Margaret River Pro: Day 4
Margaret River Pro: Day 4
All the drama had drained out of the Men's Draw yesterday with the Cut business all sorted.
Not a word today about Kelly going down to the Challenger Series by the way. No Kelly in the booth to debrief or sandbag us or even provide a personal view about how it felt to lose your spot on a Tour you have owned for decades against three generations of surfing talent. His input was sorely missed. It was left to the Women to provide the heavy lifting as far as high-stakes heats went.
At issue was the destiny of two veteran campaigners who have challenged but never achieved World Titles.
Lakey had pulled her career out of a burning building yesterday with a clutch ride against Tatiana Weston-Webb whilst Sally Fitz came out in the Round of 16 this morning against teen phenom Caity Simmers.
Lakey Peterson (photo: Cait Miers)
There was a clear power differential and experience factor running in Sally's favour. Simmers looked lost at times on rides while Sally was clearly surfing for her life.
Maybe in some tiny corner of her head the Nichols doctrine was playing ('It's just a surfing contest, life goes on') but there was no sign of it in her surfing. Taken together as a whole, this year is the best I've ever seen Sally surf but the competition is greater and Sally's neo-progressive approach hasn't won favour when it counted.
Thrown back out this afternoon in bumpy surf as a pre-frontal N'ly breeze started to freshen, Sally couldn't match Caz Marks for clean power turns, even if her style was a whole lot more palatable.
Caroline Marks (photo: Aaron Hughes)
Somehow, even though Lakey lost to Carissa as Riss found a miracle tube-ride in the final minute, she stays on Tour. Sally is gone.
I make her best year 2011 - three World Tour wins and Runner-Up to Carissa Moore for the World Title and her best performances back-to-back wins at the 2014 and 2015 Fiji Pro.
At 32 years of age and literally a shed-full of sponsor endorsements Sally Fitz could easily go back to the CS and requalify for the CT. Chance of a World Title: tiny but not zero.
But for now, sayonara Sally Fitzgibbons.
Sally Fitzgibbons (photo: Cait Miers)
It's interesting to consider the effect the pandemic had on the Tour heavyweights.
As noted in the booth, Jordy Smith slipped out of the Title conversation and never re-entered it, despite a favourable schedule. Family obligations came into sharp relief during lockdowns and quarantines, forcing Julian Wilson into early retirement. Jordy has seemed to be on the same track. He's here on Tour, but he doesn't appear here in full body. Sometimes it seems like we get a half strength Jordy since the pandemic. Jordy last finalled at this event in 2021 (his last Final) - a year when John John looked unbeatable before injuring his knee on the end section. Filipe smoked him in that Final, made Jordy look like he was surfing in slow motion and ever since his huge power turns have been unfavoured.
Todays re-match had the potential to reset Jordy into the top echelon. Judges deemed it over in the opening exchange. Jordy one big-man turn and a close-out smash for a flat 6. Filipe right behind with three torqued top turns at higher speed for an 8.17. It's hard to overcome Toledo with a 2 point spread in his favour over forty minutes. Toledo constantly invited Smith back into the contest and Jordy's single turn wave almost turned it at the death. In the end though, that 2 point spread could not be overcome. Jordy needs to go back to the lab and reinvent the formula. Judges are looking for more turn speed ala JJF, Ewing and Toledo. The big turns won't be paid unless they are conducted with more velocity and aggression.
Jordy Smith (photo: Cait Miers)
Goofies produced a mixed bag today. Medina overcame Leo to finally make the Finals this year after a string of ninths. Risk was key, throwing the board up at insane angles on end sections, floating to disaster and making a wild recovery when he looked gone. He's looked insane at times this year and then completely vulnerable. Another surfer who has reinvented himself since the pandemic. In Gabe's case, dropping the bad guy schtick after a messy divorce and embracing the Nichols doctrine ('It's just a surfing contest, life goes on'). He proclaimed he was back again, finding his “rhythm in heats”.
Italo hasn't been the same since the pandemic. He went in as reigning World Champ, with his Disney babe clapping from the beach, all sweetness and light. On the other side we have the tantrums and meltdowns, the salty vibes and a chip on his shoulder that judges are low-balling him.
