Challenger Series Contenders Take Over Lexus US Open

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., USA (Wednesday, August 7, 2024) - The world’s elite class of Championship Tour (CT) qualification contenders made their highly anticipated debuts at the World Surf League (WSL) Lexus US Open of Surfing presented by Pacifico, Stop No. 4 of the 2024 Challenger Series, in testy two-to-three foot conditions. Men’s and women’s opening heats unfolded with the men’s Round of 80 and women’s Round of 48 finishing in their entirety. Now, the top seeds await their debuts to take on early standouts when competition resumes.

Zoe Benedetto Saves the Best for Last in Dominant Debut

A tough day of conditions were no trouble for Florida's own Zoe Benedetto (USA), who posted the day's best performance with a 15.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total in the final heat of the day - the women's Round of 48, Heat 8. The reigning North America Qualifying Series (QS) Regional victor, Benedetto, looked right at home against recent Tahiti competitors Taina Hinckel (BRA) and Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) alongside Rosie Smart (AUS). Now, Benedetto looks for more to ignite her push toward CT qualification.

"I was really nervous the whole time, and I think my first heat is always the hardest heat for me just paddling out all jittery," said Benedetto. "The East Coast this time of year is great practice for this, and I know in the afternoon it’s either going to be windy or a bit smaller. It feels good and I haven’t really gotten going yet, it’s been a slow start to my year. I started off good in January [at the World Junior Championships], but the Challenger has just been slow so far."

Sierra Kerr Returns to Southern California in Winning Form

Reigning WSL World Junior Champion Sierra Kerr (AUS) is back in her part-time home of Southern California, and lit up the tough conditions on her dynamic forehand. Kerr’s signature progressive style led her to garner an impressive 7.50 (out of a possible 10) and an early heat win. The rising star’s win eliminated former CT competitor Paige Hareb (NZL), and Peru’s emerging talent Daniela Rosas (PER). Heat runner-up Anon Matsuoka (JPN) also advances on.

“When I was sitting out there it felt a lot worse than what I thought it was going to be unfortunately,” said Kerr. “I ended up on a set for that 7.50 and didn’t feel like I surfed it that great, but it was a bigger wave so that helps. I’m so excited [to be a wildcard for Fiji]. We just got back from a fun few days there and it’s going to be good fun, hopefully it’s pumping. It’ll be fun watching dad caddy, and I’m in the jersey.”

Former WSL World Junior Champion, and San Clemente’s own, Kirra Pinkerton (USA), debuted in strong form to carry momentum into the Round of 32. Pinkerton will be joined by Nanaho Tzsuki (JPN), Teresa Bonvalot (PRT), Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW), Louise Lepront (RSA), and Sara Wakita (JPN) who also earned early heat wins as they now prepare for top-seeded competitors.

Owen Moss Finds Early Success Near Home, Prepares for Top Seeds

One of North America’s rising talents, Owen Moss (USA), elevated the scale early with his 14.20 debut on his powerful forehand attack. Earlier this year, Moss's impressive run in the North America Pro Junior earned him a place into the World Junior Championships. Now, North Carolina’s own, Moss, looks to show he’s a rising force among the world’s top contenders. 

“[My experience at home] definitely helped me out and here you can see the waves coming from a little bit farther out than the East Coast,” said Moss. “In North Carolina they can kind of just pop up so here it’s easier to recognize those peaks coming in. It’s as simple as focusing on one wave at a time, one heat at a time. It’s kind of what everyone says but it’s true.” 

Brazil’s Upcoming Talent Cauã Costa Provides Opening Upset

Upsets disrupted the opening rounds with Cauã Costa (BRA) and wildcard John Mel (USA) taking out current No. 6 Jordy Lawler (AUS) and former CTer Carlos Munoz (CRC) in Heat 4. Costa’s form was intact from the start, posting a 7.00 early on and putting pressure on his opponents before finding a backup score, and holding firm until the end of the heat with Santa Cruz native, Mel, advancing as heat runner-up.

“I’m very happy to make my heat, and to prepare for this event I just surfed every day to get used to conditions,” said Costa. “I’m feeling good to be here. I just waited for the best wave, and I waited about 20 minutes for that 7.00. Before that wave I was just praying for an opportunity and thank God it came.”

Additionally, Costa’s fellow Brazilian Heitor Mueller (BRA) bested an in-form Kolohe Andino (USA), who also advanced, to join 2023 WSL World Junior Champion Jarvis Earle (AUS), into the Round of 64 alongside Kyuss King (AUS), Dylan Moffat (AUS), Daniel Emslie (RSA), and Luke Thompson (RSA).

Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. PDT to determine a possible 7:35 a.m. PDT start to competition. 

