The World Surf League (WSL) Corona Saquarema Pro presented by Banco do Brasil the sixth and final stop on the 2024 Challenger Series completed the women's Round of 16, the men's Round of 32 and Round of 16 in moderate offshore winds with waves in the four-to-five foot range at Praia de Itaúna. The Quarterfinalists have been decided for Finals Day, including 2025 Championship Tour (CT) qualifiers, and those still in the hunt for the two remaining men's spots, and the final women's spot.
George Pittar, Marco Mignot, Joel Vaughan, Deivid Silva Qualify for the 2025 Championship Tour
The 2025 CT class earned four additional members today as George Pittar (AUS), Marco Mignot (FRA), Joel Vaughan (AUS) and Deivid Silva (BRA) clinched their qualification at Praia de Itaúna. Only two out of the ten total spots remain for CT qualification. Currently sitting in ninth and tenth positions respectively in the rankings are Edgard Groggia (BRA) and Jackson Bunch (HAW). However, they have already been eliminated in Saquarema. The pack is closing in on the top 10, including Quarterfinalists, Mateus Herdy (BRA), Levi Slawson (USA), and Kade Matson (USA).
"I don't even know how to describe it, I could barely sleep last night," said Pittar. "I got knocked out of the event here early and I also had a shocker in Portugal, but I just wanted to earn my spot so badly. In my mind I thought I blew it, but it's just so incredible. It's something that I've dreamed about since I was a kid and it just didn't seem possible. So just to make it to the top 10 with so many talented surfers was just something I couldn't fathom, so thanks to all the Aussies and my friends and family."
"It's been an amazing year, lots of hard work and dedication. On my way to school, I'd pass by the beach and would dream of being on Tour one day, and here I am," exclaimed Mignot. "There's been so much love and support, it's an amazing feeling and I'm so happy I did it in Brazil, I love Brazil. I just want to tell all the kids to believe in their dreams, but it takes a lot of hard work and love. Keep going and don't let anyone put fear or doubts in you."
"I'm so stoked, that was a really nerve-wracking heat, and I'm just so happy to have qualified," said Vaughan. "I didn't have a good start to the year, but had a good result in Ericeira. I came into this event knowing I had to surf my best, and I'm just so stoked. All the Aussies are here and ran down to the shore when I came in, and I've definitely got some good memories here at Saquarema."
"It's an incredible feeling and it hasn't really sunk in yet. It feels great to be back on Tour, especially after seeing the schedule for next year," said Silva. "I feel blessed, it's such an incredible day and it's going to be great to be together with everyone again like Miguel (Pupo), Alejo (Muniz), Filipe (Toledo), João (Chianca), they're all incredible people and I'm finally going to be able to relax, sleep better and spend some quality time with my family."
Vahine Fierro, Luana Silva and Others Battle for Final CT Qualification Spot
Vahine Fierro (FRA) kept her dream of qualifying for the CT alive by advancing in her Round of 16 heat against Francisca Veselko (POR). Fierro displayed her stylish backside surfing on the right-handers at Praia de Itaúna which included an excellent 8.33 on her best ride, and a 6.33 backup score for a heat total of 14.66, the highest of the day.
"It's a funny situation here because I want to qualify for the CT, I want to win my heat, I want to win my first Challenger Series event. There are so many goals and it just feels great to be a part of that," said Fierro. "That's what we all dream of, obviously there's a lot of pressure and stress, but we love it and that's why we do it.
Luana Silva (BRA) is still in contention at the Corona Saquarema Pro. - WSL / Thiago Diz
Luana Silva (BRA) also remains in contention for the final qualification spot on the Tour. She advanced into the quarterfinals over an in-form Erin Brooks (CAN) in Heat 8 of the Round of 16.
"I'm just so happy to be here, feeling present and in the moment," said Silva. "It's been hard these past few events where I haven't made it to Finals Day, so I'm just trying to find myself and fight to the very end and I'm really happy with what's coming up. The crowd here is amazing, I feel at home and love all the energy they provide."
Nadia Erostarbe (ESK) still holds the final qualification position on the women's rankings but has already bowed out from the competition. The Quarterfinalists Fierro, Silva, Yolanda Hopkins (POR), and Sophia Medina (BRA) can still potentially clinch the final spot.
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men's Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Alejo Muniz (BRA) 14.14 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 13.37, Dakoda Walters (AUS) 12.33, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 6.93
HEAT 2: Kade Matson (USA) 13.67 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.64, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.70, Charly Quivront (FRA) 1.90
HEAT 3: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 17.43 DEF. Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 13.23, Rafael Teixeira (BRA) 12.13, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 8.06
HEAT 4: Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.17 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 11.16, Gabriel Andre (BRA) 9.56, Lucca Mesinas (PER) 8.96
HEAT 5: Joel Vaughan (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Cauã Costa (BRA) 10.20, Nacho Gundesen (ARG) 9.80, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 9.66
HEAT 6: Winter Vincent (AUS) 15.70 DEF. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 13.34, Edgard Groggia (BRA) 11.83, Samuel Pupo (BRA) 9.43
HEAT 7: Dylan Moffat (AUS) 12.43 DEF. Rickson Falcao (BRA) 10.20, Shion Crawford (HAW) 7.10, Kauli Vaast (FRA) 5.86
HEAT 8: Marco Mignot (FRA) 15.33 DEF. Levi Slawson (USA) 11.43, Daniel Templar (BRA) 9.27, Alan Cleland (MEX) 7.33
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men's Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 12.90
HEAT 2: Kade Matson (USA) 12.90 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 12.33
HEAT 3: Mateus Herdy (BRA) 13.50 DEF. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) 13.07
HEAT 4: Deivid Silva (BRA) 11.37 DEF. Keijiro Nishi (JPN) 10.74
HEAT 5: Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.00 DEF. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 11.57
HEAT 6: Cauã Costa (BRA) 15.67 DEF. Winter Vincent (AUS) 8.00
HEAT 7: Levi Slawson (USA) 14.27 DEF. Dylan Moffat (AUS) 14.04
HEAT 8: Marco Mignot (FRA) 15.50 DEF. Rickson Falcao (BRA) 15.10
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men's Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) vs. Kade Matson (USA)
HEAT 2: Mateus Herdy (BRA) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA)
HEAT 3: Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Cauã Costa (BRA)
HEAT 4: Levi Slawson (USA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA)
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women's Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.77 DEF. Nora Liotta (HAW) 10.77
HEAT 2: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 12.33 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 9.90
HEAT 3: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 14.66 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 11.27
HEAT 4: Sophia Medina (BRA) 12.33 DEF. Ellie Harrison (AUS) 7.74
HEAT 5: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.16 DEF. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.50
HEAT 6: Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.66 DEF. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 9.50
HEAT 7: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.77 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 9.43
HEAT 8: Luana Silva (BRA) 11.66 DEF. Erin Brooks (CAN) 10.36
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women's Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR)
HEAT 2: Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA)
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)
HEAT 4: Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Luana Silva (BRA)