- 2023-03-16
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SPORTS
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World Surf League: Caitlin Simmers & Joao Chianca Claim Maiden Win at MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
The 3rd stop on the World Surf League 2023 Championship Tour, MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona took place at Supertubos in Peniche, Leiria, Portugal between March 8 and March 14, 2023.
Championship Tour rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) and sophomore Joao Chianca (BRA), took their maiden victory of CT at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, respectively.
In this event, surprisingly eight World Champions, Filipe Toledo, Italo Ferreira, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Tyler Wright, Carissa Moore and Stephanie Gilmore, were taken down and couldn't advance to the Quarterfinal.
In Women's Final, American competitors Caitlin Simmers and Courtney Conlogue competed in 8-to-10 foot waves. For two Americans, it is their first Final of 2023.
Courtney Conlogue earned 9.00 points on the first wave and pushed pressure to rookie. But afterwords, she was struggled to get good waves.
While, Caitlin Simmers showcased 7.17 and 6.33 points rides and led Courtney Conlogue. Finally, she defeated Courtney Conlogue and clamed her first win.
“I really can't believe it honestly,” said Caitlin Simmers. “Courtney (Conlogue) got really tubed, and I was like ok this is starting. I tried to get some away from her and paddle up and down the beach to find one and then it happened and I was really happy. This is my favorite kind of wave, I surf beach breaks pretty much everyday. I'm really grateful for everyone here, Portugal is really cool. I'm grateful for surfing, and I don't know what else to say, thank you!”- In Men's Final, Joao Chianca advanced to the Final for the first time in his career and competed current CT point leader Jack Robinson (AUS).
Joao Chianca showcased four high score rides, 7.83, 8.50, 9.07 and 8.13 points, and he recorded back-to-back excellent heats, both above 17 points out of possible 20, in the Semis and Final.
While, Jack Robinson scored 6.17 and 8.97 points but was unable to make a comeback win.
Eventually, Joao Chianca claimed his first victory of Championship Tour.
“Five minutes after I paddled out I just realized how good the waves were and how much I love everything about this,” Joao Chianca said. “Perfect barrels, perfect beach break. I just told myself to enjoy the process, you've been doing everything you can to make it happen. I was thinking all of this in the water, I was thinking if you don't get it now you will get it later. And it's incredible my time came. Since I qualified for the tour I've been dreaming about my first win, and it's incredible how it all came tog8.50, ether here in Portugal.”
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women's Final Results:
F 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.50 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.83
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women's Semifinal Matchups:
SF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.27 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 11.73
SF 2: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 13.00 def. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 6.04
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Women's Quarterfinal Matchups:
QF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.80 def. Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.40
QF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 12.60 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 11.83
QF 3: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 9.03 def. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 7.94
QF 4: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 9.93 def. Sophie McCulloch (AUS) 8.66
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men's Final Results:
F 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 17.57 def. Jack Robinson (AUS) 15.14
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men's Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 17.10 def. Callum Robson (AUS) 10.17
SF 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) 16.17 def. Yago Dora (BRA) 12.40
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Men's Quarterfinal Results:
QF 1: Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.00 def. Connor O'Leary (AUS) 12.27
QF 2: Callum Robson (AUS) 15.40 def. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.33
QF 3: Jack Robinson (AUS) 13.50 def. Rio Waida (INA) 5.67
QF 4: Yago Dora (BRA) 11.33 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 7.47
Photo by Damien Poullenot/World Surf League- source : World Surf League
