May 04, 2022
Isabella Nichols (AUS) and Jack Robinson (AUS) have won the Margaret River Pro, the fifth and final stop before the Mid-Season Cut on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour.
Moreover, CT rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) have earned runner-up finishes after their performances in the eight-to-ten foot waves competition.
This victory not only marks Nichols’ maiden CT victory, but it has also saved her position to continue through the next half of the 2022 CT following the Mid-season Cut.Coming into the FInal Day of competition, Isabella Nichols sat in 12th position on the rankings, just below the Mid-season cut line.
In order to place herself above the cut and keep her spot on the Tour, she had to win the event. This is her second year on the CT, and having only one CT Finals appearance, the Aussie surfer won at the elite level, overcoming local hero Bronte Macaulay (AUS) in the Semifinals and rookie Gabriela Bryan (HAW) in the Final.
“This moment doesn’t even feel real at the moment. I’ve dreamt about this my whole life and I feel like this is going to take a while to sink in. There is no better feeling than this in the whole world.” -Isabella Nichols
The Final saw the battle between Nichols and Bryan, but at the end Nichols was the one to emerge victorious and claim her maiden CT victory, saving her spot in the Championship Tour. Now, Nichols will head to the Quicksilver Pro G-Land sitting in the fourth position.
Robinson had already secured his spot above the cut in the previous event, and he had his eyes set on winning the trophy in his hometown. This victory has also marked history as it is the first Margaret River CT win by a Western Australian since Dave Macaulay in 1989.
For the first time in over 30 years, a West Australian has claimed victory at the Margaret River Pro. Jack Robinson has defeated the event favourite John John Florence (HAW). During competition, Robinson overcame Barron Mamiya (HAW), Jordy Smith (ZAF) and Ethan Ewing (AUS) in order to reach the Final against John John Florence.
During the last heat of the event, Robinson decided to go big, posting a 16.24 two-wave combination in an impressive display of rail and aerial surfing. With this victory, he claims his second CT victory in only his second year on the Tour. Now, the Australian surfer has moved up to third place on the rankings ahead of G-Land.
“Man this is amazing because I’ve had so many rounds so close here so for it to all come together feels too good. I feel so connected with this place, especially with all the support from the people here, my family and my wife Julia, Mat Bemrose, Leandro Dora, everyone, you know who you are.” -Jack Robinson
The Mid-season Cut has reduced the CT fields to the Top 22 men and Top 10 women. These top surfers will continue their path towards the second half of the CT in an effort to make the WSL Final 5 and compete in the Rip Curl WSL Finals.
Moreover, those who have made the cut have confirmed their places for the 2023 CT season. Meanwhile, those who did not make the cut will need to compete in the 2022 Challenger Series in order to qualify for the 2023 CT. The Challenger Series will start at Snapper Rocks at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast Pro presented by Rip Curl opening May 7, 2022.
Additionally, one men’s and one women’s season wildcard as well as one men’s and women’s wildcard per event will join the CT field in the second half of the season. Gabriel Medina (BRA) was announced as the men’s WSL season wildcard, while in the women’s WSL season it will be announced by May 9, 2022.
Women’s CT: Made the Cut
Women’s CT: Missed the Cut
Men’s CT: Made the Cut
Men’s CT: Missed the Cut