Simmers and Medina win inaugural WSL Philippines Pro titles
The champions will receive US$80,000 each after beating Australian opponents in the finals at Cloud 9 in Siargao.
Caitlin Simmers and Gabriel Medina became the inaugural champions of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro, winning their respective finals at Cloud 9 in Siargao on November 3.
Brazil's Medina, ranked No. 4 globally, beat Australia's Jack Robinson 16.93-14.50 for the men's title. His opening ride earned 9.43 points, followed by 7.50 on his second. Robinson, the world No. 12, scored 8.23 and 6.27 on his two counting waves.
In the women's final, American world No. 6 Simmers overcame Australia's Isabella Nichols 12.00-10.77. Simmers had advanced past world No. 2 Carissa Moore, whose Interference Penalty 2 removed both the score for the wave involved in the violation and her second scoring wave. Nichols beat compatriot Tyler Wright in her semifinal.
Medina's semifinal victory came against top-ranked Yago Dora, while Robinson advanced by beating fellow Australian Ethan Ewing. The two champions will each collect US$80,000, with Robinson and Nichols receiving US$40,000 apiece. Dora, Ewing, Moore and Wright finished third in their divisions and will each receive US$20,000.
Among the Filipino competitors, John Mark “Marama” Tokong and Jayuard Alciso will each receive US$14,000. Noah Arkfeld will collect US$13,000, while Mara Lopez will receive US$13,500. The Philippine Sports Commission presented the competition.
