SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The World Surf League Sambazon Junior Championships, hosted by Best Western, has been called on in six-to-eight-foot, pristine conditions.
The first eliminations of the event will unfold as both the men’s and women’s Elimination rounds are on schedule, starting with the men’s competition at 8 a.m.
“The storm came through yesterday and now we’re looking at another great day of competition starting with the men’s Elimination Round at 8 a.m.,” said WSL Deputy Commissioner Travis Logie. “We’ll go straight into the women’s Elimination Round with conditions looking to hold throughout the day and provide some big moments. Surfers will have to put everything out there today with the first eliminations happening so it should be really exciting to watch.”
Event wildcard and top seed, Joel Vaughan (AUS) will face Saxon Reber (AUS) to kick off the day’s competition in an all-Australian battle to see who marches forward toward a World Junior Champion Title. Southern Californian’s Jett Schilling (USA) and Kade Matson (USA) will have to overcome Asia’s No. 2 Tenshi Iwami (JPN) and No. 1 Kian Marton (SWE), in the men’s Elimination Round Heats 3 and 4 respectively. Also, North America No. 1 Alan Cleland (MEX), South Africa No. 1 Tide-Lee Ireland, Europe’s No. 1 Bitor Garitaonandia (EUK), and more all look to stay alive and advance to the Round of 16.
Former Championship Tour (CT) competitor and event wildcard Luana Silva (BRA) hopes to get her campaign back on track, starting in the women’s Elimination Round, Heat 1 against Asia’s No. 2 Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN). Encinitas, California’s Ella McCaffray looks to recover from her Opening Round loss and move forward but must overcome a decorated competitor, Sara Wakita (JPN), in Heat 4. Notable competitors such as 2018 World Junior Champion Kirra Pinkerton (USA), Australia’s Sierra Kerr, Hawaii/Tahiti Nui’s No. 1 Puamakamae DeSoto (HAW), and No. 2 Eweleiula Wong (HAW), Europe No. 1 Janire Etxabarri (EUK), Asia No. 1 Anon Matsuoka (JPN), and more will clash to keep their dream of earning a World Junior Champion Title.
Upcoming Men’s Elimination Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Saxon Reber (AUS)
Heat 2: Alan Cleland (MEX) vs. Lennox Chell (AUS)
Heat 3: Jett Schilling (USA) vs. Tenshi Iwami (JPN)
Heat 4: Kade Matson (USA) vs. Kian Martin (SWE)
Heat 5: Brodi Sale (HAW) vs. Noa Dupouy (FRA)
Heat 6: Luke Thompson (RSA) vs. Bitor Garitaonandia (EUK)
Heat 7: Adur Amatriain (EUK) vs. Tommy Coleman (USA)
Heat 8: Ryan Kainalo (BRA) vs. Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA)
Upcoming Women’s Elimination Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN)
Heat 2: Rachel Presti (DEU) vs. Louise Lepront (RSA)
Heat 3: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) vs. Rubiana Brownell (CRC)
Heat 4: Sara Wakita (JPN) vs. Ella McCaffray (USA)
Heat 5: Zahli Kelly (AUS) vs. Gemma Hanafey (RSA)
Heat 6: Eweleiula Wong (HAW) vs. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK)
Heat 7: Daniella Rosas (PER) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN)
Heat 8: Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Puamakamae DeSoto (HAW)
The event will be broadcast live on WorldSurfLeague.com, WSL’s YouTube channel, and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