Maybe they are. Tastes change. Elite surfing evolves. I couldn't imagine the huge rotation air he threw into the wind on a left scoring less than a high 7 or low 8 in 2019. Today it was merely a 'good' 6.77.
Italo Ferreira (photo: Aaron Hughes)
The champagne was reserved, then cracked for Ethan Ewing's update on a 90's tail slide, done with full power and speed for an 8.07.
Italo's backhand turns looked terrible by comparison. That boxy stance might also need to go back to the lab for an update.
Connor and Yago didn't come up with much, with Connor winning almost by default, or on the strength of one turn.
R-Cal looked likewise out of sorts against Barron Mamiya, who is finally starting to show shades of the form that won him Sunset last year.
7.5 for a single turn for John John against Matty McGillvray. 9.43 for a combination of two turns. With Jack Robbo out of the mix and Italo gone, the threat from the air has been neutralised. The love affair is back after judges 'ghosted' him last year, if you'll pardon the pun.
The single turn and two turn combos are the biggest point of difference between John and Ethan. Ewing needs three to get what John can do in one. Asked (in the presser) if there were parts of Ewing's game he was keen to emulate seemed not just disrespectful to John but wilfully ignorant. The question should have been asked to Ewing and the other way around! John is the standard setter.
John John Florence (photo: Aaron Hughes)
Sometimes I have a hard time parsing the sports psycho-babble and therapy speak from Tyler Wright. Her existence is so foreign to mine and the people I know: teenage surf star, signed to a massive contract with Rip Curl before she had graduated high school, never had a real job, etc.
It's a rarefied existence. It's only through her surfing I can relate as a fan. The power turns are getting purer, and the repertoire is back. “Sticking to her process” and not getting up until 8am mean nothing to me but the big turns are undeniable. Tyler easily accounted for Johanne Defay in the offshore conditions this morning and then made Steph Gilmore look brittle in the bump this afternoon. Great chance to go back to back after Bells.
Tyler Wright (photo: Aaron Hughes)
Time to batten down the hatches. We'll resume the coverage for Finals Day on the other side of this blow.
//STEVE SHEARER
Comments
As always a delight to read, cheers mate. Great write up
I think Slaters a bit more upset about it than he's letting on.
I reckon his competitive drive is greater than his need to be the centre of attention.
Nah…I disagree…there’s nothing that exists that’s greater than his need for relevance and attention.
Whatever it was, he was rattled. Though he came across well after, he was being um... aggressively aloof..? (on ya Steve, well-nuanced Tyler bit.. I had to look up 'parsing'. Ironic?)
The sports psycho-babble and therapy speak from Tyler Wright. LOL spot on.
Could read on and on....
I hope you are writing a book Freeride.
Is the box dead? Reserved to hangers on and CT cool downs?
If ever there was an event window to showcase the battle of the skab, this was the one.
Fairness ensured a call for a battle of the rail on mainbreak. Progression is scary for competitors and viewers. How many drop to spit heats could we have handled before tuning out? We will never know. Box is dead.
No one is saying but it seems like North Point they won't go to The Box anymore. Pressure from the barrel dodgers perhaps, including the *world champ??
Sally made the cut, true?
Unless someone can correct me, Sally finished the first 5 events with more points than Lakey. After dropping their worst results, Lakey overtook Sal. Effectively Lakey benefited from her poorest showing being worse than Sally’s as she’s dropped less points. Ie dropping a 17th (1045 points) whilst Sal dropped a 9th (2610 points). Again, correct me if I’m wrong
My mistake, looking at previous heat result
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/wct?year=2023
WSL claim when Sally reached QF she made the Cut ( WA Points & Rank verify such! )
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/515115/sally-fitzgibbons-has-offic...
#13 Sally 12,575 + WA 4745 = 17,320 points #10
8<----------------------------------------------------
#15 Lakey 12,350 + WA 4745 = 17,095 points #11
#12 Brisa 13,145 + WA 2,610 = 15,755 points #12
#10 Isabella 13,915 + WA 1,045 = 14,960 points #13
#10 Macy 13,915 + WA 1,045 = 14,960 points #13
Unless WSL ended Sally's 1yr wild card @ the (Cut) Passing it to Johanne Defay?
