BARRA DE LA CRUZ, Oaxaca, Mexico (Thursday, August 12, 2021) - The world’s best surfers delivered an action-packed day at the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver, completing the women's and men's Rounds of 16 and the Quarterfinals in solid six-foot waves at Barra de la Cruz.  

Women’s WSL Final 5 Confirmed with Defay, Fitzgibbons, Gilmore, and Weston-Webb Joining Moore

Johanne Defay (FRA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) will join Carissa Moore (HAW) in the WSL Final 5 and compete at the World Title-deciding Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles next month.

Although Defay and Weston-Webb clinched their spots at the first-ever WSL Finals, they both were defeated in the Quarterfinals and are out of the Corona Open Mexico. Defay got eliminated by Malia Manuel (HAW), who is currently No. 10 on the WSL Leaderboard and needs to win this event in order to re-qualify for the CT next year. 

“I’m so happy about it,” said Defay. “We didn’t compete for a year, so the goal this year was just to step back into the competition and get good results. I’m super happy I’m a part of the first-ever Top 5.”

Seven-time WSL Champion Gilmore took the win in Heat 4 against Weston-Webb and also clinched her spot in the WSL Final 5. Gilmore was fighting for a spot with Courtney Conlogue (USA) and rookie Isabella Nichols (AUS) but secured her spot after both surfers got eliminated in the Quarterfinals. 

“Once I heard that Tahiti was canceled I knew this was the event to make it happen,” said Gilmore. “I couldn’t let the foot off the gas here, because I wanted to make sure I had a shot into the Finals. So it’s amazing to be in it.”

“I’m really proud of myself,” said Weston-Webb.  “It’s been a really long year, full of challenges for everyone. So I’m just really proud of how my team is so well put together, full of love and light. I’m very grateful.”

Fitzgibbons’ battle with Conlogue unfolded with a showcase of forehand attacks from two CT veterans. Both found opportunities to release their signature power and flair but in the end, Fitzgibbons’ rhythm with the ocean proved to be her winning factor. With the win, Fitzgibbons secured her spot in the WSL Final 5. 

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Fitzgibbons. “I believed it was possible. I’ve tried to grow and expand my game and that’s just the first step. Just getting the opportunity and letting my surfing breathe at Lowers for some high-risk surfing - this whole season’s been a warmup for that.”

World No. 1 Moore decimated rookie sensation Nichols' hopes of making a second Final in her first year among the world’s best with a blinding performance - earning an event-high 9.80 and 17.47. The four-time WSL Champion and Olympic gold medalist continues to look unstoppable heading into the WSL Finals with a seventh-straight Semifinal appearance. 

Ferreira, Toledo, Coffin and Cibilic Join Medina in Men’s WSL Final 5

On the men’s side, reigning WSL Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Conner Coffin (USA), and rookie Morgan Cibilic (AUS) have secured their places in the WSL Final 5 alongside World No. 1 Gabriel Medina (BRA). 

Ferreira and Coffin both got eliminated in the Quarterfinals but had much to celebrate in Barra De La Cruz as they made it into the Rip Curl WSL Finals. Wildcard Mateus Herdy (BRA) defeated Ferreira with a 9.27 point wave, while Olympian Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) took the win against Cibilic in the Round of 16, and Coffin in the Quarterfinals. Toledo, who got eliminated early in Mexico by Olympian wildcard Rio Waida (IDN), also clinched his spot in the WSL Final 5. 

“That was one of my goals and I’m so happy to be in this position,” said Ferreira. “I had a good heat with Mateus, and he smashed that last wave, so I’m so stoked for him. Now I’ll put all my energy into the last event of the year and give everything to win it. This is my goal right now and I’m ready for it.”

I’m so fired up to be going to the finals,” said Coffin. “It was one of those weird weeks where everything sort of crumbled into my lap and panned out perfectly. With Teahupoo getting canceled it played into my favor even though I would’ve loved to surf some good waves and big tubes there, but I’m stoked to go to Lowers.”

The biggest upset of the day came in the Quarterfinals when Deivid Silva (BRA) took down Medina with a dominant backhand display. The second-year CT competitor unleashed his potential to overpower fellow goofyfoot, two-time WSL Champion, Medina with an 8.67. Medina’s last-ditch effort left him hung up behind a Barra wall before leaving himself an opportunity to finish strong, but couldn’t find his footing on the massive rotation. 

“That was the best heat of my life,” said Silva. “I’m very, very happy. Medina is such a great surfer. I have a very hard heat next against Leo, but I’m feeling good. My boards feel good, and I’m really looking forward to the Semis”. 

The final seeding for the Rip Curl WSL Finals will be announced after the conclusion of the 2021 Championship Tour regular season.

Tahiti Pro Cancelled Following State Of Emergency In French Polynesia

Today, the WSL announced the cancellation of the Tahiti Pro following the French Government's declared state of emergency for French Polynesia due to COVID-19 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moving French Polynesia into a Level 4 zone and advising people not to travel. The WSL will not be replacing the Tahiti event on short notice, given the global health and safety conditions at the moment.

“Obviously we’re very disappointed but It’s really important we’re keeping those communities safe,” said Miley-Dyer. “So this is going to be our final event for the 2021 regular season for the championship tour. I just want to say thank you to everybody for supporting WSL and for supporting pro surfing.”

Corona Open Mexico Men’s Round of 16 Results: 
HEAT 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.60 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 13.20
HEAT 2: Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.44 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.67
HEAT 3: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 14.00 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 12.00
HEAT 4: Conner Coffin (USA) 14.50 DEF. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 9.40
HEAT 5: Jack Robinson (AUS) 15.80 DEF. Rio Waida (IDN) 13.00
HEAT 6: Frederico Morais (PRT) 15.43 DEF. Yago Dora (BRA) 12.26
HEAT 7: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.50 DEF. Kelly Slater (USA) 12.57
HEAT 8: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 13.34 DEF. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.84

Corona Open Mexico Women’s Round of 16 Results: 
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 14.00 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 12.97
HEAT 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.60 DEF. Caroline Marks (USA) 10.93
HEAT 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.43
HEAT 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.50 DEF. Keely Andrew (AUS) 11.50
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.37 DEF. Silvana Lima (BRA) 15.33
HEAT 6: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.60 DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 12.30
HEAT 7: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 15.57 DEF. Sage Erickson (USA) 3.43
HEAT 8: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 14.07 DEF. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 12.57

Corona Open Mexico Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Deivid Silva (BRA) 15.34 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.14
HEAT 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 15.73 DEF. Conner Coffin (USA) 14.24
HEAT 3: Jack Robinson (AUS)14.06 DEF. Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.60
HEAT 4: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 16.54 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 15.43

Corona Open Mexico Women’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.67 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 9.67
HEAT 2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 15.17 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.77
HEAT 3: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.47 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 10.50
HEAT 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.50 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.33

Corona Open Mexico Men’s Semifinals Matchups: 
HEAT 1: Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Mateus Herdy (BRA)

Corona Open Mexico Women’s Semifinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)