It is currently 5:50 in the morning. I just opened up my computer to Men’s Quarter Finals Heat 3 in the water – Yago Dora vs Ethan Ewing. Last year’s World Champion is in the Yellow jersey yet again. Could he go back-to-back? The interesting part about this, if he can do it, would be that he won last year’s World Title with the Finals Day running, and this year will be a full cumulative year of rankings determining the Champion. Well deserved, if he can get it done.
Nipping at his heels are three other Brazilian’s, two of which are former World Champs and are matched up for Semi Final 1, having already advanced through QF’s earlier this morning – Gabby Medina (ranked 5th) and Italo Ferreira (ranked 2nd). The other Brazilian who is in the mix is one of the fan favorites, and a bit of a Cinderella Story this year in Miguel Pupo. He’s already out of this event, but he is still ranked 3rd on the Live Rankings. Yago does not have an easy road to the Title. It will be a bitter battle till the end.
Yago currently has Ethan combo’d. Ewing just found a left drainer that had no exit, and Yago just slightly upped his scoreline, as well as got 1st priority back. This one is over. Facing off in the next heat are good friends and Trilogy: New Wave stars Griffin Colapinto and Seth Moniz. I will miss this heat because it’s time for me to go surfing.
Quickly, however, I had a glance at the Women’s side of the draw. The first 2 Quarter Finals had already ran and saw BettyLou advancing over ‘local’ Francisca Veselko, and Caity Simmers beating Carissa Moore. To make up the other Semi Final, Lakey Peterson took out event wildcard Teresa Bonvalot, and finally, Erin Brooks’ run has reached its end at the hands of Molly Picklum. 15 Heats, maybe 16 in a row, I believe? I’d have to do the math. Nonetheless, what an incredible feat. The surf world at large was wondering if she could make it 4 in a row. And I don’t think anyone doubted her, except maybe Pickles.
So if you are up and reading this with an open hour or so this morning, tune in. There are a few waves around still. It’s slow, but Yago found a pretty crazy drainer right that spit him out on his backhand. I’m sure there will still be moments. I am a little bummed to miss the Men’s Semi. Italo and Gabby just sound like fireworks. Yago vs (presumably) Griffin should be good too. The rest of the Women’s bracket will be fun as well. BettyLou is always surfs with tenacity, and Caity Simmers can be quite the opposite. Molly Picklum vs Lakey is a good one as well.
I’ll check back when the event is over. Until then, enjoy.
Watch the contest live – here.
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield