WSL world surf title race: the events, favourites and how it works
JUST two years out from the sports Olympic debut, Australia goes into the 2018 world tour season boasting the top three women and numerous men with potential to win a world crown.
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JUST two years out from the sports Olympic debut, Australian surfers go into the 2018 world tour season boasting the top three women in world surfing and a group of men with the potential to win world crowns.
We take a look at the favourites in both the women’s and men’s world title races, the events they will contests, changes to the tour and the moments that will matter in our guide to the WSL 2018 season.
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WHO ARE THE GUNS IN THE WOMEN’S TITLE RACE
The three clear favourites after the 2017 season are all Australian.
Tyler Wright, Stephanie Gilmore and Sally Fitzgibbons filled the top three spots with Wright winning her second world title at the Mau Pro.
Incredibly Gilmore missed winning a seventh world crown by just one heat.
Courtney Conlogue was a force early in 2017 and will be again this year with many also tipping big things from multiple world champion Carissa Moore from the US.
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WHO ARE THE GUNS IN THE MEN’S TITLE RACE
Australia, the US and Brazil are in positions of power the men’s ranks, snaring the majority of spots on the championships tour.
Australias surfers are a mix of new and old talent, including former world champion Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning for the opening two rounds, Julian Wilson, Matt Wilkinson, Owen Wright and last year’s Rookie of the Year, Connor O’Leary.
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John John Florence goes in as the defending champion after wining his second world crown in 2017. Brazilian Felipe Toleda is also being tipped for a big year in 2018.
SEASON TIPS
Tyler Wright and John John Florence have to be the favourites for 2018 after winning the last two years.
But in the women’s race there is a lot of backing for Gilmore to match the extraordinary record of Layne Beachley in winning seven world crowns.
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Last season also showed Sally Fitzgibbons has the arsenal to finally win her maiden world crown with the biggest threats to the Australians likely to come from multiple world champion Carissa Moore and the hungry Courtney Conlogue.
Watch out for Phillip Island surfer Nikki Van Dijk who broke through for her first WSL world tour win in 2017.
In the men’s competition many believes this could be the year for Julian Wilson, depending on how he comes back from a shoulder injury sustained pre-season.
Gabriel Medina threatens as does Jordy Smithm Wright and Wilkinson.
Watch out for Filipe Toledo who continues to amaze when on song.
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WHAT IS IT
The World Surf League, or WSL, was formerly known as the ASP World Tour.
The series is used to determine the men’s and women’s world champions of surfing each year after a series of events.
The best female and male surfers compete in 10 events across the season and accrue points at each event. They are allowed to drop their worst two performances.
The WSL rankings will also be used to determine which surfers will compete at the Olympics in 2020.
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WINDS OF CHANGE
There are some big chances for the 2018 world tour for both women and men.
One of the most anticipated is the first WSL event at Surf Ranch in the US.
Another is the fact the women’s world tour will join the men’s at Jeffreys Bay.
The third is the fact that Indonesia will replace Fiji on the world tour with the inclusion of the Bali Pro. However events in Portugal and at Trestles in the US are gone in 2018.
2018 World Surf League Women’s Championship Tour:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Australia - March 11 - 22, 2018
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, Australia - March 28 - April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia - April 11 - 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil - May 10 - 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia - May 27 - June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa - July 10 - 17, 2018
Vans US Open of Surfing, USA - July 30 - August 5, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 - 9, 2018
Roxy Pro France, France - October 3 - 14, 2018
Hawaii Women’s Pro, Hawaii/USA - November 25 - December 6, 2018
2018 World Surf League Men’s Championship Tour:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Australia - March 11 - 22, 2018
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia - March 28 - April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia - April 11 - 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil - May 10 - 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia - May 27 - June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa - July 2 - 13, 2018
Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Tahiti - August 10 - 21, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 - 9, 2018
Quiksilver Pro France, France - October 3 - 14, 2018
MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Portugal - October 16 - 27, 2018
Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii/USA - December 8 - 20, 2018
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TV IN AUSTRALIA
TV coverage: Fox
RANKINGS
Entering 2018 initial positions are based on the rankings at the end of 2017.
The top 10 from last year automatically requalified for this year’s tour. The remainder are determined by accrued points from various events.
MICK FANNING
The tour is farewelling Mick Fanning in 2018. Fanning has decided to do just the opening two events of the championship tour which means he will bow out at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.
This was an event three-time world champion Fanning won as a wildcard and is also at the home of his sponsor.
