Waking up to Jessi Miley-Dyer and Shannon Hughes using words like “huge”, “pretty fun”, or “full day” is always a good sign, even if it’s in the middle of the god damn night. But, early wake-ups call for everyone’s favourite legal drug – coffee, yes, coffee!, while a (kinda) firing righthand point-break definitely helps to get over the chronic daily working slump.
A full day of competition usually means heartbreaks, upsets, buzzer moments, creative claims, and on good days, all at the same time.
With 24 heats competed in day two. There’s plenty to unravel. Plenty to discuss. Let’s let it begin, shall we?
Elimination Round – Men’s Side Of Things
The Day started with a stunner as Ethan Ewing took on the local wildcard and Punta Roca royalty Bryan Perez. We all knew that the judges and everyone in the booth crush on Ewing’s style. The new Andy Irons. The Aussie stylemaster. The most stylish surfer on tour are only some of the hyperboles being thrown around, but Bryan Perez is no stranger to aesthetics either. Tall, coiled up, and fluid through turns could describe either surfer, but Bryan has that raw, unrefined finish that screams “bad boy”, which is incredibly pleasing on the eyes.
It wasn’t enough as Ethan Ewing continued to impress, cruising into the Round of 16 with a duo of mid-range scores. Señor Salazar calls Ewing a potential world champ in 2022. He might just be right, so if you’re a betting man (or woman), throwing your mortgage at your nearest bookie might not be the worst idea to cash in on the kid from North Stradbroke Island (but probably still is a very, very bad idea.).
The rest of the Elimination Round went exactly how we expected it to go. Favourites like Italo, Callum and Grif are pulling through, taking out fan favourites, wildcards and Pura Vida ambassadors in the process. And then there was the big moment of Matty G, who has quietly become one of my favourite surfers on tour.
Why? First of all, he has great hair. Secondly, he turned into an air guy taking out another air guy. Beating Kolohe Andino at his own game was entertaining and definitely the upset of the Round. Matt McGillivray has been coming through victorious in these Sudden Death Rounds throughout the year, making me wonder if he enjoys the feeling of having the noose around his neck, looking death (competitively speaking) a couple too many times in the eyes. Either way, – Matty, if you’re reading this, don’t change a thing! You’re keeping us entertained, alright.
The Pupo Bros have also headed to the airport already, losing their Elimination Round matchup against semi-local gringo Jake Marshall and Connor O’Leary, respectively. This is a special kind of heartbreak for Sammy Pupo, who seemed to have this Heat in the bag until the dying minutes. In my humble, unsolicited opinion, the judges kind of cooked this one, but it wouldn’t be a Cream Tour event without the controversy.
And just like that, we have already lost eight guys, and I haven’t even had breakfast yet!
The Round of 16 – Men’s Side Of Things
Headlining the Round of 16 was the slashing of the Brazilian storm by the Brazilian storm. Gabe sent Caio packing while current World Numero Uno Filipe Toledo killed the Dora. This is how it goes with the new format. Fewer surfers imply a shuffle in the Heat Draws, which means lower seeds and wildcards (looking at you, Gabby) can cause absolute havoc, essentially crushing entire Final 5 / World Championship campaigns.
The Heat between Toledo and Yago Dora was an interesting one. The scores weren’t too outta this world – until Fil dropped that 8.33, but the two Brazilians went blow for blow! Fil on the carves, Yago in the air, clocking 10 and 12 waves, keeping the judges on their toes to punch in the scores.
On the other side of the draw, the blonde stallion keeps going ham. Jack Robinson is a beast! If he’s not killing his opponent with last-second heroics, he does it with air revs and swag. All credit to Jacko Baker, who surfed a pretty solid heat bagging an 8.07 and a 7.10 on his pink blade, but Robbo just doesn’t seem to get rattled; doing his thing and doing his thing damn well. No doubt, the world’s taking notice. Laura poked the bear by asking Filly Toledo about the rivalry with Jack, but the Ubatuba boy didn’t bite. All Instagram BS, apparently… But is it really?
