Former two-time event Pro Junior victor Caroline Marks (USA) showing her experience in dominant form. Credit: © WSL / Morris
- Caroline Marks, Two-Time Event Winner Courtney Conlogue Dominate Debuts
- Women Challenger Series Threats Take Control
- Men’s International Contenders Light Up Huntington Beach, Nolan Rapoza Salvages California Surge
- More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com
The Vans US Open of Surfing, Stop No. 4 of the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series (CS), continued with more impressive performances in building two-to-three foot, occasional plus swell, as men finished their Round of 96 before the women made their big debuts. An expected storm began showing its presence to heighten the excitement of incoming swell, and competitors capitalized on every opportunity despite high tide lulls.
Caroline Marks, Two-Time Event Victor Courtney Conlogue Lead Women’s Debuts In Dominant Form
A Challenger Series superheat unfolded in the Round of 64 Heat 7 featuring CT phenom Caroline Marks (USA), former CT veteran Keely Andrew (AUS), Ultimate Surfer runner-up and qualification threat Brianna Cope (HAW), and decorated emerging threat Zoe Benedetto (USA). Marks left her competitors vying for second-place after a jaw-dropping start to her heat to earn an event best so far 16.07 (out of a possible 20) heat total, including an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10). The former two-time Pro Junior victor now looks to add a Vans US Open of Surfing title to her resume and return to atop the podium once more.
“It’s always an event I look forward to every year and it’s good to see the swell start to pick up this afternoon a little bit and into tomorrow,” said Marks. “It’s great to see the full set up back, the crowd is here, and my whole family is here so I’m super excited. I have a special relationship with this wave and I always look forward to the challenge of some tricky heats, as well as some really good heats.”
Two-time Vans US Open of Surfing victor and face of Huntington Beach surfing, Courtney Conlogue (USA), debuted in spectacular form. Growing up and learning her craft at this very break, Conlogue’s experience and knowledge is unmatched and something she utilized brilliantly in her Round of 96 victory to accrue a 12.43.
“I spend about 250 days a year on the road so there’s nothing like being here and surfing in my backyard is really special,” said Conlogue. “The environment and energy of Southern California radiates fun and excitement. I love competing here and feeling that energy all week.”
Requalification Race Resumes For Former CT Elite
The CT Mid-Season Cut left the bottom half of competitors on the outside looking in and continue their hunt to rejoin the world’s best in 2023. Luana Silva (HAW) was a part of the rookie class that had to return to the Challenger Series and she’s making her presence known among the women’s debuts with a 13.03 heat total alongside a big heat win from former CT competitor and current Challenger Series No. 5 Macy Callaghan (AUS).
One of Costa Rica’s top talents Leilani McGonagle (CRI), perennial qualification threat Philippa Anderson (AUS), Vans wildcard Bella Kenworthy (USA), and Japan’s Minami Nonaka (JPN) all took down their opening heat to build momentum moving forward.
Men’s International Challenger Series Contenders Storm The Morning, Nolan Rapoza Steals A Buzzer-Beating Win
Jacob Wilcox (AUS) unleashed his world-class forehand on Huntington Beach Pier’s running lefthander, accruing an event-best thus far of 14.40. The West Australia competitor made his presence known with a dominant display to help eliminate 2021 World Title contender Conner Coffin (USA) and Challenger Series upstart Jett Schilling (USA). Wilcox’s career is highlighted with multiple CT wildcards and multiple Qualifying Series (QS) victories as he looks to join the world’s best full-time.
“I never look too much into the heat draw because you can have the top guys in the event and they’ll have a shocker or I could have a shocker,” said Wilcox. “Conner (Coffin) and Jett (Schilling) are both so good and I just had to be patient, wait for my waves, and I’m glad I got the opportunities I did to turn them into scores. It’s big for the confidence when you win battles like that and I’ll look to keep this going throughout the event.
Southern California’s representation continued with another victory via Nolan Rapoza’s buzzer-beating air to go from third to first place, and eliminate high-seed competitor Maxime Huscenot (FRA). The 2021 Vans US Open of Surfing Semifinalist started the Challenger Series year brilliantly with a Semifinal finish at Snapper Rocks, but has since struggled and now looks to find his rhythm near home.
“I’m over the moon,” said Rapoza. “It’s always stressful competing in your backyard because you don’t want to disappoint all your hometown supporters. I can’t wait for the next one and hopefully get some momentum from this win.”
Also earning noteworthy performances, CT competitor Jadson Andre (BRA) took a big debut win alongside the likes of 2022 CT rookie Joao Chianca(BRA), former CT competitors Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) and Ryan Callinan(AUS), Challenger Series contenders Ramzi Boukhaim (MOR), and last-minute alternate Cody Young (HAW) stamped their authority with respective heat wins.
CLICK HERE FOR VANS US OPEN OF SURFING DAY TWO DAY RESULTS
The next call will be made tomorrow, August 1 at 7:05 a.m. PDT for a possible 7:35 a.m. PDT start for women’s Round of 64 Heat 9.
Watch LIVE
The Vans US Open of Surfing begins July 30 – August 7 at Huntington Beach, California. The broadcast will begin on Monday, August 1 at 7:30 a.m. PDT, and fans can watch LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The Vans US Open of Surfing is proudly supported by Vans, Visit Huntington Beach, Red Bull, Flying Embers, Hydro Flask, Shiseido, 805, Pacifico, Sambazon, StillHouse, Youtheory, BF Goodrich, Fu Wax, Boxed Water, and Just Egg.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
About the WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning the undisputed World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves. WSL is comprised of the Tours and Competition division, which oversees and operates more than 180 global competitions each year; WSL WaveCo, home of the world’s largest high-performance, human-made wave; and WSL Studios, an independent producer of unscripted and scripted projects.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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