12 Heats, 3 Spots Remain For Final Day Of 2023 Challenger Series

Only one round of heats was run in Saquarema yesterday, but it made all the difference.

With a Round of 16 win, Sammy Pupo took his spot back on tour — validating Snake, Stace Galbraith, and all the people who predicted he was a definite lock for qualification.

Bubble boys Mateus Herdy, Jacko Baker, and Kade Matson all lost their Round of 16 heats, effectively eliminating Mateus and Jacko from the possibility of 2024 qualification — and leaving Kade to watch tomorrows heats anxiously.

For Kade to qualify, he needs either Marco Mignot to lose before the final or Michael Rodrigues to lose his Quarterfinal heat.

For Deivid Silva (eliminated earlier in the event) to qualify, he’ll need both Marco to lose before the final AND Michael to lose his QF heat.

Marco and Michael will qualify if they meet their above criteria, respectively.

Pretty straightforward.

Kade’s 2% comrade Eli Hanneman will be facing M-Rod in the quarters. No pressure bud.

As for the women, the equation is even more simple.

Underground Basque 23-year old Nadia Erostarbe can take Isabella Nichols spot if, and only if, she wins the event. Not a small ask, with Sawyer Lindblad, Alyssa Spencer, Erin Brooks, Kirra Pinkerton, and Sophie McCulloch still in the draw.