Lexus Pipe Pro: first day full of surprises for the girls!

On Wednesday February 7th, the elite of the women’s surfing world returned to the water at Pipeline and a new generation stepped up to the plate! The #1 faculty of the 2024 Championship Tour, the Lexus Pipe Pro, continued yesterday with 1m-1m50 waves at Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore. The women’s opening round was held mainly in straight lines at Backdoor, witnessing a clever combination of barrels and turns that had a large weight in the score scale. Johanne Defay skated in the sixth and final heat of the day, where she took second, against Sawyer Lindblad and Lakey Peterson, sending the latter to the repechage.

Molly Picklum and Tyler Wright set the tone

Molly Picklum, who showed up last year in Hawaii, picked up where she left off, easily getting the best waves of the day. His two excellent Backdoor barrels with powerful carvings produced the best scores of this first round. Starting with 7.33, the Australian went on to score an excellent 8.50, all of which gave him a solid victory. In her series, Tatiana Weston-Webb chased the biggest barrels but failed to find an exit, while rookie Alyssa Spencer focused on the big back turns, taking the second place of the 16th stage. It was very hot this morning and I was lucky to have wavesPicklum said. This year I’m focusing on becoming a world champion, having fun and showing how I skate.«

Two-time world champion Tyler Wright had no trouble finding barrels at Backdoor in this women’s first round, earning two good scores that allowed him to easily qualify for the round of 16. Behind him, two North Shore locals, Bettylou Sakura Johnson and Luana Silva, they bet everything in turn, took part in a great battle, which eventually turned into the advantage of the Brazilian, and sent Bettylou Sakura Johnson to the repechage.

« I don’t know if I will ever trust myself heresaid Wright. But I really enjoy going there and sitting in the ocean, feeling its movements and the energy that comes from it. It allows you to gather a lot of information and when you find yourself in a row, you are already connected to the row and how it works. I put a lot of energy into the pre-season and I really want to focus on doing my best.«

The Americans are doing the job at the beginning of the season

Caroline Marks, the reigning world champion, made it through her first series with bad waves without any problems, scoring small but decent points on her back turns. During the 30 minutes of their series where the action was tight, India Robinson and Pipe specialist Moana Jones Wong struggled to find opportunities and it was not for lack of looking. Ultimately, it was the Hawaiian who moved up to second place, sending the Australian into the recovery.

« Wearing this yellow jersey obviously brings a lot of confidence, it’s a color that everyone wants to wearMarks said. The pipe has many surfaces and wind plays a very important role. Additionally, there is a current that goes through the arc and depending on where he is during the arc, things are not right. A win is a win and you never know but the next series could be a lot of fun, I feel really good overall.«

The rookie of the year 2023 and number 4 in the world, Caitlin Simmers, showed a lot of impressive ability that allowed her to get her first victory in the heat of 2024. Gabriela Bryan took the second place, taking down Isabella Nichols in a repechage, running the risk of early elimination this time. season opener.

« It’s like having all four seasons in one heat.said Simmers. This is a common thing here and I expected it, so I was more prepared this year than last year. Obviously, we’re in Pipeline, so I’m trying to take barrels but I saw a lot of people yesterday only getting one point, so I went to practice my back turns, in free skating, to prepare and make sure to come back well- up. »

In his first ever participation in a World Tour event, rookie Sawyer Lindblad began his Tour career with a convincing victory in this opening round. The San Clemente native found the nugget at Backdoor, coming off a long back barrel that allowed him to earn a 7, his best score. Ensuring that he gets a good turn, the American started his season alongside the world’s best in style.

« This was actually the first back barrel I picked up hereLindblad said. I caught my mouth on my head too many times during practice for this competition. Before the heat, I was talking to my coach Shane who told me to hang on because I always jump thinking I’m too deep and in this barrel I saw I could and I did. »

Carissa Moore, Lakey Peterson, Tatiana Weston-Webb in the draft

Brisa Hennessy won the second heat of the day, sending main event winner and five-time world champion Carissa Moore to a replay. Although the Hawaiian was calm, which is not like him, the Costa Rican scored two good marks on the barrel and a combination of turns on the Backdoor rights.

« It’s crazy in this game how much you can be in or out of rhythm and luckily today was my day“, Hennessy said.” I really had to face my fears to get to where I am and figure out who I wanted to be in and out of the water. I’ve had health issues, but I think it’s all about mindset and I refuse to be a victim of my fears and things that can weaken me. This year I come with a new, more positive mindset and I am honored and grateful to be able to skate again.«

With the highly-proven Carissa Moore, Tatiana Weston-Webb and Lakey Peterson in return, the tension will be at its peak when the competition resumes. With the situation continuing to deteriorate today, WSL officials have already declared the competition OFF for this Thursday, February 8 and the next call is scheduled for 7:45 am local time on Friday, February 9, 2024.

All information can be found at WSL website.

Women’s first round results

The next cycle of recovery

Tags: Backdoor Championship Tour hawaii johanne turned down Lexus Pipe Pro Molly Picklum Pipeline runs Tyler wright World Tour WSL