Super Sized Tubos
Saturday 5 March 2022 Rogue 10ft sets, torrent-like rips and scary closeouts made life hard at the MEO Pro Portugal presented by Rip Curl, the 3rd stop on the WSL tour, with Jordy through but Matt McGillivray out.
SECOND SAFFA: Matt McGillivray was relegated and then knocked out. Photo WSL / Poullenot
It was challenging for the world’s best surfers as rogue sets, torrent-like rips and frightening closeout suckmonsters made it important to make your waves count at the legendary beach break of Peniche. make the waves count. Jordy Smith is through to the Round of 32, and faces world #1 Barron Mamiya.
An early start completed two heats before the event went on hold through the lowest part of the tide before re-starting on the incoming tide. Conditions cleaned up and offered more makeable rides in the afternoon as the remaining men’s Opening Round and Elimination Round heats were completed.
Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) once again proved he’s one of the best barrel riders on the planet with an unmatched ocean knowledge as he found the deepest sections and made exiting them look easy while most surfers were on survival mode at Supertubos. The Hawaiian dropped late right under the lip of a right to lock into the tube and post the first excellent score of the day, a 9.07 (out of a possible 10). He backed it up with a backhand barrel in the last moments of the heat to advance in first with an incredible 17.57 heat total.
SURF FOR MOM: John John goes out with his mom's name on his back. Photo WSL / Diz
For International Women’s Day, the past event winner in Peniche decided to surf with his mother’s name, Alex Florence, on his jersey, paying respect to both the mom and surfer that brought him into the world and gave him opportunities to become who he is.
“I’m so happy that we waited, because even during our heat the waves were just getting better,” Florence said. “The wind is still super hard, it feels like you’re airdropping all the time, but it’s a lot of fun. It’s amazing to honor my mom and have her name on my back. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. She still inspires me and my brothers, she still surfs Pipe everyday, and I couldn’t be more thankful to her.”
11-time World Champion Kelly Slater, who claimed his 56th career-win at Pipeline to start the year, had a shocker at Sunset and today found himself in danger of another disappointment in the Elimination Round. But Kelly Slater (USA) found his magic in the shifting big barrels at Supertubos as he paddled into a great tube on his backhand in the opening minute of his heat. He later pulled into a shorter right to back up his main score and advance in first into the Round of 32.
STOKED GROM: The GOAT just keeps on keeping on ... especially when winning. Photo WSL / Diz
Slater took the opportunity to once again praise the four-time World Champion Lisa Andersen (USA) for her influence on his own career: “Lisa and I, we really went through our heyday together, the early days riding for Quiksilver, going to contests, on trips and winning world titles,” Slater said. “We just have a really parallel life so ‘Lisa, I still love you and I hope you enjoyed Courtney (Conlogue) and I wearing your name on our jerseys’.’”
The likes of Ethan Ewing (AUS), current World No. 1 Barron Mamiya (HAW), Joao Chianca (BRA), and Jack Robinson (AUS) threaded barrels both on the rights and lefts of Supertubos all afternoon, giving fans on the beach an exciting show as waves kept breaking closer and closer to the shore.
A rookie on tour, Chianca chose to honor his compatriot Silvana Lima (BRA) for International Women’s Day, who paved the way for a lot of Brazilian surfers currently on tour or coming up through the ranks.
THROATY BARREL: Callum Robson was charging a few froth monsters. Photo WSL / Poullenot
CT veteran Kolohe Andino (USA) didn’t find his mark right away and was sent to the Elimination Round, but he turned the tide with a masterful performance late this afternoon. The Californian found deep barrels to advance in first and keep his Portugal campaign going. Another surfer to pick his inspiration close to home, Andino opted to honor five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) for International Women’s Day.
Event wildcards Afonso Antunes (PRT) and Vasco Ribeiro (PRT), along with Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) and Deivid Silva (BRA) couldn’t find some of the best scoring opportunities other surfers were on and bowed out in the Elimination Round, placing equal 33rd.
With the wind easing and similar swell size expected tomorrow, event officials called the event back on this morning. Watch here.
KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN: Ciao Ibelli looked a bit like Florence Nightingale. Photo WSL / Diz
Remaining Opening Round Results
HEAT 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 8.20 DEF. Justin Becret (FRA) 6.23, Connor O'Leary (AUS) 5.93
HEAT 6: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 9.33 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 8.84, Afonso Antunes (PRT)
HEAT 7: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 8.20 DEF. Frederico Morais (PRT) 7.73, Conner Coffin (USA) 7.67
HEAT 8: John John Florence (HAW) 17.57 DEF. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 13.50, Matt McGillivray (ZAF) 6.14
HEAT 9: Ethan Ewing (AUS) 12.27 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 12.17, Deivid Silva (BRA) 0.67
HEAT 10: Joao Chianca (BRA) 14.17 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 11.60, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.06
HEAT 11: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 7.67 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 7.17, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 5.40
HEAT 12: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 11.67 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 11.20, Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.67
Men’s Elimination Round Results
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 13.10 DEF. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 9.17, Afonso Antunes (PRT) 2.00
HEAT 2: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 6.77 DEF. Conner Coffin (USA) 6.70, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 4.20
HEAT 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.60 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 7.57, Matt McGillivray (ZAF) 5.90
HEAT 4: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 12.87 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 12.73, Deivid Silva (BRA) 7.43
Upcoming Men’s Round of 32 Matchups
HEAT 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 4: Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS)
HEAT 5: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
HEAT 6: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 7: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 8: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)
HEAT 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Justin Becret (FRA)
HEAT 10: Ezekiel Lau (HAW) vs. Frederico Morais (PRT)
HEAT 11: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Nat Young (USA)
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
HEAT 13: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)
HEAT 14: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 15: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA)
HEAT 16: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Upcoming Women’s Round of 16 Matchups
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)
Heat 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
Heat 3: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) vs. Courtney Conlogue (USA)
Heat 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 6: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
Heat 7: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Luana Silva (HAW)
Heat 8: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. India Robinson (AUS)