Emotions ran high at the surfing venue in Tahiti on Thursday, with reigning Olympic champion Carissa Moore and local favourite Vahine Fierro knocked out, while Brazil’s Gabriel Medina set up a blockbuster semi-final with Australia’s Jack Robinson.
There was controversy too, with an Australian Olympic surfing judge cut from the panel scoring the competition after a photo circulated on social media showing him posing with beaten quarter-finalist Ethan Ewing and the Australian team manager.
Local surfer Kauli Vaast advanced to the semi-finals at his home break of Teahupo’o but the drama and heartbreak was most palpable in the women’s competition.
Hawaiian Moore, who went down to Johanne Defay in a low scoring quarter-final, said she couldn’t imagine a better place to call time on her storied career.
The five-time world champion skipped this year’s professional tour, saying she would likely hang up her competitive rash shirt and look to start a family after the Olympics.
“I mean, you put everything you have into something. I put my whole year, I took a chance, I left the tour. I came here and spent months out of the year just trying to do my very best, and when you come up short of a dream, it sucks.
“But at the same point, like how fun was it? I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“So obviously, I’m really sad to not be a part of finals day and get to represent my home and my family one more time, but I’m really grateful,” the Hawaiian said.
In round three earlier on Thursday, Defay took down Fierro, who after winning the Tahiti Pro at the same incredible venue in May, had high hopes to make the podium.
“Good job to Johanne, she’s a very strong competitor,” Fierro said. “The conditions were tricky. I was able to find barrels, but I just fell, I wasn’t able to make them and that’s what cost me the heat.”
Fierro took a jetski back to shore via the small spectator zone at Teahupo’o, where the home fans showed their appreciation.
“I would like to thank all the crowd, all the people that supported me from far and from close. It warms my heart so much. Whether I win or lose, they were there and it’s very special,” she said.
Medina was clinical in finishing the run of his teammate Joao Chianca, as was Australia’s Robinson as he triumphed over fellow Australian Ewing in often difficult conditions.
Medina had Chianca on the ropes early, while Robinson came from behind to snatch the lead and eventual victory from Ewing, setting up a mouthwatering semi-final with Medina.
Alonso Correa continued his powerful performances for Peru with a win over Japan’s Reo Inaba in the other quarter-final.
Defay will face American world champion Caroline Marks in one semi-final, while Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil and Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy will meet in the other.
Competition has been called off for Friday and is scheduled to resume on Saturday, although organisers could decide to endure a nail-biting wait for better waves to arrive in time for the last possible day of competition on Monday.
Delays due to poor conditions are normal in surfing competitions, with organisers having a 10-day window to run four days of heats – though picking those days is not always easy.
Waves were still somewhat jumbled on Thursday after two-and-a-half days of competition were lost to stormy weather. The swell is forecast to drop before a small bump up on Saturday, making it a possible day to find the medallists.