This in turn bumps #10 Sally by default. (Will we see Wildcard Johanne on back half!)
You know...to Auto Qualify Johanne for WSL 2024 Le Olympic Year Tour!
Perth News claims Sally is Out...How do they Know?
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/surfing/final-eight-to-be-decided-at-m...
Thanks Steve.
I wondered if I’m not the only one who feels that Carissa is getting good end of the pineapple from the judges?
To me her surfing has seemed (for past year or more) quite horizontal and at times a little slow. Almost in the Jordy vain. Although she may have won against Sophie and Lakey her juiced scores really put unfair pressure on her opponents who often times seem to be getting the better of the heat.
+1.
Carissa is one of my favourites to watch, and I think still the best surfer on the women's side of the draw, but I agree with this comment.
thought Jordy was underscored on that last two turn wave, he absolutely ripped it and overpowered the wave especially on that last carve on the close out. i reckon Jordy's size and flow masks his speed. and/or the judges are more bored of him than he is of the tour.
as much as i like seeing Italo get booted from any comp his air was so skillful, functional and looked awesome. full tilt launch covering AREA...landing with speed and off to the next move. functional airs landing back on a wave face should pull a big score i reckon.. bin the close out airs.
thanks, another great article. love the gritty comp talk, less so the personal & marital status gossip.
Agree on all points, Nick.
Punished for his post heat slam of the tub and Fil?
I really like the Tyler Wright interviews. I think she sounds really authentic. Lots of time in therapy perhaps to get that
emotional language?
See, I find that Tyler sound totally non-authentic; like she reading from a self help book or quoting her therapist. And it almost makes me look for a rubbish bin to vomit in.
Maybe it's time for her to be a normal grown-up person, not a full-time victim. She has obviously sorted out what was fcuking with her surfing, so maybe she's heading in the right direction.
I like it when pro surfers genuinely seem to love surfing and be stoked to head out to surf good waves.
I can see that being hard to sustain under the pressure of the tour and when faced with Supertubos closeouts.
But I also think that those who look at a good lineup in competition like clean Main Break and can't wait to rip up some empty waves do better than those who overthink, over analyse and want to influence to some agenda.
Lots of time in the Cali what she expounds is straight out of Phsyco school. It seems to be working so keep at it however I can't relate she seems like an alien to me. Could be he upbringing and talent that gave her a somewhat different take on life - more Cali than OZ.
Nice write up Steve. Jordy just had to do the most basic of close out hits on that last wave and he would've beat Phil.
A beautiful and respectful reflection on 'our Sally' FR.
Thankyou for that. Really enjoyed reading it.
I've been an astute observer of pro surfing for over 30 years.
Sally has been my favourite Aussie on tour this year, (in both mens and womens) daylight second. She has a contagious energy that can seriously make the world a better place...and she charges, and has upped her game in the last couple of years. It was there last year, just nobody noticed and she had some close losses that could have gone either way.
She's an icon and a huge inspiration. Love ya Sal!
Back to the contest.
Lets go Bronte!!! All the way for WA!!
On another subject, anyone notice the alcohol advertising on the girl's hat?
btw Jordy destroyed Flip. It wasn't even a contest.
He broke big waves in half,..maybe the speed he did it with decieved the audience because of the size of the wave and the time it took to nail his turns...
while Flip whippeted about and flexed when the wave didn't flex back, never above 5 or 6 foot max,....as usual. He's got the judges in a trance. Great small wave surfer but still can't match power with power.
Smith went for k.o moves on k.o sections...possibly as good as i've seen as far as power to wave ratio goes.
Jordy for mine by an easy 2points over fluid flicky flip.
Yeh, I find it weird how the judges have come around to Ethan Ewing (deservedly so) but gone off Jordy.
There is a hint of the "slows" in Jordy's surfing - same with Slater. In contrast, a heap of the younger guys are just going so fast and clean - Ethan of course but Liam O'Brien when he beat Kelly was a clear contrast in his youth and energy.
Fast has impact - can remember Taj at Snapper one year just being in another league for speed and really standing out.
