Women's Rip Curl Pro Bells Round 1 Recap

Round 1 of the Women’s Rip Curl Pro got underway at Bells Beach yesterday and we saw some early upsets before things settled down into predictability. Here are the Round 1 results:

Heat 1 - Bianca Buitendag defeats Stephanie Gilmore and Chelsea Tuach: Bianca got busy early, but when Gilmore put up an 8.00 about halfway through the heat I thought the three-time Bells champ had this locked up. However, Buitendag looked good on her backhand, as she always does, and she scored big toward the end of the heat to pull the upset. Tuach’s lack of experience at tricky Bells was evident, but she’ll only get better at wave selection with more time.

Heat 2 – Malia Manuel defeats Sally Fitzgibbons and Alessa Quizon: Another upset early in this event. The waves were really tricky in this heat, and Sally only got two legitimate waves. Malia backed up a good wave with a solid one, and that’s all she needed. Sally is yet to win a heat this season. I never thought I would be typing that here. She needs a Round 2 victory.

Heat 3 – Carissa Moore defeats Keely Andrew and Brisa Hennessy: The chalk prevails here. Carissa was solid yet unspectacular, but the waves were not conducive to the sharpest surfing in the world. Moore remains the favorite in this event.

Carissa Moore will look to ring the bell again.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Heat 4 – Courtney Conlogue defeats Laura Enever and Nikki Van Dijk: Courtney dominated and dropped a 9.17 late in the heat despite Nikki interfering on the wave. She looked strong and powerful in some solid Bells surf.

Heat 5 – Tyler Wright defeats Sage Erickson and Coco Ho: Ho looked to be in control of this heat pretty late, but Tyler pulled out an 8.60 and that was all she wrote. I keep beating this drum, but Tyler’s power is a major advantage over many of the Women’s CT competitors. Bells is the perfect place for her to showcase it as long as there is significant swell on offer.

Heat 6 – Johanne Defay defeats Tatiana Weston-Webb and Bronte Macauley:  Defay looked smooth and stylish at Bells, which was not a common theme of this first round. Weston-Webb also surfed well and we know she’s comfortable in powerful waves.  

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Fantasy Picks for Women's Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

Here is a look at the Go Left Fantasy Surfer team for the Women’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach:

Carissa Moore ($10,000,000): She’s won the last three years at Bells and she’s the best surfer on tour. Need I say more?

Tyler Wright ($8,000,000): It’s hard to pick Tyler after her dominance at Snapper. She looks locked in this season, and I think she’s a legitimate threat to Carissa for the World Title. She’s got more raw power than any other competitor on the Women’s CT, and I love her at Bells.

Stephanie Gilmore ($6,000,000): Gilmore’s price tag has risen to $6,500,000, but I get a discount from carrying her over form my Snapper squad. It looks like she’s back in good physical condition this season, so watch out. She made the finals here last season pre-injury.

Malia Manuel ($4,500,000): Malia made the quarters at Snapper and looked solid in doing so. She’s available here for a nice price.

Bronte Macaulay ($1,500,000): I was thoroughly impressed with Macaulay on the Gold Coast, and she’s got a really cool style to her surfing. Can’t beat the price tag either.

Alternate – Brisa Hennessey : Take a chance on the new girl.

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Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Women's Preview

The Roxy Pro Gold Coast kicked off the season recently and saw Tyler Wright dominate from start to finish. The Women’s CT now heads to Bell Beach for the Rip Curl Pro, and it should be an awesome event. Wright looks more focused than ever, and she seems to have a much more strategic approach to the 2016 season. She’s one-for-one under the tutelage of new coach Glenn “Micro” Hall, and Tyler definitely has the kind of power game that can thrive in big Bells walls. However, the Women’s CT is more competitive than ever, and earning back-to-back CT victories is certainly a tall task.

Reigning World Champ Carissa Moore fell to Wright in the semis at Snapper, and she’s surely going to be motivated to win at Bells. She’s won the last three years at the Rip Curl Pro, so betting against her seems like a risky decision. Still, there is so much talent on the CT right now that any heat can become an upset quickly. Carissa has to be the favorite at Bells, though.

Carissa Moore has won the last three years at Bells.
Courtesy of chde.eu

It will be interesting to see how Sally Fitzgibbons rebounds from her first-ever Round 2 exit, which she suffered on the Gold Coast. That was a shocker, but a bounce-back performance from the Aussie would not be. She’s made the semis at Bells the last two years, and I would expect her to return again in 2016.

