Yes And Welcome Back: The First Day Of Female CT Competition At Teahupo’o Since Melanie Redman-Carr Was Taking Scalps In ’06

We saw four heats at Teahupo’o today.

It only took 140 minutes to run — but also sixteen years.

The last time a women’s CT contest was held in Tahiti was 2006 and was won by WA’s Melanie Redman-Carr. She earned $10,000 for her efforts. This year’s winner will take home $100,000. The waiting period opened on August 11th, but it waltzed straight into a series of lay days. Today, finally, women’s Round 1 was called on.

However, there was no firework ceremony to kick the thing off — environmental protection laws, perhaps.

Stephanie Gilmore bested Brisa Hennessy and Isabella Nichols in a slow heat to inch her way closer to the Finals at Lowers — ideally, for Steph, with a seed better than the #5 she carried in 2021. As it stands, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Brisa Hennessy, Lakey Peterson, Tyler Wright, Gabriela Bryan, and Isabella Nichols are also still in mathematical contention for the three remaining spots. The good news for Steph? None of them won their heats today.

The bad news for Steph? Carissa Moore once again secured the number 1 seed for the Finals. Riss surfed in the most exciting heat of Round 1 against Vahine Fierro and Gabriela Bryan. She racked up the highest heat score and highest single wave score of the day. With her seed secured, the 5x World Champ doesn’t have to feel much pressure through the rest of the event — aside from the pressure that inherently arises when you’re staring at a 15-foot west bowl.

Speaking of which, good luck to anyone coming up against Vahine as the swell builds. Her level of comfort out there is palpable, and her heats might begin to look something like a conference or short course on a particular subject — popularly known as a clinic.

In the next heat, Caroline Marx finally took one home for the goofies. Somewhere, Occy smiles. It’s a confused smile, but still.

The day wrapped with a close heat between Courtney Conlogue, Tatiana Weston-Webb, and Lakey Peterson — all of whom were competing in America’s amateur NSSA events last time this event ran. Tati got the best wave but couldn’t find a backup, and Courtney snuck through. Tati does look fired the fuck up, though — big Owen Wright throw yourself over the ledge energy (BOWTYOTLE) if you know what we’re saying. And, as we hinted at above, she’ll have a chance to do exactly that.

The swell builds through the day tomorrow and is expected to be 8-12 ft by the end of the day. And Thursday? 10-15 ft and clean. Friday will be a bit smaller (6-10 ft), but still clean.

Let’s see how Jessi Miley-Dyer — who lost to Sofia Mulanovich with a respectable 13.07 heat total in that 2006 event — plays this one.

Gamble ramble

Tati’s inability to procure a 2.6 left Mikey with a losing record today. See what tomorrow brings on Betonline.ag.

$20 on Vahine Fierro at +135 — LOSS
$20 on Caroline Marx at +150 — WIN $30
$40 on Tatiana Weston-Webb at +115 — LOSS

Day 1 earnings: -$30
Event earnings: -$30

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Women’s Opening Round 1 Results:
HEAT 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 7.50 DEF. Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 5.60, Isabella Nichols (AUS) 2.67
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 13.84 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 11.73, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 1.63
HEAT 3: Caroline Marks (USA) 9.50 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6.20, Tyler Wright (AUS) 3.80
HEAT 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 7.77 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 7.44, Lakey Peterson (USA) 4.90

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Women’s Elimaintion Round Matchups:
HEAT 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 2: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)

Outerknown Tahiti Pro Men’s Opening Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Matthew McGillivray (RSA), Yago Dora (BRA)
Heat 2: Ethan Ewing (AUS), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Kauli Vaast (FRA)
Heat 3: Jack Robinson (AUS), Nat Young (USA), Michel Bourez (FRA)
Heat 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Kelly Slater (USA),  Nathan Hedge (AUS)
Heat 5: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Jordy Smith (RSA), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 6: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Jackson Baker (AUS)
Heat 7: Callum Robson (AUS), Samuel Pupo (BRA), Seth Moniz (HAW)
Heat 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Jake Marshall (USA)