In the first stop of the WSL 2022 WSL 2022 Billabong Pro Pipeline Championship Tour, the women’s round of 16 and quarterfinals of the Billabong Pro Pipeline have been completed. Huge eliminations occurred in 6-to-12 foot conditions on Oahu’s North Shore. The ladies left standing after a tough day of competition were Tyler Wright and Lakey Peterson (Australia), and Moana Jones Wong and Carissa Moore, natives of Hawaii.
Moore, a five-time WSL champion was the only surfer to tame the waves during the day’s competition. She started the day taking ok world-renowned Bethan Hamilton, who got into the event as a replacement for Stephane Gilmore. After going on her backside at Pipeline to start the heat, Moore notched a nearly flawless 9.50 score at Backdoor, securing a spot in the quarterfinal round.
Brisa Hennessy battled Moore for a spot in the semifinal round after taking down Gabriela Bryan in the round of 16. In slowing conditions at Backdoor, Moore scored an 8.33, good enough to eliminate Hennessy.
There were some stunning eliminations as Tatiana Weston-Webb and Sally Fizgibbons, ranked 2nd and 3rd in the world, fell to Moana Jones Wong and Malia Manuel, respectively. Manuel’s journey in this event came to an end against Tyler Wright, who cruised to the round of 16 when India Robinson withdrew due to injury.
Wong advanced to the semifinal round after a backup 5.67 leaving Isabella Nichols of Australia needing an extraordinary score to advance. A 7.67 on a heavy backdoor wasn’t enough, as time expired.
Johanne Defay of France, ranked 4th in the world, was also taken out of the competition, falling to Lakey Peterson in the quarterfinal round. Defay was ahead late when Peterson pulled off a buzzer-beater at the Backdoor.
Up next for Peterson is a battle in the semifinal round against Moore.
