McGillivray Makes World Tour

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Matt McGillivray cannot be bumped out of the Top 10. Photo WSL / Heff

After advancing through round three of the Vans World Cup 10,000 Qualifying Series (QS) event at Sunset Beach yesterday, McGillivray is now a cert for the world tour next year, and he won the four-man heat with a solid display of power surfing.

Rip Curl surfer McGillivray was placed 6th on the international QS ratings prior to this contest, and his berth in Round 4 will see him replace one of his lowest counting results (top five results on the QS count for a total that decides your position on the QS rankings). He now cannot be bumped out of the top ten, and qualifies for the premier CT for next year.

The CT comprises 22 surfers from the current tour, as well as 10 surfers from the QS, combined with wild cards and injury replacements, to make 36 surfers. In order to qualify from the QS you need to be within the top ten at year-end.

TO THE TOP: McGillivray won his Round 3 heat, the clincher for a 2020 berth. Photo WSL / Heff

Jordy Maree and Mikey February both fell in Round 3, but Beyrick de Vries recorded a solid win in Round 3, pushing the in-form Jack Freestone, and Leonardo Fioravanti, into elimination, with Hawaiian Ian Gentil moving through to Round 4 with him.

McGillivray will join fellow South African Jordy Smith on tour next year. The CT commences with the Corona Open Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks in Australia on 26 March 2020.

“I just want to say thank you so much to everyone back home for the support,” said McGillivray from Hawaii. “I got so many messages I still have to reply to, I didn't realize how many people followed what was going on, and it has been amazing to experience the support.”

McGillivray will come up against Nolan Rapoza (USA), Morgan Ciblic (AUS) and Jesse Mendes (BRA) in the second heat of round four when surfing commences again in Hawaii.

The event can be viewed live here and should go live between 7 and 8 PM tonight South African time.