SURFERS ON TOUR
2018 Women’s Championship Tour Top 17
1. Tyler Wright (AUS), 2. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 3. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 4. Courtney Conlogue (USA), 5. Carissa Moore (HAW), 6. Lakey Peterson (USA), 7. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), 8. Sage Erickson (USA), 9. Johanne Defay (FRA), 10. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), 11. Silvana Lima (BRA), 12. Bronte Macaulay (AUS), 13. Coco Ho (HAW), 14. Caroline Marks (USA), 15. Keely Andrew (AUS), 16. Paige Hareb (NZL), Wildcards: 17. Malia Manuel (HAW). Replacements: Macy Callaghan (AUS), Pauline Ado (FRA), Dimity Stoyle (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
2018 Men’s Championship Tour Top 34
1. John John Florence (HAW), 2. Gabriel Medina (BRA), 3. Julian Wilson (AUS), 4. Jordy Smith (ZAF), 5. Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 6. Owen Wright (AUS), 7. Kolohe Andino (USA), 8. Adriano de Souza (BRA), 9. Joel Parkinson (AUS), 10. Filipe Toledo (BRA), 11. Sebastian Zietz (HAW), 12. Mick Fanning (AUS), 13. Connor O’Leary (AUS), 14. Frederico Morais (POR), 15. Jeremy Flores (FRA), 16. Adrian Buchan (AUS), 17. Kanoa Igarashi (USA) ,18. Caio Ibelli (BRA), 19. Michel Bourez (PYF), 20. Conner Coffin (USA), 21. Joan Duru (FRA), 22. Italo Ferreira (BRA), 23. Griffin Colapinto (USA), 24. Jesse Mendes (BRA), 25. Wade Carmichael (AUS), 26. Tomas Hermes (BRA), 27. Yago Dora (BRA), 28. Willian Cardoso (BRA), 29. Keanu Asing (HAW), 30. Ezekiel Lau (HAW), 31. Michael Rodrigues (BRA), 32. Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Wildcards: 33. Kelly Slater (USA), 34. Ian Gouveia (BRA). Replacements: Michael February (ZAF) Bede Durbidge (AUS) Miguel Pupo (BRA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA)
WORLD SURFING CHAMPIONS
2017 John John Florence (Haw) Tyler Wright (AUS)
2016 John John Florence (Haw) Tyler Wright (AUS)
2015 Adriano de Souza (BRA) Carissa Moore (HAW).
2014 Gabriel Medina (BRA) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2013 Mick Fanning Carissa Moore (HAW)
2012 Joel Parkinson (AUS) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2011 Kelly Slater (USA) Carissa Moore (HAW)
2010 Kelly Slater (USA) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2009 Mick Fanning (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2008 Kelly Slater (USA) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2007 Mick Fanning (AUS) Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2006 Kelly Slater (USA) Layne Beachley (AUS)
2005 Kelly Slater (USA) Chelsea Georgeson (AUS).
2004 Andy Irons (HAW) Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
2003 Andy Irons (HAW) Layne Beachley (AUS)
2002 Andy Irons (HAW) Layne Beachley [5] (AUS)
2001 C. J. Hobgood (USA) Layne Beachley [4]
2000 Sunny Garcia (HAW) Layne Beachley [3] (AUS)
1999 Mark Occhilupo (AUS) Layne Beachley [2] (AUS)
1998 Kelly Slater [6] (USA) Layne Beachley (AUS)
1997 Kelly Slater [5] (USA Lisa Andersen[4] (USA)
1996 Kelly Slater [4] (USA) Lisa Andersen[3] (USA)
1995 Kelly Slater [3] (USA) Lisa Andersen [2] (USA)
1994 Kelly Slater [2] (USA) Lisa Andersen (USA)
1993 Derek Ho (HAW) Pauline Menczer (AUS)
1992 Kelly Slater (USA) Wendy Botha [4] (AUS)
1991 Damien Hardman [2] (AUS) Wendy Botha [3] (AUS)
1990 Tom Curren [3] (USA) Pam Burridge (AUS)
1989 Martin Potter (UK) Wendy Botha [2] (AUS)
1988 Barton Lynch (AUS) Freida Zamba [4] (USA)
1987/88 Damien Hardman (AUS) Wendy Botha (RSA
1986/87 Tom Curren [2] (USA) Freida Zamba [3] (USA)
1985/86 Tom Curren (USA) Freida Zamba [2] (USA)
1984/85 Tom Carroll[2] (AUS Freida Zamba (USA)
1983/84 Tom Carroll (AUS) Kim Mearig (USA)
IPS World Circuit
1982 Mark Richards [5] (AUS) Debbie Beacham (USA)
1981 Mark Richards [4] (AUS) Margo Oberg[3] (HAW)