Filipe at 5.13 in the heat replay does an amazing power carve - matching Jordy's. He's got the power as well.
With his Disney babe clapping on the beach.. perfect description had a great laugh at that line ..
Jordy ripped off again. So tired of watching wiggling beat real surfing.
+ 1
It's been a great comp, and the WSL are making good edits/good timing on relating the content and breaking down the moves with the surfer who made them (eg LOB interview). Love the board breakdowns. Even Elo passed on to commentary when a surfer was riding. So good on them, and yes, we are viewing!
Steve's write up accentuates the personal dramas and puts a different slant on what might be going on, and that's valuable.
Would like to see more debate on Italo's air on the left - it was functional and led to further turns/was part of riding the wave fully?
When I watch a few comps in a row I find I want to surf like them, but remind myself I surf like me.
The banter in the threads is worth the price of admission too ;) Swellnet on the ground reporter would be fun.
never seen anyone do what Italo did on the margies left, maybe it went against the judging criteria but when you compare it to carissa's 9.5... kind of baffling
That air was criminally underscored and the judges should be sacked.
Yeah was thinking 9 plus, then came out at a 6. Hate the general brazzo whinging about judges but that was bizarre
I was thinking high 7s low 8s when I watched it. The air was excellent, the second turn basically a fade but it was linked. Pretty smart going left and using the air wind as well.
Disagree. Context is everything. That was and 8-9 at Rio. 6.77 at Margs spot on judging
pretty sure robbo got an excellent score for a single air 360 last year, some consistency wouldn't hurt
Different days, different scale mate
you must know something we don't then? first I've heard of any different scaling, enlighten us
Sorry matey, you’re obviously new to watching CT comps. Referencing a score from a different year let alone a different day is moot. Literally every heat the scale changes. Pretty sure everyone else here knows this
yeah I don't care too much about competition in surfing, only really watch it when it comes to WA out of interest, maybe the lack of transparancy in the judging is why comp surfing never really made it to the mainstream, it clearly confused a lot of people on the live stream and even in this thread
I’ll probably get expatriated for this and banned from swellnet but I find Ewing’s surfing over rated as it is too technically perfect and personally a bit boring to watch. I view him as an overcoached Fanning 2.0 who surfs exactly to the criteria and even postures his arms through turns very similarly to Fanning. Am I the only one who thinks this?
I’ve been really preferring the dynamic flair of LOB and first time I’ve really taken notice of him, great style, scintillating fin wafts and a deadly fro. What’s not too like, shame to see him bow out of comp especially to an over claiming Septic golden boy.
Also although it was a smaller wave Italo’s Mack 10 full speed air reverse to cleanest of landings was mental and underappreciated by the judges in my opinion.
I said similar in the live chat regarding both LOB and EE.
Not quite as critical on EE but haha
Agreed and LOB still only developing, both on tour and physically. Give him another year or two or experience and he'll be insane i reckon. Already is.
Yes you are expatriated and banned. I am am in awe of his surfing and I don't think he has been over coached it seems to be just him. LOB really dynamic and clearly a step up from Slater and Italo's air insane.
Excluding JJF, LOB was the most dynamic surfer of the event. He got underscored big time on every wave.
Whilst Italo went far. I think he'd lacked the height to get a too high a score.
Then, Carrissa, whilst beautifully barrelled didn't come out clean enough to get much above a 9.
Still, a great air,and a great barrel within a very interesting day of competition.
My 2 cents.
Carrissa was an overscore by a point and a half...nice wave though and im glad Lakey made the cut......Jordy under scored and love those big power hacks, no one else comes close to his power but Phil surfs good no doubt about it scores should have been closer and Sally surfs good in clean waves a bit like Steph but was out surfed by Caroline....and by the way check out the commitment cuts on Sallys arm in the top photo..... probably from the end section. Marriage seems to suit Tyler and im glad shes dropped that dropped wallet turn fuck it was boring and she sounds more upbeat and less depressing.
The contest has been great so far and the WSL must be praying that they can finish it on a high after the run of very ordinary and forgettable events this year.
Sally? World title contender?
