Carissa Moore.

The Roxy Pro France resumed today and completed the Quarterfinals in excellent, six foot plus waves on the outside peak of La Nord to decide the last four surfers in contention for the prestigious French event title.

The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France, stop No. 8 and 9 on the women and men’s 2019 World Surf League (WSL) CT respectively, have been graced with excellent conditions since the first day of the event waiting period, showing everything France has to offer with playful peaks on the first day at Culs Nus, heavy barrels at La Graviere and long open walls today at La Nord. Lakey Peterson (USA) and Malia Manuel (HAW) took it to the lineup in the opening Quarterfinal of the Roxy Pro France, and rode the long rights on their forehand. They both attacked the sections in a similar fashion but the difference was made by wave choice as Manuel’s were slightly softer and mostly allowed cutback maneuvers. On the other hand, current No. 2 on the Jeep Leaderboard Peterson connected with the lip a few times on her way to a solid 12.60 total for her spot into Semifinal 1.

“I rode that same board at Bells, it’s a little bit similar out there,” said Peterson. “There’s more water than you think, the wave face may not be that big but there’s a lot of water moving so it felt nice to be on a bigger board and do bigger turns. I was really nervous this whole heat, Malia only ever needed a 6 and she’s very capable in those waves. I’m really stoked to be in the semis and to get Carissa it should be fun!”

In the second Quarter, World No. 1 Carissa Moore (HAW) came firing out of the gates with a three-turn combination and a clinic of surfing on the rail to open her account with an excellent 8.67. The Hawaiian completed her scoring board with a powerful display on a single closeout turn and never really gave opponent Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) any room, eliminating her in 5th place.

“I guess it does have a little bit of a Sunset air cause you’re pretty far out there,” said Moore. “But nothing really compares, this is a beach break and the lineup is constantly moving, it’s so unique and special. It’s rare to see the number 1 and 2 match up before the Final and it should be fun. Lakey’s been surfing so well and I’m excited to have a match up with her.”

Joanne Defay

After posting a 9.00 point ride for a deep barrel yesterday at La Graviere, Johanne Defay (FRA) confirmed her repertoire includes every move in the book as she dismantled a big righthander of La Nord with two massive turns for a near-perfect 9.40. The Reunion Island surfer attacked the almost double-overhead set just like it was a 3 foot wave and showed no mercy for World No. 3 Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) as she eliminated the Australian World Title contender in equal 5th place.

After a somewhat slow start to her 2019 campaign, Defay started to turn her season around with a Quarterfinal in J-Bay this summer, before posting an impressive runner-up result at the Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown, and is guaranteed another big finish in France this week.

After a somewhat slow start to her 2019 campaign, Defay started to turn her season around with a Quarterfinal in J-Bay this summer, before posting an impressive runner-up result at the Freshwater Pro pres. by Outerknown, and is guaranteed another big finish in France this week. “I had a great time out there,” said Defay. “I was a bit sceptical when they sent us out at La Nord on the incoming tide but with 50mn heats we really had time to find the right waves and I got that very nice one with the 9. That wave just had a great wall and I didn’t need a huge score so I focused on the first turn and gave it everything. Then I saw I actually had time to hit it a second time and I was stoked to land that re-entry at the end.”

In the final heat of the day, Caroline Marks (USA) upset yesterday’ standout Courtney Conlogue (USA). Marks’ lethal backhand proved efficient on the Gold Coast, at Bells Beach and J-Bay and once again looked flawless on the big rights of La Nord, as she posted an impressive 8.17 on two solid hacks to take out the final slot in the Semis.

“I free surfed out there this morning but it double in size and I was on a completely different board in my heat,” said Marks. “It was super fun out there and we had nice, long heats so it was awesome to surf it out and get a bunch of opportunities. Courtney’s been on fire and she doesn’t have a weakness, she beat me at the US Open and that one really stung.”

The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro France will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL’s Facebook page, and the WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

Roxy Pro France Semifinal Match-Ups:
SF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
SF 2: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)

Roxy Pro France Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.60 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 9.77
QF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 15.60 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 8.83 QF 3: Johanne Defay (FRA) 15.40 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.26
QF 4: Caroline Marks (USA) 12.57 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 8.16