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Excitement and upsets at WSL Margaret River Pro surfing event

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Italo Ferreira WSL Magaret River
MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 15: WSL champion Italo Ferreira of Brazil surfs in Heat 7 of the Opening Round at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro on April 15, 2024. (Photo: Aaron Hughes/World Surf League)

The Western Australia Margaret River Pro, the fifth stop of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), had a day filled with thrilling performances and unexpected challenges.

The waves at Main Break started off at three to four feet for the Men’s Opening Round, the Women’s Elimination Round, and the first heat of the Men’s Elimination Round.

However, deteriorating conditions later led to the competition being called off for the day.

Local fans witnessed a mix of emotions as wildcards Otis North and Bronte Macaulay exited early, while betting favourites like Jack Robinson and Jacob Willcox advanced to the Round of 32.

The mid-season cut scenarios added excitement to the event, with Sally Fitzgibbons and India Robinson from Australia securing wins in the Elimination Round to keep their chances alive.

Fitzgibbons impressed with a score of 8.17 for a single-manoeuvre layback snap, showing her determination to continue competing in the CT.

Sally Fitzgibbons Margaret River Pro
MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 15: Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia surfs in Heat 1 of the Elimination Round at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro on April 15, 2024. (Photo: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League)

Italo Ferreira showcased his skills by achieving a total score of 17.00 in the event, while Australia’s top surfer Ethan Ewing matched Ferreira’s score and secured the highest individual wave score of 9.50 so far.

“My last heat in Bells was so slow so I really wanted to get a quick start and try to build some kind of rhythm,” Ewing said.

“There’s no rhyme or reason at this place, it can just turn on or off for no real reason but we had a really good heat which was cool.

“Some of the waves are really good out there, probably the best I’ve seen since I got here so it was nice to get a few of them.”

Ethan Ewing WSL Margaret River
MARGARET RIVER, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 15: Ethan Ewing of Australia surfs in Heat 5 of the Opening Round at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro on April 15, 2024. (Photo: Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League)

Eleven-time champion Kelly Slater faces elimination against Bells Beach champion Cole Houshmand and no.16-ranked Yago Dora after losing in the Opening Round.

The competition is set to intensify as the remaining heats of the Men’s Elimination Round unfold, as the likes of Miguel Pupo, Slater, and Silva must perform well to avoid being cut from the CT circuit.

WSL Margaret River Pro Day 2 highlights

Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Opening Round results

  • HEAT 1: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 12.03, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 11.33
  • HEAT 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 15.00 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.66, Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.83
  • HEAT 3: Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 13.26 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 11.53, Kelly Slater (USA) 9.77
  • HEAT 4: George Pittar (AUS) 11.57 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 8.87, John John Florence (HAW) 6.83
  • HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 17.00 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 15.00, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 12.30
  • HEAT 6: Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.70 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.20, Otis North (AUS) 6.86
  • HEAT 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 17.00 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 15.07, Callum Robson (AUS) 14.57
  • HEAT 8: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 14.93 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 14.33, Cole Houshmand (USA) 12.73
  • HEAT 9: Frederico Morais (POR) 15.37 DEF. Crosby Colapinto (USA) 14.50, Yago Dora (BRA) 12.47
  • HEAT 10: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 16.17 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 15.23, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 15.10
  • HEAT 11: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.56 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 12.83, Rio Waida (INA) 12.56
  • HEAT 12: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.57 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 16.36, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.37

    • Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Elimination Round results (Heat 1)

  • HEAT 1: Callum Robson (AUS) 12.84 DEF. John John Florence (HAW) 11.37, Otis North (AUS) 10.73

    • Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Elimination Round Remaining Matchups (Heats 2 – 4)

  • HEAT 2: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Reef Heazlewood (AUS)
  • HEAT 3: Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Yago Dora (BRA) vs. Kelly Slater (USA)
  • HEAT 4: Rio Waida (INA) vs. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)

    • Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Elimination Round results

  • HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.27 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 13.73, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 6.33
    • HEAT 2: India Robinson (AUS) 13.67 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 13.27, Luana Silva (BRA) 11.83

    Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Round of 16 matchups

  • HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. India Robinson (AUS)
  • HEAT 2: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
  • HEAT 3: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA)
  • HEAT 4: Brisa Hennessy (CRC) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
  • HEAT 5: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Sophie McCulloch (AUS)
  • HEAT 6: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
  • HEAT 7: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
  • HEAT 8: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)

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    Topics: Featured, Margaret River Pro, Surfing, World Surf League, WSL

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