OCEANSIDE, California/USA (Saturday, October 3, 2020) – The Nissan Super Girl Surf Pro World Surf League (WSL) specialty event kicked off with exciting performances, marking the return of top women surfers in the first all-women’s event of 2020. Caroline Marks and Caitlin Simmers emerged victorious for their respective teams after a day of crucial competition. The event featured beautiful, clean conditions with three-to-four foot waves for Team California and Team US, with Championship Tour (CT) competitors leading the charge alongside their Qualifying Series (QS) teammates.
The day showcased the world’s best women surfers, including Marks, Lakey Peterson, and Tatiana Weston-Webb. QS talents Simmers and Zoe Benedetto also stood out as they made their way to the Final. Team US heads into Sunday with a 9 to 5 lead over Team California. Teams Lakey, Tatiana, and Caroline delivered impressive performances, with Marks ending the day with a comeback win over Weston-Webb, earning a notable 14.17 out of a possible 20.
“It feels good after I’ve gotten so close to winning here so many times and to come out on top is great,” said Marks. “I was definitely getting frustrated with myself after Tatiana (Weston-Webb) started off really well and then I took off on a closeout which wasn’t ideal – I swear I had wave repellent on me (laughs). But I knew it could turn around any moment, especially being a beach break, and those waves finally came to me.”
Weston-Webb and her teammate Brianna Cope head into Sunday’s action third on the team leaderboard after contributing 4 points to Team US.
“I was super excited to get back in the jersey even though it was a little nerve-racking and Courtney (Conlogue) just rips, so I tried not to make any mistakes,” said Weston-Webb. “I just love being in the jersey and am thankful we’re able to compete here. I’m grateful for everyone’s effort in making this event happen and getting some heats under our belt.”
Hometown hero Simmers’ massive Semifinal win over Cope helped bring Team California back within 1 point of Team US, and the 14-year-old carried that momentum into a stunning Finals’ performance over Benedetto. Simmers and Peterson showed they are a force to be reckoned with, earning 4 points with their signature power and flair heading into Sunday’s final.
“I’m really happy with my performance and felt like I just got the right waves,” said Simmers. “It’s supposed to be a little bigger tomorrow, so hopefully it’s still really peaky and fun so I can get a couple good ones. There were a few little barrels out there, so maybe try to get a few of those which would be great to get in a heat (laughs).”
“It’s pretty fun to have the teams going and hopefully we can take the win,” said Peterson. “The offseason for me was pretty tough. It’s tough to replicate the competition pressure, and it’s different when you put the jersey on and it counts toward something. There’s just a different kind of pressure no matter how many mock heats I would do with Caroline (Marks), so it’s nice to get back in the groove.”
Team California started strong with two early heat wins, but Team US quickly responded, taking the lead with four-straight heat wins. Notable upsets included Team California’s Alyssa Spencer eliminating four-time WSL Champion and 2018 Super Girl Surf Pro winner Carissa Moore. However, Team US answered back strongly, with the youngest competitor Vahiti Inso, 13, defeating defending event winner Sibley.
Caroline Marks (USA) continued her strong performance from 2019 with a dominant opening heat win over CT veteran Sage Erickson, posting the day’s first excellent score, an 8.50 out of a possible 10, in their Quarterfinal bout. Marks’ impressive form contributed to Team US’s success, with Cope, Benedetto, and Weston-Webb all winning their opening heats. This momentum carried through to earn three of the last four points available to conclude opening day.
The event also features talented adaptive surfers, including 2010 Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year Alana Nichols, 2020 Women’s AMPSurf ISA Para Surfing World Championships Gold Medalist Liv Stone, and the first-ever ISA World Championship female medalist Darian Bailey Haynes.
The event will be webcast live on supergirlsurfpro.com/LIVE, worldsurfleague.com, and twitch.tv/supergirlsurf on October 3-4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST. It will also be broadcast on FOX Sports throughout November and December.
Overall Leaderboard:
Leaderboard Top 3 Teams:
CT Final Results: 1 – Caroline Marks (USA) 14.17 2 – Tatiana Weston-Webb (USA) 12.17
QS Final Results: 1 – Caitlin Simmers (USA) 14.77 2 – Zoe Benedetto (USA) 7.83
CT Semifinal Results: SF 1: Caroline Marks (USA) 14.33 DEF. Alyssa Spencer (USA) 9.87 SF 2: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.23 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.60
QS Semifinal Results: SF 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 11.40 DEF. Brianna Cope (HAW) 8.87 SF 2: Zoe Benedetto (USA) 12.67 DEF. Vahiti Inso (HAW) 9.23
CT Quarterfinal Results: QF 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 13.26 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 12.53 QF 2: Caroline Marks (USA) 15.50 DEF. Sage Erickson (USA) 11.30 QF 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 13.54 DEF. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 11.93 QF 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.60 DEF. Zoe McDougall (HAW) 9.87
QS Quarterfinal Results: QF 1: Caitlin Simmers (USA) 14.27 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 10.53 QF 2: Brianna Cope (HAW) 10.07 DEF. Meah Collins (USA) 7.50 QF 3: Zoe Benedetto (USA) 10.87 DEF. Tia Blanco (USA) 10.00 QF 4: Vahiti Inso (HAW) 10.97 DEF. Samantha Sibley (USA) 8.90
Exciting Event Updates and Concert Lineup Notifications
