Major upsets marked the women’s Elimination Round at the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour’s ninth stop of the season, the VIVO Rio Pro, held in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro.
Several of the top-ranked surfers, including current World No. 1 Gabriela Bryan and former No. 2 Caitlin Simmers, were eliminated in surprise losses that reshaped the leaderboard.
Bryan, 23, of Hawaii, entered the event riding high after a win at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. However, her campaign in Brazil ended prematurely when she fell to Peru’s Arena Rodriguez.
In a low-scoring heat, Rodriguez posted a combined score of 8.90 with individual rides of 4.00 and 4.90. Bryan managed only a 6.50, failing to advance to the quarterfinals.
Simmers, 19, a standout from the United States, also exited earlier than expected. Facing Brazil’s Luana Silva in a closely contested heat, Simmers scored a combined 10.24 from waves of 3.67 and 6.57. Silva narrowly edged her out with a 10.47, booking her place in the next round. The result dropped Simmers one spot in the live rankings to No. 3, while Australia’s Molly Picklum climbed to No. 2.
Also eliminated was Bettylou Sakura Johnson, champion of both the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro and the Lexus Trestles Pro, who was defeated by Australia’s Tyler Wright.
The VIVO Rio Pro continues to deliver surprises and shake-ups as the competition progresses. While the men’s Elimination Round is still underway, the results from the women’s heats suggest the potential for further dramatic developments.