Don’t sleep on Stephanie Gilmore and Courtney Conlogue, as either of them could win at Bells. Steph made the final last year, while Courtney reached the semis. These two are elite surfers capable of winning the World Title this season. Bells should be a great show, and I must admit that I’m tempted to pick Tyler to win it all thanks to her rail game. However, as I said earlier, betting against Carissa is risky, too risky for my taste. I’ll take the reigning Bells champ here.

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Takeaways From the Gold Coast

The World Surf League Championship Tour season kicked off this past week with a pair of events that were exciting, dramatic and entertaining. Here are some takeaways from the Gold Coast:

The Winners: Let’s start with Matt Wilkinson. Snapper marked Wilko’s first CT victory, and he was a standout all the way through. I had a good feeling about Wilko heading into the event, putting him on my Fantasy Surfer team, but I didn't expect him to win the event. The Aussie surfed the minimum number of heats possible in the event, and his backhand was on full display on each day of competition. He’s just the third goofyfoot (Go Left!) to win the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, and he did it in convincing fashion. Some people may point to the Filipe Toledo injury and try to cheapen the victory, but don’t let that influence you. A win on the CT is incredibly tough to pull off, and some really good surfers never get one.

Matt Wilkinson's backhand is lethal.
Courtesy of Rian Castillo

As for Tyler Wright, I have to say that her win was even more impressive than Wilko’s. I’ve had a feeling that we were going to see a new Tyler Wright in 2016, and so far so good on that prediction. She looked great in Round 1 and never stopped shredding. Perhaps what is most impressive about her win is that she had to finish it out with wins over Carissa Moore and Courtney Conlogue, the Top 2 surfers from 2015. Wright seems focused and ready to seriously contend for the World Title this season, and she’ll be wearing yellow at Bells.

*I’d like to give a special nod Glenn “Micro” Hall, who began coaching both Wilko and Tyler this past offseason. He’s off the tour now, but he’s making more of an impact than ever. I dare say more people could be clamoring for his services in the not-too-distant future.

The Upsets and Rookies: The Quiksilver pro was filled with upsets, as guys like Julian Wilson, Mick Fanning and Gabriel Medina were all bounced really early at Snapper. Conner Coffin, Kanoa Ingarashi and Caio Ibelli all reached Round 5, which is basically unheard of for a trio of rookies in their first event of the year. I was especially impressed with Coffin, who possesses a powerful rail game that should net him some big scores in several spots on tour this season. Is this the year of parity in the CT ranks, or was this just a fluke occurrence?

The Women’s CT: The Women’s CT is in a great place right now. There are multiple surfers that are legitimately capable of winning a World Title, especially if Carissa Moore has a down year (dubious). But it’s not just top-heavy anymore. The depth of the women’s tour is only getting better, and standout performances by the likes of Johanne Defay and Bronte Macauley only prove this further.

Johanne Defay showed some progressive surfing on the Gold Coast.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Stu Kennedy's Board: Stuart Kennedy was the talk of the event for most of the week. His board looked faster than any other, and he parlayed that drive all the way to the Semifinals. Kennedy took down Kelly, Medina and John John along the way, showing that he is deserving of the major sponsor he lacks. While his performance was electric, his equipment may have gotten more attention. The Sci-Phi model is actually due to be released soon, and designed by none other than Slater Designs.

Mick Fanning’s Requalification: Mick has said he’s only going to surf select events this season, but he intends on requalifying for 2017. However, with a Round 3 exit at Snapper, Mick may have to surf more events than he wants to in order to earn enough points. Of course, he’ll probably win at Bells and shut me up, so let’s move along.

Toledo’s Injury: Filipe Toledo injured his hip/back/leg/unclear landing an air on some backwash. We don’t have much information, but he was headed from the beach to the hospital for some tests. He seemed pretty upbeat in a quick interview before his departure, so hopefully it’s not that serious. If he is forced to miss any events, it really shakes up the World Title race.

Some post-Snapper rankings that stand out:

Men’s CT

1. Matt Wilkinson: Speaks for itself.

2. Kolohe Andino: I thought 2015 was going to be a big year for Brother. Maybe I was a year early?

3. Stuart Kennedy: He should get a lot of injury replacement slots this season, so get used to seeing him.

5. Joel Parkinson: Parko looked good at Snapper before running into the buzz saw that was a pre-injury Toledo. Does he have another title run left in him?

