The Los Cabos Open of Surf was limited to these Zippers beauties in today's action, but it made no difference to some of the world's best. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
The difference in experience between the top-tier Championship Tour (CT) and Qualifying Series (QS) can be a steep learning curve. Such was the case today at the Los Cabos Open of Surf QS6,000 with CT women in attendance showcasing their talents over the field of QS threats. An all-important 6,000 points is on the line for a few surfers who need to back themselves up on the QS and get a big jump here in Cabo.
Silvana Lima - WSL / Andrew Nichols
One of those surfers is Silvana Lima, who earned herself yet another Quarterfinal appearance at the Los Cabos Open of Surf -- making it her fourth year in a row. Her fast-paced, aggressive surfing is a perfect fit for the Zippers wave and she showed that to earn an excellent 8.33. The 34-year-old Brazilian continued that form and clinched back-to-back Semifinals, setting herself up for consecutive big results in Los Cabos.
"I'm feeling very comfortable here and the waves are still fun, I just love it here," Lima said. "I love surfing this wave and I just want to keep going heat by heat to get a good result. I'm so stoked to make it back to the Semifinals and feel really good on my board, this is amazing to keep pushing on."
Sage Erickson - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Another big performance from Sage Erickson lit up the scoreboard with an excellent 8.00 and earned her spot into the Quarterfinals, and replicated that in the Semifinals against event standout Tatiana Weston-Webb. This is a special event for the Ventura, California, native who gets to share it with her family and friends while keeping the competitive jersey on.
"I really like coming to QS contests, I get more practice, points, and Cabo is a place where my dad comes so we just have a great time every year," Erickson said. "He's always so passionate and keeps things refreshed so each heat win is always so inspiring and exciting with him. I think making memories down here together is what we really look forward to."
"That heat against Tati was always going to be tough, she doesn't fall much and she's a super strong competitor," Erickson added. "To get past her is a big hurdle and I got fourth in my first heat last year so this is a big improvement from that."
Bronte Macaulay - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Dominic Barona earned runner-up in Los Cabos last year and was back in form once more -- taking down Coco Ho with a clutch 8.17 in the dying minutes. The Ecuadorian had to put it all in the water once again when a rematch of last year's Final awaited her in the Semis against Bronte Macaulay. But, it was Macaulay who came out on top once again with a dominant performance and an 8.33 to solidify her win and Semifinal spot.
"I love Dominic [Barona], she's always in high spirits and has a great crew around her, and she's obviously a very good surfer," Macaulay said. "It was a pretty slow heat so that was scary because I knew she could get an 8.00 on any wave. But, my dad helps keeps things quite simple and just where to be in the lineup. It's great to have him with me and coaching me every step of the way."
Keely Andrew - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Sunshine Coast native Keely Andrew punched her ticket to the Semifinals after taking care of an in-form Caroline Marks for their Quarterfinal bout.
"Caroline [Marks] has probably been the standout all event and after watching her last Pro Junior heat I knew we were going to be in for a good one," Andrew said. "That was probably one of the most nervous half-hours I've had in a while so I'm grateful to get through that one and collect a few points. We don't get a lot of down time and the day at home between here and Fiji was probably one of the best-ever, but I've got my mom here and we always have the best time -- it's amazing here so I'm glad to move on to finals day."
Recap of more brilliant performances from the women's Pro Junior.
Recap of incredible men's Pro Junior action.
Tomorrow's 7:30 a.m. MDT call will determine a possible 8:00 a.m. MDT start for the final day of competition.
CT Women Take Control in Cabo
Andrew Nichols
The difference in experience between the top-tier Championship Tour (CT) and Qualifying Series (QS) can be a steep learning curve. Such was the case today at the Los Cabos Open of Surf QS6,000 with CT women in attendance showcasing their talents over the field of QS threats. An all-important 6,000 points is on the line for a few surfers who need to back themselves up on the QS and get a big jump here in Cabo.
One of those surfers is Silvana Lima, who earned herself yet another Quarterfinal appearance at the Los Cabos Open of Surf -- making it her fourth year in a row. Her fast-paced, aggressive surfing is a perfect fit for the Zippers wave and she showed that to earn an excellent 8.33. The 34-year-old Brazilian continued that form and clinched back-to-back Semifinals, setting herself up for consecutive big results in Los Cabos.
"I'm feeling very comfortable here and the waves are still fun, I just love it here," Lima said. "I love surfing this wave and I just want to keep going heat by heat to get a good result. I'm so stoked to make it back to the Semifinals and feel really good on my board, this is amazing to keep pushing on."
Another big performance from Sage Erickson lit up the scoreboard with an excellent 8.00 and earned her spot into the Quarterfinals, and replicated that in the Semifinals against event standout Tatiana Weston-Webb. This is a special event for the Ventura, California, native who gets to share it with her family and friends while keeping the competitive jersey on.
"I really like coming to QS contests, I get more practice, points, and Cabo is a place where my dad comes so we just have a great time every year," Erickson said. "He's always so passionate and keeps things refreshed so each heat win is always so inspiring and exciting with him. I think making memories down here together is what we really look forward to."
"That heat against Tati was always going to be tough, she doesn't fall much and she's a super strong competitor," Erickson added. "To get past her is a big hurdle and I got fourth in my first heat last year so this is a big improvement from that."
Dominic Barona earned runner-up in Los Cabos last year and was back in form once more -- taking down Coco Ho with a clutch 8.17 in the dying minutes. The Ecuadorian had to put it all in the water once again when a rematch of last year's Final awaited her in the Semis against Bronte Macaulay. But, it was Macaulay who came out on top once again with a dominant performance and an 8.33 to solidify her win and Semifinal spot.
"I love Dominic [Barona], she's always in high spirits and has a great crew around her, and she's obviously a very good surfer," Macaulay said. "It was a pretty slow heat so that was scary because I knew she could get an 8.00 on any wave. But, my dad helps keeps things quite simple and just where to be in the lineup. It's great to have him with me and coaching me every step of the way."
Sunshine Coast native Keely Andrew punched her ticket to the Semifinals after taking care of an in-form Caroline Marks for their Quarterfinal bout.
"Caroline [Marks] has probably been the standout all event and after watching her last Pro Junior heat I knew we were going to be in for a good one," Andrew said. "That was probably one of the most nervous half-hours I've had in a while so I'm grateful to get through that one and collect a few points. We don't get a lot of down time and the day at home between here and Fiji was probably one of the best-ever, but I've got my mom here and we always have the best time -- it's amazing here so I'm glad to move on to finals day."
Recap of more brilliant performances from the women's Pro Junior.
Recap of incredible men's Pro Junior action.
Tomorrow's 7:30 a.m. MDT call will determine a possible 8:00 a.m. MDT start for the final day of competition.
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