Jordy back in Top 5

SPRAY DAY: Matt McGillivray made the semi, where he was defeated by Toledo. Photo WSL / Dunbar

At the end of the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro presented by Corona, which was held in clean 4-6ft surf, two new faces held the winner’s trophies aloft on the 4th stop of the WSL Championship Tour. Both South Africans made the semi-finals, with Smith advancing by 0.10 points after outscoring Ryan Callinan (AUS) 11 to 10.90 for another tight margin. McGillivray's victory over Seth Moniz (HAW) was more emphatic, with a solid 15.43 against 9.73. However, the rookie came unstuck against an on-fire Toledo in the semis but can be proud of his 13.74 heat total against Toledo's 15.16.

In his semi against Griffin Colapinto (USA) Smith showed that he had a solid chance at taking victory at Main Break, a wave that has always suited his style of surfing. His 15.33 heat score edged Colapinto's 15.16. In the final, Smith was unable to answer Toledo's big scores but was stoked to be back in the mix on Finals Day for the first time on the 2021 Australian leg.

“What a week,” Smith said. “I always enjoy coming to West Aus and it’s because it offers up waves like we’ve had here for this entire contest. I had a good time today and was stoked to make it into a Final for the first time in who knows how long. Next, I just need to win one of these things. I’m just excited to try and keep some momentum and head over to Rottnest Island and hopefully go one better over there.”

ONE TWO: Toledo was in searing form throughout the day at Main Break. Photo WSL / Miers

Toledo was in searing form through the day, building momentum and saving his best performance for last, posting a two-wave combination of 17.33. His trademark frontside power-hacks seemed to match the Main Break grunt pound-for-pound as the exciting natural-footer gouged and sliced his way to victory with the equal second-highest total of the event. This result sees Toledo rocket from 8th to 3rd on the rankings as he eyes a spot at the WSL Rip Curl Finals later this year.

“This has been a really fun week,” Toledo said. “There have been such amazing waves and amazing surfing from everybody so to come out on top feels so good. This one is for my son Koa, it’s his Weston-Webb earned the second CT event win of her career after besting seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmorebirthday today and he asked me to win the trophy. I promised him I would and I could not break the promise, so this one's for you son, I love you. This win will be a huge jump on the rankings for me which I needed. This Tour is all about consistency and if you’re not showing up in the finals often, you won’t make that Final 5, and that’s my biggest goal for the year, to give myself that chance.”

Weston-Webb earned the second CT event win of her career after besting seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS). The 25-year old posted an excellent 16.23 to Gilmore’s 15.00: “I can’t explain how incredible this feels. Steph is one of the best surfers of all time and was always someone I looked up to so much, so it was incredible to come up against her in a Final. You don’t often get to surf against a seven-time WSL Champion so this feels amazing. I’m just thankful I took a win after a second-place finish at the last event.”

YOUNG AND OLDER: Weston-Webb ousted one of her heroes in the final. Photo WSL / Miers

En route to her Final victory, Weston-Webb eliminated local hero Bronte Macaulay (AUS) in the Semifinals. Macaulay's brother passed away over the weekend, and it was unclear whether she would be able to suit up. However, she showed commitment and courage, and posted the highest single wave of the matchup but was unable to find a backup. Weston-Webb won and progressed to the final, while Macaulay took her best result at Margaret River and the equal-best result of her career along with huge admiration from her fellow competitors and surf fans around the world.

“I want to say that this win is for the Macaulay family,” continued Weston-Webb. “I came up against Bronte earlier today and seeing her show up for her heat was so brave. I can’t imagine what she has been going through. They are an amazing family with so much love and are such a big part of surfing here in the West and my condolences are with them.”

Weston-Webb has secured the best start to a CT season and jumps to #2 on the leaderboard. With the new Rip Curl WSL Finals format, Weston-Webb has put herself in a strong position to lock into the Final 5 and a chance to win the 2021 World Title.

GRIEVING: Bronte Macaulay showed amazing courage after her brother's death. Photo WSL / Miers

Seven-time WSL Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) earned her best result of the season and her highest placing in Margaret River with a runner-up finish today. In her 47th final appearance, Gilmore was looking to clinch her 32nd CT victory, but it wasn’t to be as Weston-Webb pulled out one of her bigger performances to overcome Gilmore. Gilmore will now head to the Rip Curl Rottnest Search sitting in third place on the world rankings as she looks for her first victory since 2019.

Carissa Moore (HAW), who led the rankings heading into this event, looked certain to progress into her third Final of the season as she tore through the field posting massive heat totals in every round but the semifinals where she was pipped at the post by eventual runner-up Gilmore.

Competitors will now shift their focus to the fifth event of the Championship Tour, the Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona, with the event window opening on May 16 and running through May 26. The event will be broadcast LIVE on www.WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.

BEACH BURN: Jordy reclaims his penchant for obliterating beachbreaks. Photo WSL / Dunbar

Final
1 - Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 16.23
2 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.00

Final
1 - Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.40
2 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.23

Semifinal
HEAT 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 12.27 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 9.00
HEAT 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 12.24 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.00

Semifinal
HEAT 1: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 15.33 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 15.16
HEAT 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.16 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 13.74

Quarterfinal
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) DEF. John John Florence (HAW) INJ
HEAT 2: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.00 DEF. Ryan Callinan (AUS) 10.90
HEAT 3: Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 15.43 DEF. Seth Moniz (HAW) 9.73
HEAT 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.90 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.73

WSL Women’s Championship Tour Leaderboard Final 5
1 - Carissa Moore (HAW) 29,970 pts
2 - Tatiana Weston Webb (BRA) 26,495 pts
3 - Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 22,035 pts
4 - Caroline Marks (USA) 21,305 pts
5 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 19,965 pts

WSL Men’s Championship Tour Leaderboard Final 5
1 - Gabriel Medina (BRA) 28,920 pts
2 - Italo Ferreira (BRA) 24,150 pts
3 - Filipe Toledo (BRA) 20,735 pts
4 - John John Florence (HAW) 19,395 pts
5 - Jordy Smith (ZAF) 19,185 pts