Latest news with #WSLChampionshipTour
The South African
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
World no. 1 Jordy Smith powers to VICTORY in Australia
World no. 1 Jordy Smith showed all the class and experience of 18-years on the Championship Tour to secure his second event victory in 2025. The prize on finals day in Margaret River, Western Australia, would be immense if world no. 1 Jordy Smith could hit his marks early … Solidifying no. 1 in the world, and a brand-new GWM Tank SUV for securing the 'Aussie Treble.' First, the 37-year-old Durbanite had to dispatch Crosby Colapinto in his semi-final heat. Something he did with astute surfing in dropping swell on Australia's west coast. Rather than wait for inconsistent set waves disrupted by strong off-shore winds, world no. 1 Jordy Smith set to work on the inside. He caught multiple waves to build up a winning heat total, while his competitor sat rooted out the back, only surfing one scoring wave. Smith sets to work on a larger set wave at Margaret River, Western Australia in the final against Griffin Colapinto. Image: World Surf League Then it was onto the final with another San Clemente phenom, Griffin Colapinto. Arguably the form surfer of the competition – scoring a perfect 10 in the quarterfinals – Colapinto would be no pushover in a man-on-man heat. However, world no. 1 Jordy Smith clicked into high gear and dominated the exchanges (watch the highlights below). There is no denying that world no. 1 Jordy Smith is surfing the best he ever has in his long career. He is able to combine shrewd heat IQ with his signature power surfing that always looks controlled and elegant, no matter the conditions. Video: World Surf League on YouTube Victory for world no. 1 Jordy Smith cements his position atop the WSL Championship Tour rankings. He currently sits on 36 130 points, with the next best surfer, Brazil's Italo Ferreira, on 31 290. Rather shrewdly, Smith opted not to surf in the leader's yellow jersey today. But he almost certainly will wear it in Lower Trestles, California, next month. The rest of the 2025 WSL Championship Tour sees four stops that will suit the powerful surfing of world no. 1 Jordy Smith. The top five competitors on the ranking will battle it out in Fiji for the world title. The remaining stops are: June 9-17 – Trestles Pro (USA) June 21-29 – Vivo Rio Pro (Brazil) July 11-20 – J-Bay Open (SA) August 7-16 – Tahiti Pro (Tahiti) August 27-September 4 – WSL Finals Fiji (Fiji) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
West Australian
25-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Margaret River Pro: Bronte Macaulay, Sally Fitzgibbons, Molly Picklum, Isabella Nichols, Tyler Wright in mix
Australia's top men's hopefuls were wiped out in the carnage of the elimination rounds last week, but as the Margaret River Pro prepares to ramp up again on Monday, there are still five Aussies alive on the women's side of the draw. The West Australian takes a look at how they can take home the title. Two weeks ago, Macauley was focusing on developing the next generation, having decided to retire from the sport in October last year after failing to qualify for the 2025 WSL Championship Tour, and launched a coaching business. But there's nothing like your home surf to reignite the passion, with the 32-year-old granted a shock wildcard entry, and has so far suggested her retirement may have been premature. In what will likely be her final Margaret River Pro, the fairytale is on, after using her local knowledge to top her opening heat with a final 6.30 wave in the dying minutes to beat reigning world champion Caitlin Simmers. Her path to the final does not get any easier, however, as she prepares to face the American 2023 WSL champion and Paris Gold medalist, Caroline Marks, in the round of 16, who breezed through her heat. However, Macaulay is no stranger to knockout pressure, having made it to three consecutive semifinals from 2021-2023, often coming in as the underdog though she has never won on the championship tour. But Macualay also has nothing to lose, describing every wave she gets a 'bonus,' having all but given up competitive surfing. If she can survive the round of 16, there's the potential for an All-Aussie quarterfinal against Molly Picklum before a rematch with Simmers, whom she's already beaten. Macaulay is coming from a long way back, but the path is there for her to write one of the sports great stories. Sally Fitzgibbons has one of the most impressive resumes in the World Surf League with 12 Championship Tour event wins to her name and a three-time Tour runner-up amongst a litany of other accolades. But her last Tour win was in 2021, with these past years a battle for survival, being cut in the past two seasons. She sits on the precipice of being cut again, having only just returned to the tour, in a three-way battle with Lakey Peterson of the USA and Brisa Hennessy of Costa Rica to stay inside the top 14. Fitzgibbons will need a deep run and probably to win the Pro for the first time since 2017 if she is to remain alive in this year's World Surf League championship tour. She's already survived one scare, having to go through the elimination round, edging out fellow Aussie Willow Hardy to remain alive, an experience which left the 36-year-old in tears. 