In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, Julian Wilson made an impressive return to the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour by defeating current rankings leader Italo Ferreira in the round of 32 at the Gold Coast Pro.
The 36-year-old Australian, who took a break from competitive surfing in 2021 for mental health reasons, earned a wildcard spot in the event after securing a victory in the qualifying competition. His win against Ferreira, the Brazilian star, marked his fifth consecutive victory over the world No. 1, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor.
Wilson’s heat kicked off in challenging conditions at Burleigh Heads, with waves around two meters providing a steady challenge for surfers. Despite the pressures of returning to the tour after nearly four years, Wilson seemed unshaken. “It got the heart-rate going very quickly, but it kind of worked in my favor,” Wilson said of his last-minute rush to the beach, which was delayed by his children. “I didn’t really get to watch the conditions, but that worked out well as I adapted quickly to what was happening in the water.”
Ferreira’s heat, however, was marred by an unfortunate series of missteps. The Olympic gold medalist suffered a significant setback when he fell while attempting a big aerial maneuver on his first wave, damaging his board and forcing him to paddle to shore for a replacement. His attempt to re-enter the water via a rocky path instead of a jetski delayed his return further, allowing Wilson to accumulate a combined score of 9.30. Ferreira struggled to regain his footing, only posting a 3.77 halfway through the heat. In the final moments, Ferreira needed a score of 7.10 to take the lead, but was unable to find a suitable wave.
Wilson’s next challenge will come in the round of 16, where he will face French surfer Marco Mignot, who eliminated George Pittar in a high-quality heat. Mignot, known for his dynamic air-reverse maneuvers, posted a two-wave score of 16.23, narrowly edging out Pittar, whose rail work tallied 14.23.
Meanwhile, in another stunning upset, wildcard Morgan Cibilic eliminated Australia’s world No. 2, Ethan Ewing, advancing to the men’s round of 16. Cibilic will next meet Hawaiian Seth Moniz, while the women’s quarter-finals are set to take place later on Friday.
Stephanie Gilmore Defeats Caity Simmers in Generational Surfing Duel
In the women’s competition, Australian surfing legend Stephanie Gilmore, 37, marked her return to the WSL after nearly two years, defeating reigning world champion Caity Simmers in a tightly contested round of 16 heat. Gilmore, who is an eight-time world champion, triumphed over the 19-year-old American, edging out Simmers 12.84 to 12.50 after the young surfer fell at a critical moment.
Gilmore, who entered the event as a wildcard, spoke about the challenge of facing such a skilled competitor. “Caity’s one of my favorite surfers – she’s the current world champion, and she’s probably everyone’s favorite surfer,” Gilmore said. “It’s nerve-wracking to compete against people like that, but it really brings out the best in you. You have to dig deep and find new strategies, and I just enjoyed it a lot.”
The day also featured several upsets, with Australian Sally Fitzgibbons defeating world No. 5 Tyler Wright, and Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan, the current world No. 1, falling to Brazilian Luana Silva.
Gilmore’s next heat will pit her against 17-year-old Canadian rookie Erin Brooks in a highly anticipated generational clash. Meanwhile, world No. 3 Molly Picklum bounced back from a loss at Bells Beach to deliver the highest women’s heat score of the day, 16.27, advancing to the quarter-finals. She will face Fitzgibbons in an all-Australian showdown.
Other Highlights
In addition to Gilmore and Picklum’s performances, Australian Isabella Nichols, who secured her first Bells Beach title, also advanced to the next round. Brazilian Filipe Toledo demonstrated his prowess in the men’s competition, solidifying his position as one of the top contenders in the event.
As the Gold Coast Pro progresses, all eyes will be on Wilson’s continued comeback and the fierce competition that lies ahead in both the men’s and women’s brackets.
Stay updated with the latest from the Gold Coast Pro as top surfers battle for supremacy on the world stage.