Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) took the win in Elimination Round 1, Heat 1, with event wildcard Mia McCarthy (AUS) in second, to eliminate Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) from the Rip Curl Rottnest Search pres. by Corona. Credit: © WSL / Miers.

The Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona, the fifth stop on the 2021 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) and the final event of the Australian leg, eliminated the first competitors from the draw today in the clean-but-slow, two-to-three foot waves at Strickland Bay. The women’s and men’s Elimination Round 2 saw the first six competitors exit, and the competition is now set for the men’s Round of 32 and women’s Round of 16.

Due to the dropping swell and onshore winds forecast, event organizers have called the competition OFF for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, and will reconvene on Wednesday, May 19, to reassess the conditions and make the next call.

Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) came into this event as the current World No. 2 after winning the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro. After a tough loss in yesterday’s opening round, Weston-Webb was relegated to the first Elimination round of the day against Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) and event wildcard Mia McCarthy (AUS). In the slow conditions, Weston-Webb was unable to find the scores to advance past Van Dijk and McCarthy, and was eliminated in equal 17th place.

“It is really slow out there this morning; I think the ocean needs a coffee,” Van Dijk said. “I’m really stoked to make it through that heat though. Yesterday I feel like I came a little bit unstuck and couldn’t finish my last turns, so I’m glad to have made it out of the Elimination Round, it’s sketchy that round. I love surfing my backhand and I feel like our opportunities to go left are few and far between, so I really want to capitalize at this event. It’s all good though, I’m back in the event and I’m looking forward to some more heats.”

Brisa Hennessy (CRI) was eliminated in the second heat of the Elimination Round, unable to overcome Australians Isabella Nichols and Bronte Macaulay. Hennessy has had a difficult run so far in the 2021 season with four consecutive 9th place finishes and a 17th place result today. Hennessy will look to improve her results on the CT’s final stretch, next heading to the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, Calif.

The holding period for the Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona is now open and runs through May 26. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners. Event organizers have called the competition OFF for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, and will reconvene on Wednesday, May 19, for the next call.

Tatiana Weston-Webb

Rip Curl Rottnest Search Women’s Elimination Round 2 Results:
HEAT 1: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 10.10 DEF. Mia McCarthy (AUS) 7.16, Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 4.77
HEAT 2: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.33 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 13.10, Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 9.23

Rip Curl Rottnest Search Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
HEAT 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS)
HEAT 3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
HEAT 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Sage Erickson (USA)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Mia McCarthy (AUS)
HEAT 6: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
HEAT 8: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)