'I just want to keep fighting and trying my best. It's the whole scenario of riding the highs and lows of it,' she said. She now faces defending Margaret River Champion and championship leader Gabriela Bryan from Hawaii, and the wait to re-enter the water will have done little for Fitzgibbons' nerves, which are living and dying on every wave. There are no easy match-ups for Fitzgibbons these days, but a gold medal at last year's World Surfing Games and runner-up on the Gold Coast last event shows there is still talent to match it with the world's best. She'll need it if she is to rage against the dying of the light but don't there's no doubt she won't leave everything out in the surf. Australia's highest-ranked female surfer, Picklum, breezed through the opening heat despite being narrowly edged out for first place by Sawyer Lindbald and now faces Bella Kenworthy in the round of 16, who's fighting to stay above the midseason cut line. Picklum is the only competitor inside the top seven not to win an event this season, but has been on the podium in four out of the six completed events, speaking to her consistency. At just 22 and only in her fourth year on the tour, Picklum is still relatively young, but being in the final five the last two years shows how close to the top she is. The key to taking the final is to get that breakthrough win and add to her two Sunset Beach titles. Picklum is rightly the heavy favourite heading into her clash with Kenworthy, with either Marks or the aforementioned Macaulay to follow. Reigning World Surf League champion Caitlin Simmers will likely then be waiting in the semifinals. It's a tough draw, but one in which Picklum has the opportunity to shake off her nearly-women tag and take the Wold No.1 ranking heading into the final events. Despite an inaugural win in Margaret River in 2022, this season has arguably been the breakout year for the 27-year-old Queenslander who hails from the Sunshine Coast. Cut in the past two seasons, Nichols has had to fight her way back onto the tour and this time is determined to make it count. Currently ranked fourth in the world, Nichols took just her second tour win at Bells Beach earlier this year while she's finished in the top five in four out of six events. The Bells victory was sweet redemption for a heartbreaking defeat to Hawaiian gun Gabriela Bryan in El Salvador, Nichols having agonisingly given up the chance to be at her twin sister's wedding. The 27-year-old will be hoping it's redemption in Margaret River as well after she nearly quit the sport last year, cut from the tour in a sudden death three-woman Elimination Round. She now faces french woman Vahine Fierro in the round of 16.
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Is it worth heading to Margs to watch the pro surfers?
Once a year the world's best surfers descend on Margaret River to battle it out for the prestigious WSL Championship Tour title, but is it worth watching it in person? The competition period is 17-28 May and every contest day is free to attend with hundreds of people gathering on the hill above Surfers Point to view the lineup. The entire car park at Surfers Point is filled with food trucks, music and expert commentary, a bar overlooking the surf, merchandise stores and huge screens which relay the scores and close ups of the action. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. After the surfers have completed their heats, they make their way along the barriers to sign autographs and take pictures with fans, so there's also the chance to get up close and personal with your favourite surfers. Perth band Pretty Uglys playing on the stage where the winners will be crowned. Credit: Stone and Wood / Instagram After the completion of finals day, when the men's and women's Margaret River Pro champions are chaired up the beach and crowned in the awards ceremony, there is likely to be speeches, interviews and live music. This is followed by a celebratory night of partying from the pro surfers and fans in Margaret River. The competition is already underway with the opening rounds completed earlier this week and it's ramping up to be an exciting finals day, which is likely to take place over the next few days. Every morning, usually around 7.15am, the WSL Commissioner decides whether to run the contest based on conditions; this ensures that surfers compete on the best possible waves. The quickest way to find out if the Margaret River Pro is 'On', 'Off', or 'On Hold' is to check on the WSL website or via their Instagram. If you're considering heading down to watch, it's worth noting that no dogs are allowed at the event, and while there are lots of food and drink options, there's little seating and nearly no shelter. So, with a wet and windy forecast for the next few days, it's worth bringing warm waterproof clothing and a camping chair. Last year's winner on the women's side, Gabriella Bryan, surfing in the final, sharing the waves with dolphins. Credit: WSL / Instagram / Instagram As the car park is fully occupied with the event infrastructure, no parking is available at Surfers Point, but you can park close by at McLeods Paddock or Wallcliffe Road opposite the Margaret River Golf Course. On the weekends of the event, the shuttle bus will run on a continuous loop from Surfers Point to McLeods parking area. After a heartbreaking early exit from the competition from WA local Jack Robinson, the men to watch as finals day approaches are WA wildcard Jacob Wilcox and South African veteran Jordy Smith. On the women's side, Gabriella Bryan will be trying to go back to back and repeat her win from last year and Aussie surfer Molly Picklum will be trying to get her first event win of the year. The Margaret River Pro is a high stakes event, with only the top 10 women and top 22 men progressing for the rest of the year so competition between the surfers will be fierce in the final days.
