Simmers, Ferreira shine on WSL Portugal Pro Opening Day

Former Event Winners Dominate Opening Day

Caity Simmers (USA), now back in the Yellow Jersey, asserted her authority with a solid Opening Round win over defending event champion Johanne Defay (FRA) and wildcard Yolanda Hopkins (POR).

“I somehow got a bunch of waves where I could do three turns and I was like, what the heck is going on?” Simmers reacted. “I was searching for one good section, but I never got that big opportunity.”

Defay managed to secure second place in the dying minutes, advancing to the Round of 16.

On the men’s side, Griffin Colapinto (USA) once again showcased his Supertubos expertise, dropping an excellent 8.00 after a perfectly executed barrel-to-turn combination.

“It’s amazing to be back in Portugal,” Colapinto said. “This place holds some of my fondest memories.”

Meanwhile, Italo Ferreira (BRA) thrived under the pressure of the Yellow Jersey, posting the highest heat total of the day with a 16.43. His 8.83 for a massive backside rotation set the standard for performance at Supertubos.

“I saw Jackson [Bunch] get a 7 for his air, and I knew how to play this game,” Ferreira said. “It feels good to be in the Yellow Jersey.”

Rookies Make Their Mark in Portugal

The rookie class delivered standout performances, led by Alan Cleland (MEX), Erin Brooks (CAN), and Vahine Fierro (FRA), who all claimed Opening Round heat wins.

Jackson Bunch (HAW) and Joel Vaughan (AUS) also advanced with second-place finishes, while Marco Mignot (FRA), George Pittar (AUS), Edgard Groggia (BRA), and Bella Kenworthy (USA) will have another shot in the Elimination Round.

“I knew I had an advantage living near similar waves,” Cleland said. “It got really grindy, but I had to manufacture some scores and hold my own against some big names.”

Fierro earned her first Opening Round heat win of the season, using her strong backhand to outmaneuver Brisa Hennessy (CRC) and Isabella Nichols (AUS).

“It wasn’t the best scores, but I felt really comfortable,” Fierro said. “It’s great to skip straight to the third round.”

WSL Portugal Pro Day 1 Highlights

Fitzgibbons, Bryan, and Colapinto Make Strong Starts

Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) delivered a confidence-boosting win, holding off former event winner Caroline Marks (USA) and two-time runner-up Lakey Peterson (USA).

“I love everything that goes into getting here on the start line,” Fitzgibbons said. “I don’t want to get booted off Tour, I love surfing too much.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) dominated the women’s Opening Round, posting the highest heat total (12.33) to defeat two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS).

“It’s way harder out there than it looks,” Bryan said. “Abu Dhabi was a huge confidence boost for me. I was reminded that my power surfing is one of the best.”

Crosby Colapinto (USA) made a successful return from injury, securing a heat win over Rio Waida (INA) and Marco Mignot (FRA).

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Opening Round Results

• HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 10.73 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 8.04, Lakey Peterson (USA) 7.90
• HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 10.17 DEF. Molly Picklum (AUS) 8.33, Luana Silva (BRA) 6.94
• HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 10.24 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 7.97, Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 7.64
• HEAT 4: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 9.67 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 9.50, Brisa Hennessy (CRC) 8.33
• HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 12.33 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 8.80, Bella Kenworthy (USA) 7.83
• HEAT 6: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 7.50 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 5.27, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 4.30

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Opening Round Results

• HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 14.50 DEF. Cole Houshmand (USA) 7.57, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 6.47
• HEAT 2: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 10.53 DEF. Rio Waida (INA) 8.60, Marco Mignot (FRA) 6.70
• HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 14.00 DEF. Ian Gentil (HAW) 11.40, George Pittar (AUS) 9.27
• HEAT 4: Jack Robinson (AUS) 10.83 DEF. Gatien Delahaye (FRA) 8.64, Liam O’Brien (AUS) 8.33
• HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.83 DEF. Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 7.74, Seth Moniz (HAW) 4.23
• HEAT 6: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 16.43 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 11.30, Frederico Morais (POR) 8.94
• HEAT 7: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.50 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 9.90, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 7.57
• HEAT 8: Alan Cleland (MEX) 8.40 DEF. Jordy Smith (RSA) 7.37, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 4.30
• HEAT 9: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 10.00 DEF. Connor O’Leary (JPN) 7.87, Jake Marshall (USA) 7.63
• HEAT 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 9.10 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 7.87, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 6.44
• HEAT 11: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 13.34 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (RSA) 10.20, Joao Chianca (BRA) 8.34
• HEAT 12: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.17 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.60, Deivid Silva (BRA) 1.17

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women’s Elimination Round Matchups & Odds

MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men’s Elimination Round Matchups & Odds