Tyler Wright (AUS) knocked out 6X World Champion and 5X event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) in the Quarterfinals of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast. Wright will battle reigning World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) in the Semifinals. Image: WSL / Cestari
Competition continued at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by BOQ with an action packed day at Snapper Rocks. Silky smooth 3 to 4 foot (1.5 meter) waves rolled into Rainbow Bay, providing the perfect canvas for the world’s best to battle for a chance to compete on finals day.
The first stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast bore witness to the world’s best surfing once again today as major results and huge upsets unfolded in front of thousands on the beach and millions watching around the world.
The opening Quarterfinal match-up saw a battle between Tyler Wright (AUS) and Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), six-time World Champion and five-time event winner. Gilmore and Wright fought hard for the lead after tying their first wave scores. Wright came out on top by earning a 6.50 point ride to eliminate Gilmore by 1.27 points.
“This year I feel different,” said Wright. “I’ve come into this year different with a coach, and I’m ready to take on Steph and Carissa and girls like that. I asked Micro [Glen Hall] to come on and help me. In the past I was definitely not open to a coach, and it took me a long time to realize that I could actually learn more. It has been an easy transition, because with Micro it is a balance between having fun and going out there and doing what you are best at.”
Above: Carissa Moore. Photo WSL / Cestari
Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL World Champion and last year’s event winner, defeat compatriot Malia Manuel (HAW) in the Heat 2 of the Quarterfinals. Moore came out with an early lead, creating a 2.93 gap that Manuel was unable to close.
“I was actually really nervous going into that heat because I knew the high tide was coming and I knew it was slowing down,” Moore said. “I feel comfortable when there are lots of waves and we just get to surf, but when it comes down to wave selection, I think that is my biggest weakness and Malia really thrives on that. I was just trying to be patient and wait for the good ones that had the wall, but also stay busy.”
Above: Courtney Conlogue. Photo WSL / Cestari
Courtney Conlogue (USA) went up against Sage Erickson (USA) in the Quarterfinal match-up, and with a semifinal spot on the line, both competitors gave their all to advance. Conlogue showcased her power game and took an early lead to hold off the fellow Californian with 15.17 points. Erickson put up a 10.00 two-wave combined score, but could not find the waves to defeat Conlogue.
“I just thinking ‘come on, you can get into the semis’ and I think it was just a matter of getting on the right waves and getting on the opportunities that allowed me to let loose,” Conlogue said after her heat. “These conditions are incredible with the low tide pushing out and it is so fun being out there. I am just trying to get through so I can surf more.”
Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 2015 WSL Rookie of the Year, took on Johanne Defay (FRA) in the last heat of the Quarterfinals. Defay pulled off a major technical maneuver in the heat to lock in a 7.17 point ride. Weston-Webb struggled to fight off Defay’s 12.50 two-wave combined score and close the 2.96 gap needed to advance to the next round.
“I am trying to go big with innovation and I just felt like I had nothing else to do on this wave, so I just tried and it went well,” said Defay. “I am very happy and there’s not a lot of times where I am innovating in the heat, so it was good timing.”
Above: Johanne Defay. Photo WSL / Cestari
Keely Andrew (AUS), 2016 WSL Rookie, and Bronte Macaulay (AUS), who gained entry into the competition as an injury replacement, were knocked out of the competition in Round 4 by Sage Erickson (USA) and Malia Manuel (HAW) respectively.
Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com.
For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 4 Results:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.43 def. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 15.24
Heat 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 18.03 def. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 16.66
Heat 3: Sage Erickson (USA) 12.90 def. Keely Andrew (AUS) 9.57
Heat 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 15.50 def. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 8.93
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.10 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 13.83
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.50 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 9.57
QF 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.17 def. Sage Erickson (USA) 10.00
QF 4: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.50 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 9.54
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Johanne Defay (FRA)