West Australian
23-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Margaret River's Jack Robinson looking to bounce back to form in Australian leg of WSL Championship Tour
Margaret River's Jack Robinson looking to bounce back to form in Australian leg of WSL Championship Tour
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Corona Cero Becomes the Official Global Beer Sponsor of the World Surf League (WSL) in a Landmark Partnership™
First-ever global no-alcohol beer partnership in WSL history will enhance moments of relaxation and celebration for athletes and fans LISBON, Portugal, March 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Corona Cero, the award-winning no-alcohol beer brand, proudly announces a new four-year partnership with the World Surf League (WSL). This marks the league's first-ever global partnership with a no-alcohol beer brand, building on its eight-year partnership with Corona. Together, Corona Cero and WSL will bring more choice for athletes and fans while embracing the laid-back spirit that defines both surfing and the Corona brand ethos. Following Corona Cero's triple-digit volume growth in 2024, the WSL partnership reinforces the brand's commitment to moderation, relaxation, and celebration. "Surfing is more than just a sport—it's a lifestyle that embraces balance, nature, and the importance of unwinding," said Clarissa Pantoja, Global VP of Corona. "This partnership between the WSL and Corona Cero is a unique opportunity that provides more choices for athletes and fans at events, while also allowing the brand to enhance moments of relaxation and enjoyment for everyone involved." Kicking off with the MEO Rip Curl Pro in Portugal, presented by Corona Cero, surfers and fans of legal drinking age will have the chance to enjoy Corona Cero during the surfing action. During the WSL Championship Tour (CT), Corona Cero will be integrated throughout most of WSL's premier events, delivering broadcast innovations, digital content, and immersive activations designed to bring fans closer to the action. The brand will also implement its Relaxation Clause in all WSL athlete contracts, a commitment Corona launched in 2024 that ensures all its partnered athletes – including WSL surfers Gabriel Medina and Tatiana Weston Webb – have dedicated time to relax and unwind as part of their contracts. "We're thrilled to expand our long-standing global relationship with the Corona brand and to welcome Corona Cero to the WSL. We celebrate the addition of Corona Cero to the Tour, and their ongoing support of professional surfing," said Ryan Crosby, WSL CEO. "Together we share a passion for the beach, adventure, and sustainability. This relationship touches all aspects of the sport and our shared athletes. We look forward to continuing this global partnership for years to come." Stay tuned for more updates on how Corona Cero will bring this global partnership to life throughout the 2025 WSL season. More information can be found by following @Corona and @WSL on all social platforms. About Corona Global Corona, an AB InBev global brand*, is the iconic beer brand that is synonymous with paradise with a presence in 180 countries. Recognized as the world's most valuable beer brand in Kantar's BrandZ global 2024 rankings, Corona invites the world outside, beckoning you to reconnect with your essential nature and embrace the simple pleasures of life. But it's not just about the beer – it's about the ritual. The ritual of adding a slice of lime to your Corona, an experience that elevates the moment. Corona isn't just a beverage; it's nature in a bottle. And we strive to help protect nature and have become the first global beverage brand with a net-zero plastic footprint. This builds on our longstanding ambition to help protect the world's oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Every sip of Corona is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world around us. *Corona is not sold by AB InBev in the United States. About AB InBev Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) is a publicly traded company (Euronext: ABI) based in Leuven, Belgium, with secondary listings on the Mexico (MEXBOL: ANB) and South Africa (JSE: ANH) stock exchanges and with American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BUD). As a company, we dream big to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in the world. We are committed to building great brands that stand the test of time and to brewing the best beers using the finest ingredients. Our diverse portfolio of well over 500 beer brands includes global brands Budweiser®, Corona®, Stella Artois® and Michelob Ultra®; multi-country brands Beck's®, Hoegaarden® and Leffe®; and local champions such as Aguila®, Antarctica®, Bud Light®, Brahma®, Cass®, Castle®, Castle Lite®, Cristal®, Harbin®, Jupiler®, Modelo Especial®, Quilmes®, Victoria®, Sedrin®, and Skol®. Our brewing heritage dates back more than 600 years, spanning continents and generations. From our European roots at the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium. To the pioneering spirit of the Anheuser & Co brewery in St. Louis, US. To the creation of the Castle Brewery in South Africa during the Johannesburg gold rush. To Bohemia, the first brewery in Brazil. Geographically diversified with a balanced exposure to developed and developing markets, we leverage the collective strengths of approximately 144 000 colleagues based in nearly 50 countries worldwide. For 2024, AB InBev's reported revenue was 59.8 billion USD (excluding JVs and associates). ABOUT THE WSL The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world's best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing's global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport's rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts AB InBev Media Relations E-mail: WSLE-mail: press@ Sign in to access your portfolio
