We’re almost at the half-way point of the WSL season. The Tour, despite its many criticisms is still our go to barometer for high performance surfing. Rightly or wrongly as surfers we invest much attention in 30-minute heats, the commentators and the WSL circus. This is the first in a two-part series where we dig in to some of the big hits, and misses, from the WSL season thus far.
WA
The cancellation of Margaret River mid-way through the event certainly undermined the legitimacy of the WSL. Shark threat or not it’s no secret event sponsor WSL Tourism bent over backwards to ensure the safety of surfers. The backlash against some of the Brazilian contingent (Gabe & Italo) that took to social media to express feelings of being unsafe may have influenced the decision. It felt weird. Rumours swirl that WA will be out of the picture in 2019. If it stays one wonders whether Gabriel or Italo will sit that event out. The ramifications of this year’s event cancellation and success of Uluwatu as a replacement may factor into how the Australian leg is designed in the future. Many argue it is simply too long. The smart money is on WA or Snapper being axed and Bells, due to its historic connection to the sport, staying.
World Title Race
Who’s is it this year to lose? Julian, Filipe or Italo? This trio are on fire in 2018. Julian’s loss to Willian in Uluwatu reminded us that he fails to close events where he’s typically the favourite to win. He wears the Yellow Jersey heading into J-Bay and the weight of expectation may be his undoing. Meanwhile, Filipe heads to the Supers with a highlight reel and win from last season in his back pocket. It’s really Italo who is the unknown. Could his jacked-up approach be his undoing on the long ropy walls of J-Bay? Can Jordy put himself in the mix with by demonstrating some good old fashioned power surfing? Or will an outlier like Owen Wright make his surge to the top of the rankings? If this year has taught us anything, expect the unexpected.
The Brazilian Storm
Four of the five events have been won by Brazilians. Julian might have won the season opener at Snapper Rocks but the Brazilians have dominated there on after. From Italo Ferreira’s meteoric rise to Filipe’s free form Jazz in the punchy beach breaks of Saquarema and Willian Cardoso’s surprise win at Uluwatu. As a nation, there are five Brazilians in the Top 10, four in the Top 5. It seems inevitable one will be crowned World Champ in 2018. Our pick is Italo (we’ll get to him next).
Italo Ferreira
He’s been called the most likeable Brazilian surfer on tour. A backhanded compliment some would say. However, there’s no question the goofy-foot ninja presents as a surfer with one of the most infectious positive energies on Tour. His slashing backhand attack and no holds bar approach to both freesurfs and heats make him one of the most exciting to watch. After a heartfelt win over Mick Fanning at Bells and an incredible performance at Keramas, he’s well and truly in contention for a world title. The most improved surfer in 2018 and a man that looks destined to do well in the heavy water events of the Pacific where his countrymen have previously floundered.
Mikey Wright
The mad dog mullet rocking, inked up Wright has injected some much-needed colour to the Tour. Having done good on the Wildcard spots he’s been granted this season he finds himself ranked number seven in the world. He has all but qualified for the 2019 World Tour. In Mikey we have finally got a Wildcard that wants to be on Tour. He’s fit, focused and surfing like a bat out of hell. If the WSL could engineer a tour with less surfers and more Wildcard opportunities for guys like Mikey (think Noa Deane, Jack Freestone, Creed) wouldn’t that be a Tour worth watching?
Next week we’ll discuss the welcomed addition of Indonesia, rivalries, John John Florence’s form, Kelly’s foot injury and more.
