Sykes and Baum Bow Out

MARKS WOMAN: Caroline Marks cruises her way through Round 3. Photo WSL / Morris

The opening stop on the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS) fired into Round 3 action for both men and women along with a new 3-4ft swell. The women’s one-on-one bouts unfolded to determine the Quarterfinalists while the men’s three-man heats cut their field to just 16 competitors.

Coco Ho (HAW) finessed her way to a clutch Round 3 win over darkhorse threat Baum, while Sykes fell in his heat against Kade Madson (USA) and Lucas Silveira (BRA).

A 15 and 16-year-old have been lighting up the US Open: Hawaiian competitor Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Caitlin Simmers, who is from Oceanside, California. Sakura Johnson elevated the level of competition to finish off Round 3 with a blinding performance over Challenger Series threat Alyssa Spencer (USA). The 16-year-old blitzed her way to a 14.50 heat total and made her statement as an event threat heading into the quarters.

RACING ANDINO: Team USA Olympian Kolohe Andino wows the crowds. Photo WSL / Morris

Simmers, 15, beat Portugal’s Yoland Hopkins (PRT) to secure her spot in the quarters. Simmers would become one of the youngest, next to Malia Manuel’s (HAW) win at age 14, competitors to win this event and add yet another massive win to her already impressive resume - and a shot at qualifying for the CT.

Team USA Olympian Kolohe Andino (USA) thrilled the crowds with his aerial display along with his ferocious backhand attack to garner a 14.50 heat total in a stacked heat to help eliminate former CT competitor Patrick Gudauskas (USA). Heat runner-up and event standout Nolan Rapoza (USA) continues a Cinderella run through the US Open.

In dramatic fashion, 2018 US Open runner-up Griffin Colapinto (USA) found his way into the 16-man Round 4 with an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) in the dying seconds to go from third-place to first in his Round 3 battle with Australia’s Liam O’Brien, also advancing, while New Zealand’s Billy Stairmand drops out.

HO HO HO: Coco Ho finishes her Round 3 win over darkhorse threat Baum Photo WSL / Morris

Former CT competitor Alex Ribeiro (BRA) wasn’t able to secure his spot amongst the world’s best on the Championship Tour, and now looks to the Challenger Series for a chance to requalify. He returns to Round 4 of the US Open, with a brilliant showing in Round 3.

Also making their way into the elusive Round 4 draw with big wins, Shun Murakami (JPN), Tahitian Mihimana Braye, Peru’s Alonso Correa - eliminating fellow countryman Lucca Mesinas, and San Clemente’s duo of Cole Houshmand and Kade Matson are all set for man-on-man duels.

In the women's event, Team USA Olympian, and CT World #6, Caroline Marks earned her spot in the quarters after taking down former CT competitor Dimity Stoyle (AUS) in the first heat of the day. Two-time US Open winner Courtney Conlogue (USA) lit up the arriving swell in defining fashion and will join Marks in the Quarterfinals.

Fellow Californian Sawyer Lindblad kept her dream run alive after taking out former CT competitor Macy Callaghan (AUS) beautifully after showing veteran patience to get her heat started. A big push from competitors Sara Wakita (JPN) and Gabriela Bryan (HAW) also earned them a spot into the Quarterfinals for their opportunity toward 10,000 crucial points.

A 7:30am PDT (5.30pm ZA time) call will determine a likely 8:05am PDT start for the women’s Quarterfinals with men's Round 4 on standby.

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

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Women's Round 3 (H1-8) Results
Heat 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 13.60 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 7.26, Dominic Barona (ECU) 4.24, Kobie Enright (AUS) 2.00
Heat 2: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 12.23 DEF. Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 10.93, Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 6.80, Daniella Rosas (PER) 6.17
Heat 3: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) 10.17 DEF. Sarah Baum (ZAF) 8.30, Keely Andrew (AUS) 8.00, Teresa Bonvalot (PRT) 7.86
Heat 4: Coco Ho (HAW) 14.53 DEF. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 11.23, Leilani McGonagle (CRI) 9.97, Pauline Ado (FRA) 7.67
Heat 5: Sara Wakita (JPN) 14.03 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (PRT) 12.50, Zoe McDougall (HAW) 10.06, Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) 8.80
Heat 6: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.07 DEF. Ariane Ochoa (EUK) 8.37, Garazi Sanchez-Ortun (EUK) 7.40, India Robinson (AUS) 5.17
Heat 7: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.84 DEF. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 12.97, Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 8.60, Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 6.43
Heat 8: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 14.84 DEF. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 5.66, Shino Matsuda (JPN) 5.47, Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 3.00

Men's Round 3 (H1-8) Results
Heat 9: Liam O'Brien (AUS) 12.46 DEF. Alonso Correa (PER) 11.33, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.33, Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 10.73
Heat 10: Cole Houshmand (USA) 13.16 DEF. Lucas Silveira (BRA) 10.27, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 8.10, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 6.30
Heat 11: Edgard Groggia (BRA) 12.80 DEF. Shane Sykes (ZAF) 12.40, Joao Chianca (BRA) 11.23, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 10.66
Heat 12: Kade Matson (USA) 13.33 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 12.63, Evan Geiselman (USA) 11.66, Reef Heazlewood (AUS) 11.14