She fell of tour two years in a row?
Wake up
Felicity Palmeteer is great commentator. Eloquent & knowledgeable. Streets ahead of Laura Enever. Richie Lovett is also good change.
Yeah she was great
Totally agree re: Felicity and Richie (though I think Laura's pretty good too). Hope to see more of 'em at future events.
WSL Rankings
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/athletes/tour/wct?year=2023
#13 Sally 12,575 + WA QF 4,745 = 17,320 #10
WSL : "[ MADE THE CUT ] Sally Fitzgibbons "
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/515115/sally-fitzgibbons-has-offic...
8<-------------------------------------------------
#15 Lakey 12,350 + WA QF 4,745 = 17,095 #11
WSL : "[ MADE THE CUT ] Lakey Peterson"
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/515155/lakey-peterson-has-official...
Why does WSL Comp Vidz Billboard both Women making the Cut?
Why do WA Newspapers claim Sally is out if WSL claim she made the Cut?
News also claim Sally had to make the SF to Qualify...(Why? No surfer beneath her did!)
(WSL has never said such & already stamped her Top 10 at QF)
https://thewest.com.au/sport/surfing/final-eight-to-be-decided-at-margar...
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/surfing/final-eight-to-be-decided-at-m...
Why does this SNN Cut List > advance lower ranked Lakey ahead of Sally?
Sally overtook Lakey in Portugal & Lakey hasn't bettered Sally on Oz Leg...Wot gives?
https://www.surfnewsnetwork.com/finals-day-set-at-western-australia-marg...
Did Sally cop a points Violation that pegged her back Level #10 Losing on a countback?
Perhaps ...gnawing on her Apple or failing to wave, claim or smile enough?
(Violation?) Even points Countback would advance Lakey on highest Comp finish points!
Recapping (above) WSL have already Crowned Sally + Lower ranked Lakey Top 10.
Media say highest ranked Sally is out & Lower ranked Lakey is in...how is this possible?
So Sally made the cut?
"Why does WSL Comp Vidz Billboard both Women making the Cut?"
"These go to 11."
The WSL leaderboard isn’t adjusted for their worst result. You need to subtract that from the total. Sal drops 2610 points whilst Lakey only drops 1045 points. So stupidly in this instance, Lakey is getting rewarded for her worst result - being worse than Sally’s. The easiest way for Sally to have made the cut would have been to swap out one of her 9th places for a 17th (knocked out in elimination round) or simply not turn up to an event. Likewise, if Lakey advanced out of the elimination round in Portugal - she wouldn’t have made the cut. It seems a ridiculous rule and should be changed, or the WSL could run an adjusted leaderboard on their website (accounting for their worst result). Can’t think of another sport that does that!
Wow that's actually nuts!
Can't believe that by having a shitter result can put you above someone with a less shitter result in a tiebreak kinda situation.
Nice sleuthin Hamishnic.
Didn't realise that's how it worked.
Cheers.
It doesn't work like that.
That's not right.
They both drop a result, so Lakey has a higher score for best 4 events (3rd, 5th, 2x9ths vs 2x5ths, 2x9ths).
Sally isn't penalised for having a better 5th result, it's just that it doesn't count.
You’ve got that half right Hamish. If lakey had scored higher in her worse event she wouldn’t have been kicked off.
I write that in context of total points in the leaderboard and it’s misrepresentation as pointed out by TBB, then secondly my disagreement with dropping an event given they only surf five before the cut. Sal and Lakey go into Sunday (with Sal ahead on points accumulated across all events for the year), and after falling out in the same round - the adjusted leaderboard puts Lakey ahead.
Some are skipping between turns, the winners are driving through...
The microphone in front of Tyler Wright... never a good look.
Notice nobody really taking about the cut in these comments.
Proves to me that the 'drama' of the cut is really not that dramatic. It's actually kinda boring and sad. I find the drama of the CS with people fighting to MAKE IT onto the tour way more exciting.
Personally, I've never liked Sally's style, the way she sticks her bum out and pivots at the waist like her body is two separate halves. Also the lack of power in her turns, just fiddling around and not pushing or driving through turns. Highly overrated Imho.
Pickles is the future.
