the men’s Elimination Round as he lit up on his backhand on the rights of Molhe Leste. A four turns combination for the Brazilian was what he needed to get his Peniche campaign back on track after a disappointing first round performance.

“I had a long trip coming here and felt really tired in the first round but we just had a few days off and it was good to relax,” Medina said. “That was pretty much my first good waves here and hopefully I can get a few more but I’m feeling good and my board feels good so I’m excited for the next round.”

Rio Waida (INA) took out the final ER heat ahead of Liam O’Brien (AUS) as both surfers live to fight another day in Peniche.

Conditions are expected to clean up drastically at Supertubos overnight and the next call will be at 7 a.m on Monday, March 11 at the main break for a potential big day of competition in pumping surf.

For more news and highlights from the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. By Corona, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Kade Matson (USA)
HEAT 2: Liam O’Brien (AUS) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Cole Houshmand (USA)
HEAT 4: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)
HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA)
HEAT 7: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR)
HEAT 8: Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Frederico Morais (POR)
HEAT 9: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Matias Canhoto (POR)
HEAT 10: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 11: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
HEAT 12: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 13: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW)
HEAT 14: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 15: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 16: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Joan Duru (FRA)

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.06 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.43
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.33 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 7.50
HEAT 3: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 14.17 DEF. India Robinson (AUS) 9.50
HEAT 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.43 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 5.50
HEAT 5: Caroline Marks (USA) 16.60 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 15.84
HEAT 6: Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.24 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.76
HEAT 7: Luana Silva (BRA) 12.07 DEF. Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.07
HEAT 8: Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.67 DEF. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 7.50

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.90 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.07, Francisca Veselko (POR) 7.07
HEAT 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) , Brisa Hennessy (CRC)

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Elimination Round Results:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.80 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.46, Joaquim Chaves (POR) 10.33
HEAT 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 14.76 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 12.97, Marco Mignot (FRA) 10.83
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.44, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 10.36
HEAT 4: Rio Waida (INA) 12.67 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 11.13, Ian Gentil (HAW) 9.2

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 11.03 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.00, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 6.14
HEAT 2: Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 11.76 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 10.34, Luana Silva (BRA) 6.44
HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 10.50 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 8.83, Francisca Veselko (POR) 8.67
HEAT 4: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 14.03 DEF. Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 13.80, Lakey Peterson (USA) 10.10
HEAT 5: Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.33 DEF. India Robinson (AUS) 8.43, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.56
HEAT 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.00 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 5.90, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 5.67

Watch LIVE
The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. by Corona is the third stop on the 2024 Championship Tour. The competition window closes on March 16, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue co-exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

Women’s Opening Round Started at 8:03AM Sunday WET at Molhe Leste (10pm Saturday HI Time)

Elimination Rounds Followed, Women’s Round of 16 on Standby

Watch it LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com 

REPLAY Day 2 started 6am Sunday…WSL’s YouTube channel,

Spectrum 20…

Pictured: Defending event winner Caitlin Simmers (USA) will surf in the opening heat today at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal. Credit: © WSL / Damien Poullenot

Competition will resume at 8:03 a.m with the women’s Opening Round, six heats of intense action featuring the world’s best 17 surfers and an event wildcard. The defending event winner in Peniche, current World No.2 Caitlin Simmers (USA) will be first out this morning against perennial threat Isabella Nichols (AUS) and rookie Alyssa Spencer (USA).

Rankings leader Molly Picklum (AUS) will quickly follow in the second heat. Former Peniche winners Caroline Marks (USA) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) will surf respectively in Heats 3 and 5.

The men and women’s Elimination Rounds will follow later on today and the women’s Round of 16 is also on standby for a potential start if conditions allow for a full day of competition.

Watch all the action unfold LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.

Watch LIVE
The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal pres. by Corona is the third stop on the 2024 Championship Tour. The competition window closes on March 16, 2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue co-exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.