In just about 24 hours, the men's and women's Bali Corona Protected will kick off at the pumping righthander of Keramas, Bali, Indonesia. And up until the eleventh hour, some changes have rocked the draws.
Keramas. - WSL
First, among the women, Courtney Conlogue is back. The Californian powerhouse -- who's also been a perennial Title contender -- injured herself before the 2018 season began, but not before heading to Australia to compete in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast. She spent some time at each stop on the Australian leg, but ultimately withdrew from Bells and Margarets, and then from the Oi Rio Women's Pro. In Bali, she'll face Carissa Moore and Silvana Lima in Round 1, Heat 5.
Her spirit animal is the tiger, and it's no surprise.
Still to be determined is the women's wildcard, which will go to the winner of the women's trials Saturday, Bali time. Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer's local picks to compete in the trials include Puanani Johnson, Kailani Johnson, Janiati Hansel and Taina Izquierdo. Hurley, an event sponsor, added Kirra Pinkerton and Carol Henrique as its international trials contenders.
Among the men, the changes are numerous and will have a potentially dramatic impact on the outcome of the contest. First, Kelly Slater has again withdrawn, citing his ongoing foot injury. Hawaii's Barron Mamiya, who surfs for Hurley, will replace his elder, arriving as a No. 35 seed. Mamiya is ranked No. 10 on the overall WSL Qualifying Series (QS) rankings. Slater, meanwhile, expects to return to full competition mode in July, at the Corona Open J-Bay.
Oney Anwar - WSL / K.Kawana
Elsewhere in the men's draw, Brasilian Caio Ibelli is still out due to injury, and Miguel Pupo, the WSL injury replacement wildcard, will be taking his spot. Pupo will go up against John John Florence and fellow Brasilian Michael Rodrigues in Bali Round 1. The remaining men's wildcard spots are going to Australian Mikey Wright and to Indonesian Oney Anwar, who's ranked No. 1 on the Asia regional QS.
At the Corona Bali Protected, Anwar will face Australians Connor O'Leary and Julian Wilson in Round 1, while Wright will go up against Brasilian Filipe Toledo and Californian Conner Coffin. Once Bali wraps, Wright is also slated to face Florence -- his media- assigned, competitive nemesis -- when the Margaret River Pro continues at Uluwatu, in early June.
Catch it all live on the WSL and Facebook, starting Sunday, May 27 local time (Saturday in the US), with a window that runs until June 9.
Corona Bali Pro: Who's In, Who's Out
Anna Dimond
In just about 24 hours, the men's and women's Bali Corona Protected will kick off at the pumping righthander of Keramas, Bali, Indonesia. And up until the eleventh hour, some changes have rocked the draws.
Keramas. - WSLFirst, among the women, Courtney Conlogue is back. The Californian powerhouse -- who's also been a perennial Title contender -- injured herself before the 2018 season began, but not before heading to Australia to compete in the Roxy Pro Gold Coast. She spent some time at each stop on the Australian leg, but ultimately withdrew from Bells and Margarets, and then from the Oi Rio Women's Pro. In Bali, she'll face Carissa Moore and Silvana Lima in Round 1, Heat 5.
Still to be determined is the women's wildcard, which will go to the winner of the women's trials Saturday, Bali time. Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer's local picks to compete in the trials include Puanani Johnson, Kailani Johnson, Janiati Hansel and Taina Izquierdo. Hurley, an event sponsor, added Kirra Pinkerton and Carol Henrique as its international trials contenders.
Among the men, the changes are numerous and will have a potentially dramatic impact on the outcome of the contest. First, Kelly Slater has again withdrawn, citing his ongoing foot injury. Hawaii's Barron Mamiya, who surfs for Hurley, will replace his elder, arriving as a No. 35 seed. Mamiya is ranked No. 10 on the overall WSL Qualifying Series (QS) rankings. Slater, meanwhile, expects to return to full competition mode in July, at the Corona Open J-Bay.
Oney Anwar - WSL / K.KawanaElsewhere in the men's draw, Brasilian Caio Ibelli is still out due to injury, and Miguel Pupo, the WSL injury replacement wildcard, will be taking his spot. Pupo will go up against John John Florence and fellow Brasilian Michael Rodrigues in Bali Round 1. The remaining men's wildcard spots are going to Australian Mikey Wright and to Indonesian Oney Anwar, who's ranked No. 1 on the Asia regional QS.
At the Corona Bali Protected, Anwar will face Australians Connor O'Leary and Julian Wilson in Round 1, while Wright will go up against Brasilian Filipe Toledo and Californian Conner Coffin. Once Bali wraps, Wright is also slated to face Florence -- his media- assigned, competitive nemesis -- when the Margaret River Pro continues at Uluwatu, in early June.
Catch it all live on the WSL and Facebook, starting Sunday, May 27 local time (Saturday in the US), with a window that runs until June 9.
Oney Anwar
Young Queenslander Marlon Harrison finds the event's only perfect 10 point ride when it mattered the most during the Final.
Former CT Competitor Hareb Gets Winning Form Back, Harrison Claims First-Ever Win with Perfect 10 Point Ride in Final
Surfers Take On Picture-Perfect Indonesian Surf and Deliver Major Performances
Wiggolly Dantas wins at Pipe, behind the scenes on Billy Kemper's Jaws mission, Oney Anwar has his eyes on the CT, and more.
First QS 10,000 of the year gets underway in South Africa
Corona Open J-Bay - Women's
With solid conditions, a Title race that's intensifying and surprise standouts, the women's event was worth the 18-year wait.
A australiana ganhou a decisão do Corona Open J-Bay depois de passar pela gaúcha Tatiana Weston-Webb na África do Sul.
Stephanie Gilmore, Lakey Peterson and Tatiana Weston-Webb dominate Finals day in South Africa.
After reclaiming the No. 1 spot on the rankings, her advice to young surfers? "Have fun, because this is a hell of a life."
Today Stephanie Gilmore won the Corona Open J-Bay for the first time in her career. The WSL desk crew breaks it down.