The Championship Tour Axe Falls
It's been known about for two years, but only in the last month has it created any controversy. The CT mid-season cut has arrived, and despite a signed petition from below-the-cut surfers and the threat of boycott, it's gone down very much as planned.
Deivid Silva (Hughes/WSL)
Following today's surfing at the Margaret River Pro the cut is complete.
The surfers failing to progress are:
Men
Owen Wright - missed out when Matt McGillivray won his heat
Morgan Cibilic
Imaikalani deVault
Conner Coffin
Joao Chianca
Ezekiel Lau
Leonardo Fioravanti
Frederico Morais
Ryan Callinan
Lucca Mesinas
Deivid Silva
Women
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
Luana Silva
India Robinson
Molly Picklum
Sally Fitzgibbon
Bronte Macaulay
Malia Manuel
Caroline Marks
All those surfers will now shift to the Challenger Series, an eight contest tour that begins on the Gold Coast next week. When it ends at Haleiwa in December the top twelve men and six women will jump up to the CT.
Comments
The cut is cruel for Owen, he's surfed great this season. If he'd won just one more heat he would be in. Give him a wildcard please!! He'll light up G-land too.
He looked shithouse when I saw him, compared to his competitors
Hard to argue GF, just felt he had a crack and got so close, on his backhand, probs has an RSI injury from looking over his right shoulder all these years and now misses the left-handers and JBay where he's a real chance.
Long scroll down to RCal to find next Aussie goofy coming through. Probably have to cheer for Nat Young I guess although there's always Medina for goofy genius.
The little bit of the heat i saw him in, he nearly fell off on two waves. Had five different comps to get a result...
thanks Stu,
Showing how uninformed I am here - but...
How many can compete on the challenger series? For the men and the women?
And - how does someone get to the challenger series?
I'm sure I could find this on the wozzle site but hoping to avoid that...
Around about 100 surfers compete in CS comps, though it can change slightly.
That figure is made up of the top surfers from seven different Qualifying Series regions: Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, Hawaii/Tahiti, North America, South America.
Each region gets roughly ten surfers (though weighting can change), and the rest of the field is made up of CT surfers who've registered for that contest.
I think its 90 men and 40 women turning up on the Gold Coast. Wish we could do as Lennox.
Strangely enough 'CT surfers who are above the cut are still contracted to surf in at least 2 x challenger series events. Can't imagine they'd want to be doing anymore than they'd have to as a win on a challenger event is inconsequential to them (their spot guaranteed for first 1/2 of 2023 anyway) and they're potentially taking points and prizemoney away from CS surfers.
hugging and fucking crying . what a bunch of fucking spoilt sooks , you wernt good enough . cry babys ,
hahahaha
have a good one!
It’s a shame to see Chianca cut. Some of his performances this year have been unbelievable. Hopefully he’s back asap.
I’d be happy to not see Lau again. He comes across as such an entitled spoilt wanker with a massive attitude problem.
Same goes with Silva. If you’re not willing to put yourself in the spot to catch waves at any spot on tour you don’t deserve to be there or to even be paid to surf imo. Plenty of other guys would kill to get that opportunity.
What happened to Caroline Marks? She was the “next big thing”
caroline_markss's profile picture
caroline_markss
Verified
(Repost @wsl)
World Number 6 Caroline Marks (USA) announces her withdrawal from the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach for medical reasons. "I was obviously really looking forward to competing at Sunset but unfortunately, after conferring with my team, I'm going to need to take time away from the CT to deal with some recurring medical and health issues. I'm looking forward to watching the Tour from home and can't wait to return as soon as I'm back to full strength."
Link in Bio
See you soon xoxo - Caroline
Thanks Simba. Wonder what’s up
probably like medina i think.....
Divorced?
goofy i think she was having a break due to personal problems.....maybe a bit stressed but would love to see her give gland and chopes a go .......she would go ok i recon
Yeah me too. She’d have to be one of the favourites I reckon
Well put GF Chianca was outstanding at pipe but fell short when he came up against the best but whata performance.
I like it - not a huge fan of comp surfing but did really enjoy a couple of days of Marg's and got a bit of an understanding of this new process. For mine, it creates a tension which was previously absent....enables those who are cut to have another crack whilst opening the door for fresh blood to usurp them - not more guarantees...nice
Can Zeke now use his Ultimate Surfer wildcards on the back half of the season?
Or has that plan been permanently memory holed now?
I mean, I imagine there would be a signed contract with those 3 wildcard spots on it, that both WSL and Zeke signed off on.
Apparently not.
