….for the Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic Pres. by Corona

Front Page: 3X World Champ and Legend Mick Fanning will face elimination round next.

• Shaky Start for Women’s Top Four
• Fanning Set For Elimination Round Showdown at Narrabeen
• Amuro Tsuzuki Gets Start on Championship Tour

NARRABEEN, New South Wales, Australia (Saturday, April 17, 2021) – The Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic presented by Corona, the third stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2021 Championship Tour (CT), commenced in tricky conditions for the women’s and men’s opening rounds. The top four women on the Leaderboard had shaky starts to their Narrabeen campaigns, while the men’s heats saw domination from the high seeds. The stage is now set for the Elimination Rounds.

Fans eagerly awaited Rip Curl wildcard Mick Fanning’s (AUS) competitive return at North Narrabeen in Heat 6 of Round 1, his first time back in a CT jersey since retiring from full-time competition in 2018. Coincidentally, Fanning came up against reigning World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), who he competed against in his last heat back in 2018, along with Aussie rookie Morgan Cibilic. Three-time World Champion Fanning had his work cut out for him as Ferreira posted the highest two-wave combination of the day with his trademark display of aerial and sharp surfing. Fanning was unable to find his winning rhythm and will take his chances again in the Elimination Round when competition resumes.

“It’s amazing to see all of these fans down here,” said Fanning. “I was actually quite emotional as I ran down the beach before paddling out hearing all of the cheers and seeing all the smiling faces. I’m really disappointed I didn’t put on more of a show though. It was always going to be such a tough task against Italo (Ferreira) and Morgan (Cibilic), they got first and third at the last event so are in epic form. I’m just hoping in my next heat I can get a bit more opportunity and put on more of a show.”

“I have great memories with Mick (Fanning) and it is always a pleasure to surf with him,” said Ferreira. “I was excited for that heat and to put everything on game. I hope I can keep going and pushing the limit. It is hard out there, the swell is the other direction so it makes the waves kind of close out, but sometimes it is good. My board is fast so I can make the closeouts. I am so excited for the next challenge.”

It was a tough morning for all three World Champions with Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Carissa Moore (HAW), and Tyler Wright (AUS) falling behind in their opening round heats. For seven-time Champion Gilmore and four-time Champion Moore, the two were able to avoid the dreaded Elimination Round with second-place placings.

Wright was not so fortunate, falling to 2019 World Runner-up Caroline Marks (USA) and CT sophomore Macy Callaghan (AUS). Wright will now face Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) and event wildcard Laura Enever (AUS) in the first heat of Elimination Round 2 when competition resumes.

Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) finally got her start on the Championship Tour with her career-first CT heat today. Tsuzuki received the call up to compete on the main stage only hours before her heat after Lakey Peterson (USA) withdrew due to a lower back injury. Today was not only the first CT heat of Tsuzuki’s career but also marked two decades since a Japanese woman has competed on the CT. Tsuzuki now advances to the Round of 16.

“I was excited to compete today but I was also very nervous and now that I have advanced it is a great relief,” said Tsuzuki. “I am really enjoying being in Australia and having the opportunity to compete against the world’s best is very special to me.”

Australians Keely Andrew, Sally Fitzgibbons, and Nikki Van Dijk showcased their strengths in the tricky conditions and topped their Round 1 heats this morning. With the momentum from her third-place finish at Newcastle, Andrew was able to get a win back from CT rookie Isabella Nichols (AUS), sending her into the Elimination Round.  After making it to the Finals in her career-best finish last week, Nichols will need to take down either Johanne Defay (FRA) or Brisa Hennessy (CRI) in Elimination Round 2, Heat 2.

“In the past, I’ve gone from the highest of highs down to the lowest of lows, so I think for me this year I just want to hit that consistency,” said Andrew. “I’m in a really good place at the moment and it feels nice to get some wins under my belt. In the heats, it can be difficult when you are fighting for small scores and keeping composure, but I’ve only recently worked that out where I’ve started getting into some mediation. I am probably the worst person to sit still so for me, it is a nice challenge to stay present and focus on the little tasks. I’ve found that has been helpful for this Australian leg and I’ll keep using it and hopefully, it keeps working.”