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Round of 48 Results:

HEAT 1: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 9.96 DEF. Philippa Anderson (AUS) 9.63, Ella McCaffray (USA) 8.57, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 6.47

HEAT 2: Sierra Kerr (AUS) 10.83 DEF. Anon Matsuoka (JPN) 10.27, Daniella Rosas (PER) 10.17, Paige Hareb (NZL) 9.77

HEAT 3: Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) 13.00 DEF. Francisca Veselko (POR) 10.34, Ariane Ochoa (EUK) 9.74, Mafalda Lopes (POR) 9.40

HEAT 4: Sara Wakita (JPN) 13.07 DEF. Sarah Baum (RSA) 13.00, Sol Aguirre (PER) 8.84, Zoe McDougall (HAW) 8.17

HEAT 5: Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 10.97 DEF. Laura Raupp (BRA) 10.26, Sara Freyre (USA) 9.76, Minami Nonaka (JPN) 8.43

HEAT 6: Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Nora Liotta (HAW) 10.67, Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 9.83, Talia Swindal (USA) 8.50

HEAT 7: Louise Lepront (RSA) 11.56 DEF. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN) 10.80, Eweleiula Wong (HAW) 10.30, Jessie Van Niekerk (RSA) 8.34

HEAT 8: Zoe Benedetto (USA) 15.33 DEF. Rosie Smart (AUS) 12.00, Taina Hinckel (BRA) 11.73, Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 7.70

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 80 Results:

HEAT 1: Jarvis Earle (AUS) 13.00 DEF. Michael Dunphy (USA) 12.83, Jackson Baker (AUS) 9.90, Kai Paula (HAW) 4.57

HEAT 2: Owen Moss (USA) 14.20 DEF. Riaru Ito (JPN) 10.27, Tully Wylie (AUS) 10.00, Guilherme Ribeiro (POR) 9.23

HEAT 3: Kyuss King (AUS) 10.60 DEF. Kai Martin (HAW) 10.33, Jorgann Couzinet (FRA) 8.93, Frederico Morais (POR) 8.63

HEAT 4: Cauã Costa (BRA) 12.87 DEF. John Mel (USA) 12.66, Carlos Munoz (CRC) 10.77, Jordan Lawler (AUS) 10.47

HEAT 5: Dylan Moffat (AUS) 13.76 DEF. Kian Martin (SWE) 10.93, Robert Grilho (HAW) 8.90, Eithan Osborne (USA) 5.33

HEAT 6: Daniel Emslie (RSA) 12.54 DEF. Luel Felipe (BRA) 11.73, Mihimana Braye (PYF) 10.93, Joh Azuchi (JPN) 10.57

HEAT 7: Luke Thompson (RSA) 12.30 DEF. Taro Watanabe (USA) 12.24, Rinta Oooto (JPN) 9.37, Paul Sampson (RSA) 9.13

HEAT 8: Heitor Mueller (BRA) 13.46 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.00, Tide-Lee Ireland (RSA) 10.90, Ryan Huckabee (USA) 9.17

Lexus US Open of Surfing Women’s Round of 32 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Ellie Harrison (AUS) vs. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) vs. Anon Matsuoka (JPN)

HEAT 2: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Sierra Kerr (AUS) vs. Philippa Anderson (AUS)

HEAT 3: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Tessa Thyssen (FRA) vs. Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN) vs. Sarah Baum (RSA)

HEAT 4: Erin Brooks (CAN) vs. Sophia Medina (BRA) vs. Sara Wakita (JPN) vs. Francisca Veselko (POR)

HEAT 5: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) vs. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) vs. Nora Liotta (HAW)

HEAT 6: Vahine Fierro (FRA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS) vs. Keala Tomoda-Bannert (HAW) vs. Laura Raupp (BRA)

HEAT 7: Bella Kenworthy (USA) vs. Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs. Louise Lepront (RSA) vs. Rosie Smart (AUS)

HEAT 8: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Zoe Benedetto (USA) vs. Amuro Tsuzuki (JPN)

Lexus US Open of Surfing Men’s Round of 64 Matchups:

HEAT 1: Ian Gouveia (BRA) vs. Keijiro Nishi (JPN) vs. Nat Young (USA) vs. Jarvis Earle (AUS)

HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Josh Burke (BRB) vs. Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Michael Dunphy (USA)

HEAT 3: Edgard Groggia (BRA) vs. Levi Slawson (USA) vs. Rafael Teixeira (BRA) vs. Owen Moss (USA)

HEAT 4: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA) vs. Maxime Huscenot (FRA) vs. Riaru Ito (JPN)

HEAT 5: Mikey McDonagh (AUS) vs. Joel Vaughan (AUS) vs. Oscar Berry (AUS) vs. Kyuss King (AUS)

HEAT 6: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) vs. Justin Becret (FRA) vs. Mateus Herdy (BRA) vs. Kai Martin (HAW)

HEAT 7: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Alan Cleland (MEX) vs. Cauã Costa (BRA)

HEAT 8: Crosby Colapinto (USA) vs. Ian Gentil (HAW) vs. Reef Heazlewood (AUS) vs. John Mel (USA)

HEAT 9: Cole Houshmand (USA) vs. Kade Matson (USA) vs. Marco Mignot (FRA) vs. Dylan Moffat (AUS)

HEAT 10: Alister Reginato (AUS) vs. Winter Vincent (AUS) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER) vs. Kian Martin (SWE)

HEAT 11: George Pittar (AUS) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Kai Odriozola (ESP) vs. Daniel Emslie (RSA)

HEAT 12: Nolan Rapoza (USA) vs. Dakoda Walters (AUS) vs. Luke Slijpen (RSA) vs. Luel Felipe (BRA)

HEAT 13: Alejo Muniz (BRA) vs. Eli Hanneman (HAW) vs. Lucas Silveira (BRA) vs. Luke Thompson (RSA)

HEAT 14: Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) vs. Dimitri Poulos (USA) vs. Shion Crawford (HAW) vs. Taro Watanabe (USA)

HEAT 15: Gatien Delahaye (FRA) vs. Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Jett Schilling (USA) vs. Heitor Mueller (BRA)

HEAT 16: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Morgan Cibilic (AUS) vs. Charly Quivront (FRA) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)

Watch LIVE

The Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico runs through August 11,  2024. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.