Presented by Corona 

• Silvana Lima and Stephanie Gilmore Face Early Elimination
• John John Florence, Yago Dora, and Italo Ferreira Wow Crowd With Aerial Antics
• Filipe Toledo Remains the One To Beat in Brazil
• Tyler Wright and Caroline Marks Maintain Top 5 Positions

PRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Friday, June 23, 2023) – Opening day provided great conditions for competition to commence today at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona, Stop No. 8 on the 2023 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). A passionate crowd of fans cheered on the world’s best surfers as they competed in clean, three-to-five-foot surf at Praia de Itauna. The full day of competition saw big risks taken from two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW), Yago Dora (BRA), and Italo Ferreira (BRA). As the day came to a close, the first women were eliminated from competition, including event wildcard Silvana Lima (BRA) and eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS).

John John Florence, Yago Dora, and Italo Ferreira Wow Crowd with Aerial Antics  

Two-time World Champion John John Florence (HAW) earned the highest single-wave score of the event so far, a near-perfect 9.00 (out of possible 10). In need of something big to overtake the heat, Florence boosted a frontside full-rotation air and landed right in the hollow section of the wave. Florence has found success in Brazil in the past and needs to do so again to get himself back in World Title contention.

“I was looking for lefts, but when I just started surfing and catching waves, that’s when I was able to turn the heat around,” said Florence. “I found the two good air sections on the rights, and I was stoked to make those. To feel the energy of the crowd and land that air feels really good. I’ve been kind of struggling mentally the last couple of events, so it feels good to put it together and get the ball rolling again.”

Yago Dora (BRA) gave the crowd something to cheer about today, posting an excellent 8.83 for a huge backside air during his Opening Round heat. The risky maneuver earned him the heat win over three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA). World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) also went to the air, earning an excellent 8.00. Dora and Ferreira currently sit at No. 12 and No. 8 on the rankings, respectively. They are both hoping for a win at this event to improve their positions.

“It’s the greatest feeling turning the heat in five minutes,” said Dora. “That was a really good heat. It was going off, and Gabriel (Medina) was ripping. He’s a master of the game, and he was surfing incredibly. I was lucky to find the last wave that saved me. I just tried to stay busy, and at the end I had the opportunity, and I’m glad I landed that air.”

Filipe Toledo Remains the One to Beat in Brazil 

Reigning World Champion and defending event winner, Filipe Toledo (BRA), remains the one to beat here at the Vivo Rio Pro, after winning his Opening Round matchup. Event wildcard Samuel Pupo (BRA) gave Toledo a run for his money, posting the first excellent score of the event, an 8.00. But, Toledo was not to be outdone and fought back with a 6.90 and 7.63 that moved him into first place. Toledo continues to maintain the claim that he has not lost a heat at the Vivo Rio Pro in the last three years.

“That was a close one,” said Toledo. “There’s a lot going on here at this event, and it’s hard to manage where I put my energy. Thanks to my team, I’ve been able to put a lot of energy into the event, and that’s what brings me a lot of success. It took me a while to figure out what was going on in that heat. When I got the 6.90, I knew I was back in the heat and had to keep it going. Samuel (Pupo) was ripping. He came out of the gates swinging, and so did Callum (Robson). It was an air show out there.”

Joao Chianca Thrives with Support of Local Crowd 

Local Saquarema surfer Joao Chianca (BRA) felt the support from his home crowd today, posting a solid heat total of 14.83 (out of a possible 20) to win his Opening Round heat. Chianca entered this event as a wildcard last year after falling off Tour. Now a sophomore on the CT, Chianca is having a standout year and is sitting at third on the rankings.

Also earning important Opening Round heat wins were Australians Ethan Ewing, Liam O’Brien, and Ryan Callinan. O’Brien’s win over current World No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (AUS) means the Californian will now have to survive the dreaded Elimination Round in order to continue in the competition.

