Australians Rule in Portugal

BUSY BACKHAND: Natasha van Greunen caught the most waves in her heat. Photo WSL / Poullenot

The iconic Ribeira d’Ilhas point break in Ericeira is one of the most rippable waves in Portugal, a walling righthander that reels off a sandy reef bar, and a crispy Portuguese dawn did not disapoint, with the men's event resuming at Heat 19 of the opening round, before moving into the women's action for the remainder of the day.

Sarah Baum (ZAF) was knocked out in Round 1, managing only three scoring rides to the six of the two surfers who took the heat to advance. She banked a solid 5.50, but could only find a 3.33 point backup. Eventual winner Yolanda Hopkins of Portugal's 5.57 was backed up with a solid 6.83, while Zoe McDougal of Hawai immediately managed to find a 7.23 to back up her fourth wave of 5.03.

Unfortunately for Natasha Van Greunen (ZAF), she was faced with one of the highest scoring heats of the contest so far, but will be taking valuable learnings from these experiences. She was the busiest surfer in her Round 1 heat, catching a total of five waves.

THE POINT: Jordy Maree was just 0.9pt from going through. Photo WSL / Poullenot

However, her highest score after three waves was a little shy at 4.10. Although she found a solid 6.00 on her last wave, it was not enough to compete with the 5.00 and 7.17 of the third placed surfer Tia Blanco of the USA, let alone the big scores of the two winners - recent finalist of the US Open Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Freya Prumm (AUS). Bryan got a huge first wave of 9.50 and backed that up with an excellent 7.67, while Prumm scored a 8.50 and a 5.83.

In the earlier rounds of the men's event, Lucca Mesinas (POR) had narrowly pushed Jordy Maree into 3rd in their Round 1 heat, which resulted in the South African's elimination from the event. Their two wave scores were 8.74 and 8.66. Jordy must have been bleak.

Once again, two South Africans were drawn in the same heat, but Matthew McGillivray and Slade Prestwich prevailed to go through. Shane Sykes dropped out of the event, taking a 4th in his Round 1 heat. Adin Masencamp also fell, narrowly losing to Josh Burke of Barbados 10.84 vs 10.43, to take 3rd and was eliminated. Beyrick De Vries, who now surfs under the flag of the Netherlands, took 3rd in Heat 19 yesterday and was eliminated.

SLADE RUNNER: Slade Prestwich went through with Matt McGillivray. Photo WSL / Poullenot

Like the SA rugby teams in the United Rugby Championship, its tough going surfing in a hotly contested tournament away from home, especially when many in the field have Championship Tour experience, and are hungry to get back in.

Keely Andrew (AUS) launched the show yesterday with a dominant effort in the first heat to bounce back from a disappointing early exit in California in the previous event. The World No. 11 found her form again as she posted an excellent 8 point ride and solidified her win with a good backup.

“I’ve done both tours for a while and it’s pretty exhausting,” Andrew said. “I think what’s happening is really good on the Challenger, there’s a lot of talent coming through and I think it’s going to progress the sport. It’s a big commitment to come from Australia and stay away for so long with the quarantine and all so I’m really looking to get some big results here.”

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE: There were good vibes up at the Rip Curl house. Photo WSL / Poullenot

Sophie McCulloch (AUS) continued with the trend in the following heat and Molly Picklum (AUS) picked up and ran with the ball in Heat 3. The young surfer from the Central Coast posted two solid 7+ waves to easily claim a spot into Round 2.

“A few of the boys and girls are all staying together at the Rip Curl house just up the road,” Picklum explained. “We’re all kind of vibing off each other and we’re stoked every time an Australian makes the heat. I did spend a bit of time here before the comp because it’s my first time and I love this place, it’s super pretty.”

Championship tour veteran and Olympian Silvana Lima (BRA) was one of the first few surfers capitalizing on the turn of the tide, with waves breaking more consistently and plenty of wall to work with. The explosive Brazilian seemed to surf on a different level right from the get-go with speed and flow as she racked up two big scores for a 16.40 total.

SILVANA SURFER: An epic off-the-top by a resurgent Silvana Lima. Photo WSL / Poullenot

Imaikalani Devault (HAW) posted the day’s highest total in the remaining men’s Round 1 heats with a brilliant display of rail-to-rail surfing and powerful exclamation marks on the closing section. The Hawaiian relished the chance to bank excellent conditions and made full use of the long walls on offer at Ribeira.

The event’s top seeds so far had seemed immune to early exits but things took a turn for the worse yesterday morning as Championship Tour surfer Alex Ribeiro (BRA) was eliminated in Heat 21 and local superstar World #10 Frederico Morais (PRT) suffered a similar fate in the final men’s heat of Round 1.

In the opening round of competition for the women, a lot of expectations were placed on young brazilian up-and-comer Sophia Medina (BRA). The sister of 3X world champ Gabriel Medina put on a great fight with Keely Andrew (AUS) and Leilani McGonagle (CRI) but unfortunately came up just short of advancing.

Long time Championship Tour surfer Coco Ho (HAW) and young up-and-comer Francisca Veselko (PRT) were eliminated in upsetting fashion, especially for Veselko, who had the heat’s best wave on her account, an excellent 8 point ride, but couldn’t back it up. The next call will be held at 7:35 a.m this morning to reassess conditions and potentially resume the women’s opening round.

Watch it LIVE today here, starting 8.35am ZA time.