Grif joins Igarashi and Callum Robson to live to fight another day. Matty Mc Gillivray goes down to Ethan Ewing. At the same time, Italo takes out the all-goofy matchup sending Connor O’Leary back to the plunge pool in the Red Bull Athlete’s zone.
The Quarter Final Side of Things
Waves began to fire for the QF’s and so did competition with some spicy match-up’s taking place. Johanne Defay took out wildcard Sally Fitzgibbons in heat one. G-Land Queen put on another stellar performance, unleashing her power surfing on Punta Roca and sent Sally packing.
Lakey Peterson aka Mrs clutch defeated long time rival Courtney Conlogue by hustling a 7.5 in the final seconds to pick up a spot in the semi’s. Caroline Marks has returned in a big way at El Salvador taking out world no.1 Carissa Moore, her backhand attack was too much for the five-time world champ. Rissa’s QF loss gives Johanne an opportunity to steal the gold jersey at the event.
Steph Gilmore wrapped up the QF’s with possibly her best performance of the year. Her opponent Isabella Nichols got the win in their last encounter at Margaret’s. Steph was not going to let that happen again, pulling an almighty performance, surfing like she did in her iconic win at Keramas in 2019. The seven-time champ’s timing, pin point rail-game and hacks was too much for her protege.
Steph will be up against Caroline Mark in the semi’s, while Lakey battles Johanne.
Medina and Jack Robinson would kick off the men’s quarters. Both surfers knew they needed excellent scores to one up each other. Slim Shady would attempt a fins-out on a heavy section on his first wave ultimately snapping his special Sharp Eye Surfboard. Gabe capitalised on Robbo’s unlucky start and like a shark attacked Punta Roca, finishing the Aussie’s winning run.
Heat of the day, possibly the year?
We knew it was going to be a spectacle when Kanoa and Griff were paddling out. Huey did his best producing consistent waves throughout the 30 minute heat. Kanoa was hungry to take the win against fellow Californian prodigy, starting off strong with a lofty punt. Some seriously high-performance surfing was going on between these two gents in this heat.
The lead would change throughout the heat until Griff set a new benchmark with a 9.10, showcasing a masterful approach to Punta Roca with flare and variety getting him the nod. Griff was stoked with the win “his got my number, that heat was really special for me, I’m just glad we could get good waves and get after it”.
World no.1 Felipe Toledo continues his unstoppable form taking out Aussie mongrel Callum Robson, who could not get going in the heat. Italo and Ethan Ewing would have a close contest in their heat, with the Brazilian getting the nod with his impeccable backhand.
Waves are expected to stick around for finals day with a forecast of a Brazilian storm. Medina takes on Griff, while Italo and Felipe will be fireworks in semi-final two.
Quarterfinal Results
Women’s
Heat 1
Johanne Defay – 15.60
Sally Fitzgibbons – 11.00
Heat 2
Lakey Peterson – 12.77
Courtney Conlogue – 12.43
Heat 3
Caroline Marks – 14.03
Carissa Moore – 11.56
Heat 4
Stephanie Gilmore – 16.20
Isabella Nichols – 12.66
Men’s
Heat 1
Gabriel Medina – 12.50
Jack Robinson – 6.50
Heat 2
Griffin Colapinto – 17.60
Kanoa Igarashi – 16.20
Heat 3
Felipe Toledo – 16.67
Callum Robson – 10.57
Heat 4
Italo Ferreira – 17.47
Ethan Ewing – 16.10
Men’s Round of 16 results
Heat 1
Jack Robinson – 17.76
Jackson Baker – 15.17
Heat 2
Gabriel Medina – 16.00
Caio Ibelli – 11.23
Heat 3
Kanoa Igarashi – 10.73
Jake Marshall – 7.10
Heat 4
Griffin Colapinto – 13.67
Jordy Smith – 10.83
Heat 5
Felipe Toledo – 14.66
Yago Dora – 11.33
Heat 6
Callum Robson – 11.83
Barron Mamiya – 8.30
Heat 7
Ethan Ewing – 15.27
Matthew McGillivray – 12.94
Heat 8
Italo Ferriera – 14.73
Connor O’Leary – 13.43
