Mikey Wright and Leo Fioravanti in three-heat surf off for injury wildcard
A quick flashback to late 2019:
Three surfers - Adriano de Souza, Mikey Wright, and Leo Fioravanto - apply for the two injury wildcards. Being a past world champ and having hurt himself in competition, ADS is a shoo-in for the first wildcard, but as for the second wildcard, the Wozzle can't split Leo and Mikey so they opt for a novel solution.
That being, each will surf the three contests of the 2020 Australian leg and whoever finishes ahead will receive the wildcard for the rest of the season.
But before the first contest began COVID threw a spanner in the works and now the Woz have had to restructure the world tour, meaning they've again had to concoct a way to split the applicants. This time 'round, Mikey and Leo will surf three man-on-man heats with the winner progressing through the rest of the season - though surfing three heats at Pipe with just one other surfer is a good consolation prize for the loser.
The loser of the best-of-three will get the first replacement spot for the rest of the 2021 season. Already Ace Buchan has indicated he won't be surfing Pipe as he'd then have to spend Christmas in quarantine, so it's likely neither Leo or Mikey will 'lose' at Pipe.
The first of Leo and Mikey's heats will take place between the first and second rounds of the local trials for the Pipe Masters, the second will happen between the semi-final and the final of the trials and, if needed, the decider will run on the first day of the main event.
The main event for Pipe begins on the 8th December, and though it's nearly two weeks away the forecast is looking good.
Comments
Hey Stu, is that meant to read "Each will surf the first three contests of the American leg" ?
Nah, the original plan was they'd surf the three Oz comps, Snapper, Bells, and Margs.
Bit weird phrasing, the past written in present tense, but that's what was proposed.
No worries, cheers. Be a bit weird if they did the Aussie, leg to qualify but missed out on a few comps at the season start. Maybe the original plan back then was to start the tour here.
So if Mikey pulls an Ace and decides it's not feasible to head to Pipe at the moment, he'll be shafted for the year?
I remember these photos! Has the passage of time illuminated what was in Leo's very stylish accessory case?
Funny you should mention that !
The WSL has a special edition of the Unboxing series featuring special guests. The first was meant to be Leo and his alluring travel case ....just what was inside ? Tantalising stuff !
Here’s a couple of promo shots from the episode .
Spoiler Alert !
Mit der faust !
skeet surfin' for the surf off?
Such a perfect tie in.
Thank you.
Funny you should have those pic handy dude ; 0..
Christmas just around the corner and I’m being inundated with requests for gift suggestions.
Fcked if I need or want another fishing rod.
Leo’s stamp of approval has sealed the deal.
Blowin you know how much Ding Alley is a fan of Unboxing Things! Surely the highpoint of the Woz's content creation mission!
I’d be none the wiser about their powerful unboxing shows if it wasn’t for Ding Alley keeping me abreast of WSL content development.
Much thanks !
hahaha so good
How about we just give it to Mikey because he's better!
Crazy solution I know but hey.
Leo’s looking sharp as. This isn’t coming as a gift for Mikey unfortunately
So Ace is out? Is that official? Will have to remove him from my fantasy team.
Is there a Swellnet league?
Maybe they could make it the best of 3 doing 'rock/paper/scissors' but also add flipping the bird to give it that authentic 'rogue surfing rebel' feel.
Lets see, who deserves the spot? Leo who surfs like a contender for the title - if it was 1989. Mikey, the faux rebel, obscene gestures and huge corporate logos not withstanding or an ex World Champion known for hard work and no frills surfing? I know who I'd select...
So called Wild Cards just beat every Oz Surfer WSL could stack against them.
Leonardo Fioravanti won 2020 Sydney Pro - 96 surfers / 15 countries (CT has 9)
He beat 26 of Oz best Surfers + Cleaned up 24 WSL seeds.
Leonardo on his own wiped Olympic Teams from OZ / NZ / Portugal / Mauritius / Peru
Unseeded / Locked Out Italian- had no right to Surf in a WSL event but won!
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2020/mqs/3473/sydney-surf-pro
Goes on to Covid breach a North Coast Surf break with Kelly.
Leonardo is King of Oz & 2021 WSL No 1 seed from 15 countries / Best 2020 results.
Mikey also just wiped out his fellow Aussies to win WSL Oz Grand Slam Series
Pretty sure these 'Wild cards' recovered from their injuries! (Well & truly revved up!)
Consider Leonardo + Mikey just won the Top tier Oz / World 2020 WSL trophies.
The Wildcards are currently 2020 WSL No.1 / No.2 Surfers in the World
Leonardo & Mikey have deservedly earned exemptions from some shitty Surf Off.
2021 seeds 1 Leonardo 2 Mikey just humiliated retro 2019 WSL Olympic Surfers.
Pretty sure 2019 WSL Pro seeds & Olympic Teams could do with that surf off thingy.
Tip: WSL Pro Olympians are gonna need more than 3 Comps to catch the Wild cards.
New Plan! Wild Cards will sit out 3 Comps to give Class of 2019 a fighting chance!
tbb is on board with that...WSL are finally starting to make sense...Salute!
Amazing how much the public loves the bald bogan. Anyone know if he is really like that or is the mullet and hat and truck all a bit of a image thing to stand out in the land of nice surfers ? Seems odd that Owen and Tyler are quite refined in comparison.
Met Mikey years back when his whole family were hanging in the same Warung at Ulu's. Guessing he was around 15 at the time, short hair, clean cut looking kid. Was ripping(as whole family were) and seemed to be a really nice kid, friendly and chatty....