Lower Seeds Bryan and Peterson Overcome World Champions Gilmore and Moore

Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Lakey Peterson (USA) got their campaigns off to a great start this morning, winning their Opening Round matchups and moving straight to the Quarterfinals. Bryan had to overcome eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), and Peterson earned the win over five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW). Bryan and Peterson are currently tied for No. 8 on the rankings and need a big result here in order to move into the Top 5.

“The whole heat my surfing felt good, I just didn’t get good waves,” said Bryan. “When I was waiting with priority I knew I just needed to do the surfing I was doing. I was really happy that last wave came through and I got the score. It’s so awesome to compete here, it’s one of my favorite stops on Tour. The crowd is so passionate, it’s such amazing energy, and the waves are fun too.”

Current World No. 2 Tyler Wright (AUS) earned the highest single-wave score of the women’s Opening Round, a 7.17 (out of a possible 10). The two-time World Champion hammered several critical turns on her backhand, showing power and control. Wright won this event in 2017 and hopes to do so again to maintain her spot in the Top 5 on the rankings.

California’s current No. 3 Caroline Marks (USA) played spoiler to Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb in Heat 4 of the women’s Opening Round. Weston-Webb was in the lead, but with less than five minutes to go, Marks flipped the heat by stringing together a series of frontside maneuvers and posting a solid 7.00.

“I love surfing on my forehand,” said Marks. “I’m stoked to go left. It feels good to twist your body in a different direction. I’m not letting my guard down. Everyone is so good, and making the Final 5 is everyone’s goal. I’m trying to be in the moment as much as possible and enjoy myself. The last few events I’ve been doing that, so I’m going to keep it rolling.”

Silvana Lima and Stephanie Gilmore Face Early Elimination 

Event wildcard Silvana Lima (BRA) faced an early exit today after falling to current World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW). Lima put up a valiant effort and nearly eliminated the five-time World Champion, finishing the heat just short of the requirement.

In an exciting end to the day, rising star Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) overcame eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). Gilmore earned the highest score of the heat, a 6.50, but was unable to find a backup score of significance. Sakura Johnson was able to take the big win and move on to the Quarterfinals with a pair of 5.77s.

The Tours and Competition team called the event OFF following the women’s Elimination Round, Heat 2. The next call will be tomorrow, Saturday, June 24, at 7:15 a.m. GMT -3 for a possible 7:35 a.m. GMT -3 start.

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.13 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 11.94, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.06
HEAT 2: Lakey Peterson (USA) 9.00 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 8.14, Silvana Lima (BRA) 7.43
HEAT 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.17 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.26, Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.07
HEAT 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.50 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 10.90, Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 10.27

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Elimination Round Results (Heats 1 – 2):
HEAT 1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 10.50 DEF. Silvana Lima (BRA) 10.00
HEAT 2: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 11.54 DEF. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.17

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Women’s Elimination Round Matchups (Heats 3 – 4):
HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
HEAT 4: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Caitlin Simmers (USA)

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Opening Round Results:
HEAT 1: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 14.20 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 14.13, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.47
HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) 14.83 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 10.20, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 8.96
HEAT 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.53 DEF. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.50, Callum Robson (AUS) 13.83
HEAT 4: Liam O’Brien (AUS) 10.33 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 8.24, Griffin Colapinto (USA) 6.73
HEAT 5: Yago Dora (BRA) 15.53 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.17, Ian Gentil (HAW) 8.40
HEAT 6: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 13.44 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.20, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 6.26
HEAT 7: John John Florence (HAW) 15.67 DEF. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.83, Jordy Smith (RSA) 9.63
HEAT 8: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.00 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.40, Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 9.13

VIVO Rio Pro Presented by Corona Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
HEAT 2: Connor O’Leary (AUS) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW)
HEAT 3: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 6: Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Jordy Smith (RSA)
HEAT 7: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Rio Waida (INA)
HEAT 8: Callum Robson (AUS) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.