Above: Bianca Buitendag placed first in her round 2 heat and advanced into the next round.
Round 2 of the Swatch Women’s Pro opened with South African standout Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) battling international icon and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton (HAW). This event marks Hamilton’s first appearance in competition since giving birth to son Tobias Dirks in June of this year. Buitendag got to work quickly and posted an excellent 8.50 on her opening wave. The goofyfooter backed it up with a 7.60 to seal her victory over Hamilton who, despite a 7.53, was eliminated from the event in equal 13th place.
“I met Bethany for the first time when I was 14,” said Buitendag. “Her determination and mental toughness are inspirational — I definitely look up to her.”
“This morning was awesome,” said Hamilton. “I was so stoked to compete against Bianca, surf perfect Lowers and just do my thing. It was a great heat and event and big thanks to the WSL for giving me the wildcard. I started training for this event shortly after giving birth and it feels good to have performed well.”
Above: Tyler Wright of Lennox Head, NSW, Australia at the Swatch Womens Pro at Trestles in San Clemente, California.
Caroline Marks (USA), the 13-year-old injury wildcard faced 2014 world title runner-up Tyler Wright (AUS) in elimination Round 2. Wright holds the record for being the youngest surfer, male or female, to win a CT event at just 14 years old. Now 21, Wright carried the day by defeating Marks 12.67 points to 7.57. Wright moves through to Round 3 while Marks leaves her first CT competition in equal 13th place.
“I remember when I was Caroline’s age and what it felt like to go head-to-head against competitors you looked up to,” said Wright. “I’m stoked for her and she’s got a lot to be proud of.”
“This was an incredible opportunity,” Marks said. “I got the call that I was the wildcard the day before the event kicked off. It felt awesome to get some great waves at Lowers and surf with the best in the world. My dream is to make the Tour so hopefully I’m on my way.”
Sage Erickson of the USA winning her Round 2 heat at the Swatch Womens Pro at Trestles in San Clemente on Thursday September 10, 2015.
Sage Erickson (USA) posted the highest heat total of the Swatch Women’s Pro today — 17.36 out of a possible 20 — to dispatch Malia Manuel (HAW) and earn her first heat win of the season. Erickson is currently in equal first place on the Qualifying Series (QS) rankings, solidifying her place amongst the Top 17 for the 2016 season.
“Confidence is such an important part of this sport and it’s been a tough year for me,” Erickson said. “Being in first place on the Qualifying Series really helps and performing in front of my home crowd with my family just made it extra special. I’m really excited about making it to the next round.”
The Hurley Pro and Swatch Women’s Pro Trestles event started on September 9 and could run through September 20, 2015. Fans can follow all the action LIVE via webcast on WorldSurfLeague.com and on the WSL mobile app.
Above: Alessa Quizon placed first in her round 2 heat.
Fans around the world can also follow the broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports in Australia, MCS Extreme in France, EDGE Sports in China, South Korea, Malaysia and other territories and on Globo TV in Brazil.
Swatch Women’s Pro Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 17.20, Malia Manuel (HAW) 16.83, Alessa Quizon (HAW) 15.33
Heat 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 15.00, Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 13.90, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 13.60
Heat 3: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 17.34, Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 11.67, Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 7.17
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.36, Silvana Lima (BRA) 12.96, Caroline Marks (USA) 11.77
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 14.67, Coco Ho (HAW) 14.60, Sage Erickson (USA) 14.36
Heat 6: Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.34, Tyler Wright (AUS) 13.67, Laura Enever (AUS) 11.50
Swatch Women’s Pro Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Alessa Quizon (HAW) 14.73 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 13.87
Heat 2: Dimity Stoyle (AUS) 16.10 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 15.34
Heat 3: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 16.10 def. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 13.13
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.67 def. Caroline Marks (USA) 7.57
Heat 5: Sage Erickson (USA) 17.36 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 15.10
Heat 6: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 16.16 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 6.93
Swatch Women’s Pro Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Lakey Peterson (USA), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Tyler Wright (AUS), Alessa Quizon (HAW)
Heat 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA), Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
