An Italo Update, And The Final Wildcard Is Decided... - Stab Mag

EAST with Harry Bryant coming August 18...

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Maybe he takes it easy on the airs this week? Yeah... probably not.

An Italo Update, And The Final Wildcard Is Decided…

Our last El Sal preview with Betonline.ag.

news // Jun 5, 2026
Words by Michael Ciaramella
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Event winner + heat odds are now live. Make your picks on Betonline.ag.

Yesterday we learned that Italo Ferreira was lacerated by the fin of an adult learner. Eight stitches to the knee, El Sal campaign in question.

Another lingering Q was the final event wildcard spot. While JJF rumors were floated, they were just as quickly plucked out of the sky by a text to a WSL exec: haha, don’t think so.

Today, both of those questions have been answered… mostly.

On the Italo front, we’re hearing reports from the ground that he WILL attempt to compete despite the sizable wound in his most pivotal hinge. Tough little bugger he is.

But potentially a betting opportunity?

On the wildcard front, that’s going to a local lad by the name of Melvin Ayala. He’s a little fella, but he surfs quite well, and won the local trials in discerning fashion. Do not sleep on him if your name is Luke Thompson.

We asked WSL to clarify how withdrawals affect the draw. Specifically, whether a surfer pulling out BEFORE the event window triggers a replacement wildcard and reseeding, and whether a post–Round 1 withdrawal creates a walkover path to Round 3.

Answers below.

If the withdrawal happens more than 24 hours before the start of the Event Window, reseeding can occur. If the withdrawn surfer was seeded into Round 1, then Round 1 is reseeded. If the withdrawn surfer was seeded into Round 2, then Rounds 1 and 2 are reseeded. A replacement surfer/wildcard can be added only within that pre-event reseeding window.

Alternatively, if that withdrawal happens AFTER round 1, no new surfer is added, as per the ruling:

“Event seeding may only be altered or changed until 24 hours before the start of the Event Window.”

Ergo, the remaining surfer in that matchup advances to Round 3 by walkover/forfeit.

Got it?

The event will almost certainly kick off first thing tomorrow. Below are our final pre-event picks with Betonline.ag (peep our daily comp reports for future picks):

El Sal winner
$30 on EE at +700 to win $210
$30 on Filipe at +500 to win $150
$30 on Griffin at +800 to win $240
$10 on Samuel Pupo at +2500 to win $250
$40 on Molly at +450 to win $180
$30 on Carissa at +650 to win $195
$20 on Caity at +650 to win $130
$5 on Isabella at +6600 to win $330

Men’s R1/R2
$40 on Ramzi at +170 to win $68
$100 on Luke T at +100 to win $100
$20 on Eli H at +160 to win $32
$20 on Oscar at -115 to win $17
$20 on Callum at +350 to win $70
$20 on Mateus at +130 to win $26
$50 on Crosby at -120 to win $42
$50 on George at -130 to win $38
$20 on Cole at +135 to win $27
$20 on Al Cleland at +350 to win $70

Women’s R1
$20 on Sally at -115 to win $17
$20 on Francisca at +120 to win $24
$50 on Tya at -125 to win $40
$20 on Anat at +450 to win $90
$20 on Bella at +175 to win $35
$20 on Brisa at -115 to win $17
$30 on Kirra at +215 to win $65

Think you can do better? Make your picks here.

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