Saffas Slip Up

JUST A KID: Teenage dynamo Caitlin Simmers stormed into the event. Photo WSL / Morris

Reigning US Open Pro Junior victor Caitlin Simmers (USA), at the tender age of 15, started off her Challenger Series campaign with a huge heat win in Round 1, which helped to eliminate 2019 World Title contender Lakey Peterson (USA).

For the South Africans, after a bright start in Round 1, Jordy Maree and Adin Masencamp were eliminated in Round 2. They join Dylan Lightfoot and Slade Prestwich, who departed the event in Round 1. Matthew McGillivray and Shane Sykes are still in with a chance, but face a gruelling passage of six heats ahead against some of the best surfers in the world. Of only two women out of 64 competing at Huntington, Natasha Van Greunen was elminiated in Round 1, which leaves Sarah Baum, who advanced to Round 2 after winning her Round 1 heat, which included the scalp of the accomplished Pauline Ado of France.

The windy, 2-3ft surf were testing, with many good surfers undone by the miserable surf. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) accounted for Conner Coffin (USA), Team USA Olympian Kolohe Andino (USA), and SA’s standout Masencamp. Lau is looking for his shot to rejoin the world’s best by any means necessary: “I want to qualify any-which-way I can and I’m looking to win the CS so that’s my plan here."

SCINTILLATING: Sarah Baum has made it through to Round 2 at Huntington. Photo WSL / Morris

A brilliant showing from 2020 Corona Open China winner Shun Murakami (JPN) pushed him into Round 3 - helping eliminate CT competitor Jack Robinson (AUS) and CT veteran Michel Bourez (FRA). The Yugawara, Japan, surfer was in the Top 10 of the QS before events paused but showed his forehand and backhand attack has lost none of their potency in the stacked bout with critical finishes to secure an impressive 7.67.

Also, continuing their surge in this event with heat victories, Tahiti’s Mihimana Braye put up another great showing in Round 2 Heat 2, Long Beach, California, QS warrior Nolan Rapoza remains on fire taking down three accomplished Brazilians, Lucca Mesinas (PER) continues his impeccable performances and Billy Stairmand (NZL) rose to the occasion in Round 2 Heat 8.

Simmers' phenomenal run looks unstoppable after a win at the Jack’s Surfboards Pro in August, a semifinal finish at the WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Pacifico and runner-up at the Super Girl Surf Pro

LAU BACK: Hawaiian Ezekiel Lau is on the world tour comeback trail. Photo WSL / Morris

The women started day two action and two-time US Open victor Courtney Conlogue (USA) made her long-awaited return to her home lineup arena in solid fashion despite tough, high tide conditions. Local knowledge paid dividends in the end with her debut win after coming back from an ankle injury sustained in Mexico proved a non-factor for the 29-year-old.

Fellow 15-year-old Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) also made her US Open debut well worth the wait and helped eliminate Australia’s QS threat Sophie McCullough with QS veteran Philippa Anderson (AUS) also advancing through. Also advancing into Round 2, India Robinson (AUS) and Alyssa Spencer (USA) shined in their debut heat victories today.

Global partners for the US Open of Surfing Huntington Beach pres. by Shiseido include Michelob Ultra, Jeep, Hydro Flask, Expedia, Red Bull, Oakley Sunglasses, and BFGoodrich join with event partners Frontier, Flying Ember, US Army, Apple Test, Fu Wax, Super73, Regional, DraftKings, and Waterloo along with local sponsor Visit Huntington Beach representing for Surf City USA.

Watch live on www.WorldSurfLeague.com and YouTube, as well as the free WSL app.

{gallery}SLIDESHOW/2021/september/US-Open-Day-2{/gallery}

Women's Round 1 (H11-16) Results
Heat 11: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 12.50 DEF. Sara Wakita (JPN) 9.40, Eveline Hooft (NLD) 6.40, Lakey Peterson (USA) 5.87
Heat 12: India Robinson (AUS) 11.40 DEF. Zoe McDougall (HAW) 8.77, Hinako Kurokawa (JPN) 5.13, Leticia Canales Bilbao (ESP) 4.97
Heat 13: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 7.13 DEF. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 6.63, Rachel Presti (DEU) 6.10, Brianna Cope (HAW) 2.24
Heat 14: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 8.80 DEF. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 8.03, Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 7.80, Summer Macedo (BRA) 5.27
Heat 15: Shino Matsuda (JPN) 12.93 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 8.60, Makena Burke (USA) 6.80, Freya Prumm (AUS) 5.84
Heat 16: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 9.17 DEF. Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 8.83, Molly Picklum (AUS) 6.97, Ella McCaffray (USA) 6.33

Men's Round 2 (H1-8) Results
Heat 1: Shun Murakami (JPN) 12.64 DEF. Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 11.63, Jack Robinson (AUS) 11.50, Michel Bourez (FRA) 8.54
Heat 2: Mihimana Braye (PYF) 12.66 DEF. Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 10.40, Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.07, Joshua Moniz (HAW) 9.97
Heat 3: Jake Marshall (USA) 14.50 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 12.77, Dylan Moffat (AUS) 11.66, Carlos Munoz (CRI) 8.67
Heat 4: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 12.77 DEF. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 11.50, Sheldon Simkus (AUS) 11.10, Jordy Maree (ZAF) 9.76
Heat 5: Nolan Rapoza (USA) 12.74 DEF. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 10.64, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.33, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 5.66
Heat 6: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 13.63 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.17, Adin Masencamp (ZAF) 10.07, Conner Coffin (USA) 9.30
Heat 7: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 13.26 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.70, Luke Gordon (USA) 11.14, Rio Waida (IDN) 10.90
Heat 8: Billy Stairmand (NZL) 12.40 DEF. Cam Richards (USA) 10.93, Ruben Vitoria (EUK) 9.43, Gaspard Larsonneur (FRA) 8.33