I don't know for sure, but I imagine they'd have only been applicable for the first half of the year anyway.
All about qualifying.
What happened to Tia Blanco's 3 wildcard slots then?
That went the way of the viewership and shrunk to one.
Been searching internet and details are scant, this is what I consistently find.
The last man and woman standing each win $100,000 and, more importantly for their careers, wild card spots at three events on the elite World Surf League Championship Tour.
3 events.
Tia has had one.
That means she has 2 more remaining.
and why is jake marshall still in it when chianca missed out?
Reckon they should have a smaller competition rather than this malarkey of the mid-season cut. There's always the possibility of someone having a better back half of the season and making the finals. That to me is worth watching - a massive late charge. Think Medina won the lot a few years ago after having a terrible start!?
That said I reckon Joao is the only one I'll miss in the second half of the year. (sorry Owen/Morgan). Less one sided heats.... bit like the AFL- I just watch the finals now- saves 6 months of blah blah blah.
The success of the cut will depend on the rest of this season- how will the events play out with fewer surfers. I think its a good idea- certainly added extra interest to bells and margs ..... and for those who were upset and signed a petition, probably should have taken action a few months ago. They knowingly signed up so throwing your toys because it's not working out for personally is hilarious!
Best day of women's surfing I've watched was cut day, don't think that was a coincidence, sadly it was back to poo stance mid range scores for the final.
Maybe a few names that don't deserve to be on the cut but overall it can only make the CT more competitive.
Regarding the petition, a point that's largely been overlooked and which I think should be remembered for posterity's sake.
Despite being well below the cut line, Joao Chianca didn't sign it.
I wonder if other higher ranked Brazilians signed on his behalf?
Filipe Toledo signed.
Italo signed.
Neither of which will ever face the cut, absent injury.
There was never going to a boycott. Big daddy Ziff can turn the tap off anytime he chooses.
Does anyone know if Chianca / Owen / Moana / another surfer who competed in precut contests can gain points from wildcards for the comps still to run and qualify fopr 2023? i.e. can they push into the top 22 / 10? If so, does this affect the number of challenger series spots or the supposed safety of those who made the cut after Margs?
Thanks FR for the write ups. Stoked for Jack but agree re final scoring thoughts.
Joao Chianca is the only real loss...most of the others were making up the numbers and won't ever be world's best best. Joao Chianca could be a world champ if his form stays as he matures.
The upcoming event on the GC could be good.
Yay 150 more snakes on the coast and a closed carpark. What's not to love?
No chance now of ever seeing an improving rookie go on a late season giant killing run taking down higher ranked opponents.
Why?
Only three rookies got cut. There are six rookies still on tour, while Barron and Callum are just outside the top five.
Tough for the new blood. Bad seeds, new spots and then bang, cut time.
I've said it before but you'd be wanting to put some time in at places like Haleiwa, Sunset, Bells, etc to ensure you're sweet in big rights for the beginning of each year.
What's going to happen if Medina wins all the comps to come, makes the final and wins the 'world championship' only surfing half a year?
I don't think post cut wildcard points count towards making the final 5.
Which kind of seems nonsensical given Barron was a wildcard and is now fighting for the final 5.
Yes they do, at least in Medina's case.
They have made that clear.
He is eligible for the Top 5.
Hope he makes it to show them what a joke finals day is.
Yeah cool - I'm near certain I saw media some months back saying they wouldn't. I guess what they are saying is there is 2 categories, full-time post-cut exemption wildcards (points), and event-to-event post-cut wildcards (no points?).
Anyone bold enough to pick which Aussies/Kiwis they think will graduate from the CS this year?
Women:
Macy Callaghan
Dimity Stoyle
Sophie McCulloch
Paige Hareb
Philippa Anderson
Holly Williams
Zahli Kelly
Bronte Macaulay
Sally Fitz
India Robinson
Molly Picklum
Men:
Joel Vaughan
Kalani Ball
Kyuss King
Billy Stairmand
Te Kehukehu Butler
Jacob Willcox
Mikey McDonagh
Chris Zaffis
Sheldon Simkus
Jordy Lawler
Ryan Callinan
Morgan Cibilic
*Owen Wright
I would like to see Te Kehukehu Butler get a shot.
Sophie rips, would love to see her get on
Sally, Bronte and definitely Molly. Just watched Molly’s Gold Coast heat, she was solid, likely to knife through those comps.
Not sure of the men, RCal you’d hope but he apparently came 4th in his GC heat, so he’s out of the first comp. Jordy Lawler can surf, but a lot of these other names could be stars. I’d never heard of Chianca before this year (surely he gets through) and Mamiya, and who’d a thunk Cal Rob would do so well. Great batch of men’s rookies this year.
