Record number of qualifiers jump to the Championship Tour

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Form Guide

a0915943eda5fa8ef6fc4c40d17e7eb7.jpgWith the World Cup Of Surfing over we're one step closer to finalising the starters for next year's Championship Tour. Still to come is the Pipe Masters and though it may rejig the outcome it's certain that 2016 will see a record number of QS rookie's qualify for the CT.

As things stand right now the top 15 surfers on the QS are:

1. Caio Ibelli
2. Jack Freestone
3. Kolohe Andino
4. Miguel Pupo
5. Filipe Toledo
6. Alejo Muniz
7. Kanoa Igarishi
8. Alex Ribeiro
9. Conner Coffin
10. Ryan Callinan
10. Davey Cathels
12. Stuart Kennedy
13. Dusty Payne
14. Jeremy Flores
15. Connor O'Leary

As usual, the top 10 move onto the CT. Of those in the 10 only one, Filipe Toledo, is assured of double qualifying meaning Ryan Callinan and Davey Cathels - tied in 10th place - are assured a start for next year. Under this scenario there will be seven rookies on next year's CT - the past record is six.

The only changes that can occur is if Kolohe Andino, Mig Pupo, or Alejo Muniz do well at the Pipe Masters and manage to double qualify. If they do their places will go (respectively) to Stu Kennedy, Dusty Payne, and Connor O'Leary, and the rookie count will increase.

Comments

carpetman's picture
carpetman's picture
carpetman Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:11pm

Isn't it impossible for Alejo to double qualify?

He's currently on 8,450, and, if he wins pipe he'll end on 18,450. Bourez is in 22nd spot with 18,700 but even if he pulls out of pipe his final point score would remain the same. So Connor O'leary should be prepping for another slog on the QS, right?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:17pm

Ah, probably so. Deadlines being what they are and the sheer improbablity of it occuring meant I didn't get the calculator out.

But yeah, you're correct, even if he wins Pipe Alejo can't double qualify.

Appreciate the number-crunching!

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:44pm

Stu I haven't been up to the how the whole deal is structured but how come the regulars on the WCT are allowed to compete against the wannabes? Makes it tough for the up and comers to break into the tour. Is this a change since the tennis dummy spit by Bobby?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:53pm

@Memla,

Anyone can compete on the QS, it's always been this way since long before Bobby blew up about things.

Generally, lower-rated CT surfers will do a few QS comps through the year as back up in case they dont qualify via the CT. That's their insurance policy.

In Hawaii many more CT surfers enter the two QS comps because, for one, they're already there, and two, they can surf Haleiwa and Sunset with just three other guys. 

bookem28's picture
bookem28's picture
bookem28 Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 4:25pm

Isn't there also some rule about the CT surfers also having to enter at least 2 QS events per year.

fatjackdave's picture
fatjackdave's picture
fatjackdave Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:38pm

As an aside, Fanning can win Pipe, the Triple Crown, The WC all in a year where he punched a shark.

Some athlete's go on too long but you can't tell me Fanning's jumped the shark.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 3:59pm

It's horn tootin' time!

On the 1st October - over two looooong months ago - I tapped some Nostradamus shit saying the QS rankings, "foreshadow a significant shake up. If the trend holds true then 2016...will see a record number of QS surfers appear likely to qualify."

https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2015/10/01/qualifying-series-upheaval-2016

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 4:53pm

So anybody below Bourez at the moment is in trouble unless they have done a few QS's

mackdog's picture
mackdog's picture
mackdog Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 5:43pm

What about the whispers of the older crew retiring from the CT?
Kelly, Mick,Taj,Joel,Bede and Kai all going to re-qualify but if they retire does the vacant CT spot go to a QS or lower ranked CT guy or... an injury replacement to Banting as well as Jordy.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 6:13pm

The rule says that if a surfer retires the vacancy goes to the next surfer on the same tour. So if the rumours come to fruition there'll be a few CT backmarkers breathing sighs of relief.

mick-free's picture
mick-free's picture
mick-free Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 6:34pm

Well Alejo can't double qualify, 10000 points for winning pipe and he is still behind Michel Bourez. Bourez is at no. 22 on CT so if he loses would expect him and Jordy to get injury wildcards.

Stu Kennedy wasn't he pipped by one a few years ago????

barley's picture
barley's picture
barley Friday, 4 Dec 2015 at 6:37pm

It seems like every year when the new guys get on the 'ct tour they all just relax and go 'I wanna focus on the 'ct all year' fucken bullshit ..if you only get in by the 'qs then you gotta work twice as hard to stay there..i.e do both tours..I am sick of seeing great surfers work so hard to get on the 'ct only to sort of take a step back and do the 'ct events..surely the old adage if you bite off more than you can chew then chew like fuck has its merits..or else its back to being the dishpig