Great write up as usual....
Looking forward to JJ and EE heat!
Carissa's 9.6 was the biggest over score of a wave i have EVER seen. i get that it was a clutch moment, but c'mon a small inside wave. it should have been a 6.5 MAX
another great write. pity they dont hold it at the box. unless its 10ft+ with jjf, margs is such a yawn.
50 heats at the box would probably get pretty stale too don’t you think?
What a complete joke the WSL is. The midway cut is a FARCE. How a woman IN ANY SPORT ranked ELEVENTH in the world can be eliminated 1/2 way through the year is borderline criminal. Not a chance in hell it would happen in tennis, golf.
And in a patronising woke feel good facade that pro surfing is, why aren't the MEN from 11th onwards cut? #sexismwsl
Lakey said something to this effect in 1 of her post heat interviews, there was definitely an "only 10" muttered.
Carrisa's wave was a bit over scored but as a bit of a purist I reckon a barrel ride is the ultimate thing any surfer can do and should be scored accordingly, especially on a day when they are so rare. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw it. Also, I thought Kelly's figure eight roundhouse carve was way under valued.
Agree that roundhouse into an upside down backhand rio is 3 moves in one and was insane not to mention his gravity defying vertical foam climb the day before.
That should have been scored so much higher as it was a high risk move as he could have chosen to climb the green face instead he went for the whitewater. Very unique move and should have been judged 2 points higher.
Its sad that moves become unfashionable like floaters and upside down RH cuties,
Now its blow fins and down carves.
Sure you must have legs of steel to hold a down carve but your working with gravity not against it Kelly's foam climb was against gravity
Judge variety for gods sake.
At Pipe and Chopes you get scored for barrels. No carve/hack/air will earn you a 9.
Vice versa with Main Break, I'd have thought.
I'm of the other mindset. To sniff out such a nice barrel at such a crucial moment, at a wave that's not known at all for barrels, should be duly rewarded!
The context. Lakey working her butt off doing everything right gets pipped by pure arse.
When it counted.
Riss is on the receiving end of something random, almost occult. The universe gifts a barrel where none should have been.
Its so weird Lakey must be thinking its destiny. Walk under ladders.
I wonder if the SurfGods caught 5 minutes of one of her 'vlogs' and just said...Nup.
I’m not an expert but I think DHD should be giving Steph boards with V or rounded V in solid condition, I’d bet it was single to double concave, not helping a light surfer cut through the chop and maintain control, a bit of extra glass wouldn’t hurt either.
Probably completely wrong, but I’ve been thinking it for a while, same for a few of the other surfers.
Steph always seems to struggle with a bit of texture on the face. I wonder if it’s the higher centre of gravity? She’s pretty upright when compared with many of her peers. Probably why she looks so stylish
Nobody sad to see Kelly finally out of the CT?
I know he'll be able to book his own wildcard whenever he wants - so he should.
51 and doing just stupid bottom turns and past "nooners" . Even though he's a seppo I'll always love him!
What a career - now over! Probably over a while back but certainly over now - right?
" Meh, oxygen thief "
Sally seemed to cop alot of shit for receiving a season wild card. I'd think if Kelly continued on same wild card his reputation could be tarnished.
I'd like to see Kelly be the oldest competitor to get cut and make it back into the CT via the CS. That be a record for a while.
'Go on Ke12y, little old me dares you.'
Eleven time world champ slightly more worthy of a wildcard than zero time world champ
Here's the bun fight over WSL promoting both Sally & Lakey above the Cut line,
Others ask how Sally finished ahead of Lakey on Rankings Points but Lakey Goes thru...
https://www.facebook.com/WSL/
Here's the Lucky Dip wash up on the recent WSL fuck up.
* WSL : Sally made the Cut by reaching the QF.
* WSL : Sally is Under The Cut.
* WSL : Like to think Sally is Surfin' Snapper!
* msm : Sally had to Finish in SF to Qualify.
* Most QF appearances goes thru...
* One lowest result is dropped from each Surfer!
* Best 4/5 Comps Count.
WSL had already celebrated higher ranked Top 10 surfer Sally making the Cut.