Just give Nathan hedge a wild card into gland Tahiti and j bay and hedge will be back on tour
Go the hog !!!
I'll have a crack at JBay if they wanna give me a wildcard !
Never been there before. It's a right innit. I'm sure I'll like it.
Can someone look after the kids for me?
i feel sorry for those that were on the wrong side of the cut- BUT - they were out-performed….can’t see anyone that is in that isn’t deserving, whereas most of the ones cut (with the exception of a few highlights) did not put anything on the table that was spectacular and lacked consistency ….they knew the deal when they started on this year’s ct and in simple terms, they need to win more heats
So what's the go with the CT now ? How many in the field , is it 22 plus 2 wildcards ?
= 24 and what ,- 8 first round heats of 3 and 3rd is knocked out , no loser round as previous ?
hmmm , thats a long trip to G land for 1 heat .
Yeah that'll be the 22 plus Gabby and the event WC. I think they should revert to the ASP format. Rd1 8 heats of three, winners jump to rd 3, 2nd and 3rd spots duel it out in rd 2 - winners join Rd1 winners followed by QFs, etc. Total of 31 heats completed in 2 days of epic, consistent 6-10ft Grajagan.
For some reason Julian Wilson is in the snapper draw? Is he a wildcard? What for, is he having another tilt?
The Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro.
https://majoreventsgc.com/events/sport/boost-mobile-gold-coast-pro-prese...
The Event features the World's Best Surfers in some of the world's best waves.
Snapper Rocks is a Location all Highly- Ranked surfers dream to compete at.
Is there an element of truth about this mixed message promo...kinda! Locals still have favs to cheer on.
Goldie crew might surprise as Owen / Kelly / Steph / Sally / JW (Above) are all former winners & can pull a crowd.
Stop & think! Should that be our Record Crowd Goldie Finals! That would blow the whole CT gig.
Goldie banners are up but the Big Top ain't so bossy this year & Qld Surfing / Govt aren't takin' the bait.
Reminding that WSL #1 Surfers Steph + Kelly are surfing the 1st Goldie CS as was always the Plan.
Wondering how goat CT surfer's [CS points] count towards making the Top 5?
Example : CT surfers can lock in 4 CS comp points or is it best 3/4 CS comp points pre Final 5 Cut Off?
A clever CT chick might dominate the CS tour to leapfrog Chopes uninjured to clean up Top 5 Play offs.
As for this teary eyed Mop up...these folk are family & deserved a send off - befitting lifelong service!
Pure recycling Scheme...where yer goat CT trophies get ground down to cast the Holy CS Goblet.
If what you say is true Trueblue,...
...very interesting indeed.
cant understand how come CT surfers are allowed to go in these events.....they have already made the cut so why?
It puzzles me too, must be so they get big names (with an angle towards local CT surfers) in the events for promotional purposes? This is straight from the rule book:
"During each Surfing Season, CT Surfers must compete in at least two (2) Challenger Series Events in different Regions, one of which must be licensed by the WSL Regional Office that controls the country of which the CT Surfer permanently resides for tax purposes. If there are no Challenger Series Events licensed by that WSL Regional Office, then a QS5000 Event from that Region or a Challenger from another Region must be competed in as a substitute. CT Surfers who have been on the CT for ten (10) years or more only need to compete in one (1) Challenger Series Event, which must be in their Region. If there are no Challenger Series Events available in their Region to compete in, the CT Surfer must compete in a QS5000 Event in their Region or a Challenger Series Event outside of their Region. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in discipline imposed in accordance with Rule 14.11. "
So I looked up Rule 14.11 -
" CT surfer who fails to comply with said rule must sit beside Joe Turpel for a minimum of 8 hours on not less than 3 consecutive days during commentary of aforementioned Event .
There is no mention of being physically attached to Turpel but I suspect this will need to be done to ensure compliance .
As an analyst, any rookie coming in, or recent entrant to CT, you need to concentrate on that first round where nobody is cut. Jacko Baker remarked that he had won all his first round heats so far this year, and good on him. At least it means you get no 32nd places, and only need another win or two to get into round of 16 or quarters. Boom, your through.
That first round is probs more important than we give it credit, even if many of us don’t like a round where no one loses.
Big fan of Jacko Baker’s efforts this year.
Challenger Series article explains some late changes leading into Goldie Comp!
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/the-challenger-series-a-look-at-professi...
I'm loving the new format. Now the feeder comps are actually interesting. SBank has been pumping and great to strim (on Kayo) while working...