Gold Coast Pro begins

THE Gold Coast Pro got off to a hot start over the weekend, with the world’s best putting their best surfing on display at Burleigh Heads.

Both the Opening Rounds and Elimination Rounds have been completed, with the first competitors knocked out of the draw.

Event wildcard Julian Wilson wound back the clock to defeat Morgan Cibilic and eliminate this year’s Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach champion Jack Robinson from the event.

In a slow heat for waves, Wilson took any opportunity he could get, launching a massive air reverse to post an 8.17 out of a possible 10 points.

“I feel like in that heat I was coming up against two of the in-form surfers from Bells,” he said.

“Those are the heats you want, but damn they’re hard, so I was really happy to come out on top with that one.

“I’m loving it, to be honest. It felt nice to land three from three then and throw in some variation with a grab. I was pretty amped up after that. It’s nice to be here again and feel at home in this very uncomfortable environment.”

Morgan Cibilic is also through to the Round of 32.

On the women’s side of the draw, Lakey Peterson was a standout from the Elimination Round.

Peterson carried her momentum through from a fifth place at Bells Beach by defeating Bella Kenworthy and Brisa Hennessy.

Her sharp turns were a top match for the quick cupped out walls on offer at Burleigh Heads.

Lakey Peterson was a standout in the women’s Elimination Round on Sunday.

“This is actually my first time surfing at Burleigh, so it felt good to get some more time out there and get to know the bank,” Peterson said.

“It felt good to open up out there and feel like I was clicking in out there. I’m definitely doing my best, and I feel like I’m my old self a bit and out of that fear zone.”

A small surf and onshore wind pattern have forced the event into a holding pattern this week, but competition is expected to resume this Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9.

“There were a few waves on offer this morning, but it is a little weak, and the winds aren’t ideal, which is what we expected,“ WSL deputy commissioner, Renato Hickel said.

“We are expecting this trend to continue for the coming days and even get a bit smaller.

“With this in mind, and with another great-looking swell expected for the end of the week, we will come back on Thursday and make another call for competition to potentially resume.

“The swell for the weekend looks great, so we are looking forward to riding some great waves here at Burleigh Heads.”

When competition resumes, the Men’s Round of 32 and Women’s Round of 16 will hit the water.

World number one Gabriella Bryan will battle in form surfer Luana Silva, while six-time Gold Coast winner and eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore will take on reigning world champion Caity Simmers.