5. John John Florence: John John looks motivated and more strategic. Every other surfer on tour should take note.

9. Conner Coffin: He was the most impressive of the rookies at Snapper.

13. Mick Fanning: Surprisingly early exit from the three-time world champ.

13. Gabriel Medina: Another slow start to the year is not what the former champ is looking for.

25. Julian Wilson: It was an ugly couple of days for Julian, who didn’t look like himself. Let’s hope he gets himself right for Bells.

Women’s CT

1. Tyler Wright: Could it be her year?

3. Carissa Moore: She didn’t look great, but she still made the semis. Look for fireworks at Bells.

5. Steph Gilmore: She’s back, but she’s not all the way back. Will she pick up steam as the season goes on?

5. Tatiana Weston-Webb: I really really impressed by the young Hawaiian at Snapper. How long until she’s competing for a World Title?

9. Bronte Macauley: Loved her style, and would love to see her in some events this season.

13. Sally Fitzgibbons: Sally experienced her first-ever Round 2 exit this week. Don’t expect it to become a regular thing. 

Follow Morgan, Founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Roxy Pro Semifinals Set

While the Quiksilver Pro has seen some major upsets and big names going down early, we’ve gotten more chalk from the Roxy Pro. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as we've got some of the top surfers on the CT on contention. The Semifinals are all set for the event, so let’s take a look at the heats:

Heat 1 – Tyler Wright vs. Carissa Moore: This is a monster heat. Carissa is the reigning World Champ, as well as the 2015 Roxy Pro champ, and she’s looked very solid in this event so far. She hasn’t been on fire, though, so she could be beatable. If anyone can take her down, it very well could be Tyler. Moore has traditionally dominated these head-to-head matchups, but Wright looks like a different surfer in 2016. She seems focused and determined, and she’s been extremely powerful and creative at Snapper thus far. This should be a fantastic heat.

Tyler Wright has looked great in this event, but a matchup with Carissa Moore looms.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Heat 2 – Courtney Conlogue vs. Johanne Defay: Courtney has looked extremely consistent since losing her Round 1 heat, and she definitely looks to have the form to win this event. She drew the lucky straw in the semis here, as she avoids both Tyler and Carissa. Don’t sleep on Defay, though, as she has really looked impressive on the Gold Coast this year. In her Quarterfinal matchup with Tatiana Weston-Webb, Johanne pulled a ridiculous nose pick in a fashion that we don’t often see on the Women’s CT. The girls are getting more and more progressive, and it makes things more exciting. Courtney is certainly the favorite in this heat, but don't put her in the Final just yet. 

*Quiksilver Pro Quarterfinal Preview coming later today*

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Roxy Pro Day 1 Recap

We got to see the Roxy Pro Gold Coast get underway yesterday, and the waves got progressively better as the afternoon went on. Here are some takeaways from the first three rounds of competition:

Sally Fitzgibbons went down in Round 2 for the first time in her career. It actually looked like Sally had her Round 1 heat locked up, but a late charge from Malia Manuel forced her into the second round. Fitzgibbons surfed well in Round 2 as well, but Bronte Macaulay maxed out a pair of waves and pulled the major upset. I’m guessing this will serve as further motivation for Sally this season.

Round 2 was surprisingly filled with top surfers, as Sally, Courtney Conlogue and Stephanie Gilmore were all forced to that round after Round 1 losses. Courtney and Steph really turned it on in that second round, though, suddenly looking like the two strongest surfers at Snapper Rocks, partially thanks to improving conditions. Gilmore would suffer another loss in Round 3 to a red-hot Tyler Wright, and it looks like she’s taking the scenic route in this event.

Tyler, Courtney and Carissa Moore all booked trips to the Quarterfinals, and they were the standout performers on Day 1. They, along with Gilmore, look like the favorites to win this first event of the season. I also want to note how impressed I was by a pair of young surfers, Macauley and Isabella Nichols. They both looked extremely poised for their lack of CT experience.

