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(Photo: WSL/ Kirstin)

2022 WSL OUTERKNOWN TAHITI PRO PREVIEW

Tracks' Editor Luke Kennedy and Digital Creator Sam Morgan, take a look at the next WSL event at Teahupo'o.

We are nearly at the end of the 2022 season, with the Tahiti Pro waiting period kicking off on Friday in Aus (12-22 August). It’s a significant event for the women who haven’t competed at Teahupo’o since 2006 and possibly a historic moment in surfing as it could be the final time we see Kelly Slater with a CT jersey on (maybe).To add more fuel to the fire it’s the last chance for some surfers to have a crack at a top five spot to compete for a world title. 

Injuries have stacked up on the men’s side, with John John Florence (knee), Gabe Medina (knee) and Kolohe Andino (rumoured surfer’s ear) withdrawing from the event. We were surprised to hear the news that CT veteran Nathan Hedge received a wildcard in the event(thanks to Kelly). The other wildcards are Yago Dora, Michel Bourez, Vahine Fierro, Caroline Marks and trial winner Kauli Vaast. 

The surf forecast is looking small for the first half of the waiting period, with encouraging six to eight-foot swells expected for the later part of the event window. What makes the event even juicier than possible pumping Tahiti is the three spots left to be decided in the final five on both the men’s and women’s side. 


Which surfers can make the top five? 
Filipe Toledo, Carissa Moore, Jack Robinson and Johanne Defay have already cemented their spot in the final five.
This is what each result equates to in ranking points: 
1st place – 10,000
2nd place – 7,800
3rd place – 6,085
5th place – 4,745
9th place – 3, 320
17th place – 1,330
Here’s a quick breakdown of the surfers who have a chance
Men’s side:
– World no.3 Ethan Ewing (40,970 points) and Italo Ferreira (39, 130) are pretty much in cruise control to make the final five. Getting past the elimination round or a fifth place to be safe should get them on a flight to San Clemente. 
– Griffin Colapinto (36,800) is just ahead of Kanoa Igarashi (35,525). Both need excellent results to compete for a world title at home. It’s a fascinating contest between the two who found themselves in a similar situation heading into last year’s finals day series, but ultimately both missed out. 
– Callum Robson ( 31,900), Connor Leary (30,185) and the Pupo bros, Miguel (30,185) and Samuel (29,910) need to at least make the final and hope the others ahead get knocked out early. 


Women’s side:
 – World no.3 Tatiana Weston-Webb (42,610), Steph Gilmore (41,625) and Brisa Hennessy (40,285) are currently above the cut-off line. But Lakey Peterson (39,005) is just behind Brisa and has the best chance of stealing a top five spot with a strong performance at Tahiti.
– Tracks event favourite Tyler Wright (36,460) is also a fighting chance of making the cut if she wins or comes second.
– Gabriela Bryan (35,155) and Isabella Nichols (34,675) also have a shot but must at least make the final and have those ahead finish with a 17th place. 

Who does Tahiti favour? 
Luke
Men: Jack Robbo and Kelly ( 5-times winner) line up as backhand favourites at Teahupo’o. From the goofy foot ranks, Yago Dora arrives with form and confidence. As a Chopes specialist, wild card Kauli Vaast must also be considered a contender. In 2008 Bruno Santos ( winner) and local Manoa Drollet proved wildcard specialists at Chopes were a major threat when they both made the final.

Women: Carissa Moore and Tatiana Weston Webb have sophisticated tube riding acts and should be major contenders. However, Tyler Wright will see the event as an opportunity to make her presence felt. 

Trials winner Kauli Vaast on the biggest wave ever at Chopes?

Sam
Men: I predict Jack doing well and possibly taking Filipe’s no.1 spot. Robbo’s confidence is at an all-time high, plus the fact he’s regarded as one of the best tube riders on the CT. Italo’s speed ability on his forehand at a wave like Teahupo’o keeps him in the mix for finals day. I cannot count Kelly out, who may bow out of the greatest competitive surfing career we’ve seen with a 57th CT victory. 

Women: The women’s side is much harder to predict as we haven’t seen any current CT surfers compete at Teahupo’o. A fired-up and fearless Tyler may go all the way and win it on her quest for a top five spot. Brisa who is in survival mode at fifth position, will be a scary competitor to face.

Surprises at Tahiti?
Luke
MenMiguel Pupo is an underrated barrel rider who can challenge the heavyweights. Meanwhile, we can expect Griffin ( ranked 5) and Kanoa (ranked 6) to put it all on the line as they vie for a top five spot. 

Women: With her Hawaiian heritage, Gabriela Bryan is comfortable in the heavy stuff but don’t forget Brisa Hennessy, who was stranded in Fiji during COVID and would have chalked up some serious backside barrel riding practise at Cloudbreak. 

(Photo by Matt Dunbar/World Surf League)


Sam 
Men: Seth Moniz could end the year on a high due to his extensive amounts of practice on his backhand barrel riding at Pipeline. He has competed well at Tahiti, finishing third in 2019. We know what Michel Bourez can do at his home break. Expect the jacked wildcard to be a disruptor against the highly-ranked.

Women: Local wildcard Vahine Fierro is a contender to win as she has notched up the most surfing time at Teahupo’o compared to her competitors.

The match-ups we want to see? 
Luke: If the draw and conditions permit. Jack Robbo and Kelly employing every kind of backside barrel riding technique to dust the competitor. Deeper take-offs, no hands , free fall drops, south runners, west bowl slabs, foam ball wrestling and maybe a little rotation off the end to garnish the hollow theatrics. Perhaps a high-five kick out to bring back memories of Machado. Or Kelly vs Hedgey. Two middle-aged bald men restoring hope to middle-aged bald men around the world and destroying kids half their age along the way.

The match-ups between Carissa and Tatiana are always dramatic. To see them going barrel for barrel in waves of consequence would be incredible. 


Sam: Hedgey vs Italo would be classic. Both are known to have the most energy output in any surf line-up they paddle out to. Each surfer won’t back down in putting themselves in hairier positions at Chopes. The match-up could break the record for most waves ridden in a heat. Kelly against anyone. It may be the last time we see him compete on tour (I’m not crying, you are).

Wildcard Vahine vs world no.1 Carissa would be an interesting contest. It would be a great case study in knowing what’s more important to have at a CT event, deep local knowledge or an excessive amount of competitive experience. I want to find out.

Check out the recent update on the World Shapers Cup before Tahiti starts!

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