WSL Rules bumped Top 10 Sally to reward a shittier surfer her hard earned Spot.
Sally...2,610 / *2,610 / 4,745 / 2,610 / 4,745 = (#10) 17,320 - *2,610 = 14,710 (#11)
Lakey 6,085 / 2,610 / *1,045 / 2,610 / 4,745 = (#11) 17,095 - *1,045 = 16,050 (#10)
This knockout Shittiest Event rule only applies if & once All 5 comps are Surfed..
Meaning the fictitious Cut line is ever a fraudulent guide right up until the Cut.
Line never represents Cut outcome until final knockout, resulting in WSL being fooled.
Outcome of shitty Rule!
WSL prematurely announced better ranked higher points Sally to progress.
Never realizing that Lakey had surfed so pathetically in her worst outing to Topple Sally!
This leads to fans booing the Cut Formula as being dodgy...coz it rewards Shittiest surfing!
Grom Lesson: Be sure to surf extra shitty in yer dud round or you'll be cut...well durr!
Higher ranked better Competitor eats noodles > Shittiest Kook sips from the Cup.
Typical Elo Fuck Up... to invite Sally to sip from the Cup then kick her away like a dog!
Fans are furious!
WSL take great pleasure in rewarding the poorest surfing to progress to Final series.
So the moral of the story is if you are going to stuff up, stuff up epically.
You've got it a bit off.
Your best 4 results count, so when there's only been 4 events, all count. You only drop a result once you've surfed more than 4. The rankings pre-Margies presume an equal worst result, because you can't presume a better result.
This actually rewards the better surfing, not the shittier surfing. Lakey got a 3rd at Pipe, a better result than anything Sally got for the year. Further, the difference between getting a semi instead of a quarter is much greater than scraping through an opening or elimination round to make the round of 16 vs a 17th.
Ahh ok. Cheers Stamos!
I'm glad someones got their head wrapped around it. ;-)
Might take me a week or so to understand the maths but will maybe get back to you with some questions!
This throwaway result seems very confusing.
Do you reckon the Woz would be better off ditching it and allowing a better read for the fans on how the points are stacking up during the actual events?
I think being able to drop a result is fairer, allowing for an injury, or getting skunked in a certain comp, and rewarding the higher results.
The WSL could easily have a live ranking, that changes as they go through the rounds, or update the rankings as surfers are eliminated. Or have a 2nd bracketed ranking showing what they would be dropping a result. It seems a bit silly listing Nichols and Callaghan as 'Above the Cut Line' when they needed to get a 5th to improve their points, when Hennesy would overtake them with a 9th.
Yeah the potential for having an injury in and missing 1 event makes sense.
There's pros and cons i guess but it seems that having a throwaway result goes against the cutthroat nature of the cut after only 5 events.
Cheers for the explanations. Definitely helps! (something the woz fail miserably at)
I think this cut thing is tarnishing Margies with a dirty brush.
“Ewing needs three to get what John can do in one. Asked (in the presser) if there were parts of Ewing's game he was keen to emulate seemed not just disrespectful to John but wilfully ignorant.”
First part, just no. EE and JJF are doing turns that nobody else can do, there is a struck match between them.
Second part, again no. A few people commented on that at the time. I seemed to miss it. Was watching it again today and the question wasn’t and didn’t have the import that a few people assumed was in it. Go back and listen to JJFs response, he got it and acknowledged it.
Otherwise a great write up again Steve. The fact that I disagreed with anything doesn’t detract from that.
Carissa & Sally are more likely to get run over by tanks than Command them.
Brazzos > Joao / Medina & maybe even Toledo / Italo still can't fire off their Tanks.
Something about not having English speaking Lawyers to decode Elo's Tank Manual.
War was won & lost once ELO cut himself adrift after twice meeting his measure!
Elo's Tank Tour are firing off blanks...be alert not alarmed!
Thanks for the great insights Steve
Fashion flavours the sold...
Some solid tube times
Reference below appears to be only randomly relevant to WSL "judges" ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_favours_the_bold
Music by some pro's
Guitar synthesizers ... from 40 years ago....
And just like that - Kelly gets a 2023/2024 wildcard