Carissa Moore, reigning World Champion, won both of her heats on Day 1.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Round 4 has some really interesting matchups on the docket:

Heat 1 – Stephanie Gilmore vs. Nikki Van Dijk: Gilmore has looked really good, so it’s surprising to see her in Round 4. Van Dijk has been solid, as she always is, but I would be surprised to see her bounce the former World Champion here.

Heat 2 – Malia Manuel vs. Bronte Macauley: This is an intriguing heat. Manuel has to be considered the favorite, but what I saw from Bronte yesterday makes me think she definitely has a chance. She’s got great style, as Ross Williams noted, and her backhand was excellent on pumping surf on Day 1.

Heat 3 – Sage Erickson vs. Keely Andrew: Both of these surfers pulled significant upsets in Round 1. Sage took down Conlogue, while Keely beat Steph Gilmore. They both stumbled in Round 3, but someone is headed for the quarters.

Heat 4 – Bianca Buitendag vs. Johanne Defay: Both of these women are very good surfers, probably just outside of the top tier group of the CT right now. Johanne put up a heat score of more than 16 in Round 2, so she’s definitely capable of putting up big scores.

Here are the highlights:

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf

Women's CT Season Preview

The World Surf League’s Women’s World Championship Tour is as strong as it’s ever been, and the talent pool seems to get deeper on an annual basis.  A couple of years ago, the Women’s CT was extremely top-heavy, with really just a few surfers that had a legitimate shot of winning an event. Things are becoming more balanced now, which is great for the tour. Let’s take a look at the Top 5 surfers in the 2016 Go Left Projected Rankings for the Women’s CT:

1. Carissa Moore, Hawaii

We currently have the pleasure of watching perhaps the best competitive female surfer in history in Carissa Moore. Just 23 years of age, Moore has already won three World Titles in five years on tour, and I think picking her over the field to win it all in 2016 is the smart move. Carissa is the best surfer of them all right now, and I can’t see that changing any time soon. She’s won nearly ¾ of her career heats, a staggering number, and she simply looks the part in the water every time she paddles out. Her consistency, ability to surf well in all conditions and competitive drive make her a no-brainer for the top spot on this list. Oh, and there’s the fact that she won the World Title in 2015.

Carissa Moore is the best surfer on the Women's CT.
Courtesy of chde.eu

2. Tyler Wright, Australia

This may be mostly a gut call, but I think 2016 is going to be Tyler Wright’s best season yet. I am a big fan of her surfing, as she is the most powerful shredder on the Women’s CT. She won in France last year while consistently making quarterfinals throughout much of the season. She’s not flashy, but when she gets the chance to really rip off some big turns there is nobody that can match her raw aggression and power on open faces. If she can take advantage of that in events like Bells, Margaret River and Maui she could be in the running for the World Title. I don’t see anyone beating Carissa, but I like Tyler a lot this year.

3. Courtney Conlogue, USA

Courtney Conlogue seemed to be on the verge of putting it all together for a couple of years, and in 2015 it all happened. She won three events and finished second on tour after having a shot at the World Title going into the Target Pro. Interestingly, she didn’t make a final in any contest aside from the three she won, but there is little doubt that she’s an elite surfer. I dropped her to third in the Go Left rankings only because I expect such big things from Tyler Wright this season.

4. Stephanie Gilmore, Australia

The only real question relating to Steph Gilmore is her health, but it’s a big question. She missed most of last season due to injury, and she is the elder stateswoman (yet still just 28) in the elite group of the Women’s CT. However, she remains the only other surfer aside from Carissa Moore to win a World Title since the young Hawaiian joined the ranks. It was difficult to figure out where to rank Gilmore coming off last season, but this feels like the right spot. She’s won an amazing six World Titles; can she make it a seventh? I wouldn’t rule out the possibility if she can stay healthy and locked in all season long, but her injury history drops her to fourth in the rankings.

Is Steph Gilmore set for a bounce-back 2016 season?
Courtesy of surfglassy

5. Sally Fitzgibbons

I like Sally Fitzgibbons a lot, but I just couldn’t rank her any higher. Carissa, Courtney and Steph have more style, and Tyler has more power. That kind of leaves Sally in no-man’s land, and while being ranked fifth is nothing to be ashamed of it’s clear that Fitzgibbons craves a World Title. She’s a notoriously hard worker, and I’d love to see it pay off and win her the crown. It’s going to be quite the challenge, though.

Follow Morgan, founder of Go Left, on Twitter @GoLeftSurf