Macy Callaghan and Marco Mignot Win the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil
Macy Callaghan Earns First 2024 Challenger Series Event Win Against Runner-Up Vahine Fierro; Marco Mignot Secures First Challenger Series Event Over Deivid Silva
18/Out/2024 - WSLPRAIA DE ITAÚNA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Wednesday, October 16, 2024) - Today, Macy Callaghan (AUS) and Marco Mignot (FRA) won the World Surf League (WSL) Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, the sixth and final stop on the 2024 Challenger Series. Callaghan and Mignot overcame Vahine Fierro (FRA) and Deivid Silva (BRA) in the Final. The 2024 Challenger Series season concluded at Praia de Itaúna in three-to-four-foot waves with sunny skies and moderate winds. The top 10 ranked men and top five ranked women of the Challenger Series have officially earned their place in the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) class.
Macy Callaghan Earns First 2024 Challenger Series Event Win Against Runner-Up Vahine Fierro
Macy Callaghan (AUS) scored a 6.67 (out of a possible 10) on consecutive backhand snaps on a left-hander at Praia de Itaúna. She backed it up with a 5.67 to earn a 12.34 total to finish off the 2024 Challenger Series season with a victory. Callaghan closed out the season ranked No. 10, and earned her spot on the 2025 Challenger Series.
“I’m so happy, but I’m actually really tired after that last heat,” said Callaghan. “This is the reason why I came, and I’m just super stoked to finish off the season with a win. Saquarema is always a fun time, the waves were great, and the weather was really nice after all the fog from the event in Portugal. The weekend when the girls surfed was a blast, the beach was filled with people, and they had that cool airshow. But it’s going to be great going back home, I haven’t been back in three months, so it’ll be nice to see my friends and family again.”
Vahine Fierro (FRA) had an incredible run at the Corona Saquarema Pro. Fierro’s Quarterfinal win against Sophia Medina (BRA) secured her the fifth and final qualification spot on the 2025 Championship Tour. In the Final versus Macy Callaghan (AUS), Fierro’s heat total of 10.57 (out of a possible 20) fell short of the win.
“I try to keep it calm in the chaos, but I’m still super happy with everything. I was a little out of rhythm there, but still tried to do my best,” said Fierro. “I just want to thank everyone for watching and all the support, I really feel your mana all the way here. Thanks to my dad too because I know it’s late in Tahiti, but I know he’s watching.”
Marco Mignot Secures First Challenger Series Win Over Deivid Silva
Marco Mignot (FRA) defeated Brazil’s Deivid Silva (BRA) to secure his first Challenger Series win. After two consecutive victories by Brazilian athletes at the Corona Saquarema Pro, Mignot became the first international to take home the victory. Mignot joins event winners Gabriel Medina (BRA) in 2022 and Samuel Pupo (BRA) in 2023.
“You know it’s been an amazing year,” said Mignot. “I’ve just been trying to live every second in the present. My time here has been incredible and my goals were to win a Challenger Series event and qualify, and I was able to accomplish it. But it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I know there’s a new chapter coming and I feel ready for what’s next.”
Deivid Silva (BRA) began Finals Day in a Quarterfinal matchup against fellow Brazilian Mateus Herdy (BRA), followed by a Semifinal heat versus Jackson Baker (AUS). In the Finals matchup, Silva fell to Mignot’s excellent 8.90 (out of a possible 10 points).
“The event in Saquarema was incredible for me, it’s a place that I have a strong connection with, and I feel it has a strong connection with me too,” said Silva. “This year was different, but extremely special too, being able to finish off strong because it’s always been a dream of mine to get a good result here. I’ve got high expectations for next year, I’m going to train hard and focus on my weak points to arrive even stronger on Tour and show what I’m capable of.”
Vahine Fierro, Edgard Groggia, and Jackson Bunch Earn the Final 2025 Championship Tour Qualification Spots
Upon completion of the Corona Saquarema Pro, the final list of the top 10 ranked men and top 5 ranked women for the 2025 CT season has been determined. Vahine Fierro (FRA), Edgard Groggia (BRA), and Jackson Bunch (HAW) earned the remaining spots.
Earlier this year, Vahine Fierro (FRA) was selected as the Event Wildcard for the 2024 SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro where she went on to win at Teahupo’o. Today, Fierro accomplished her goal of making the Tour alongside CT qualifiers, Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bella Kenworthy (AUS), Isabella Nichols (AUS), and Erin Brooks (AUS). With a standout performance in Saquarema, Fierro has her eyes set on the next step in her career.
“This is a dream come true,” said Fierro. “This year I’ve been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. So coming out of the Olympics when I was really down and now clinching my spot on Tour is an incredible feeling. Thanks to the support of everyone that’s been with me each and every day and never giving up. Today was scary, but I love the feeling and am super grateful for this moment.”
“Oh my god, I’m super stoked about everything that’s been happening in my life, but today is a very special moment,” said Groggia, who is celebrating his birthday, in addition to clinching a spot on the CT. “I worked so hard to get here and qualify, but I just know I made it. What a great birthday present. Thanks to everyone from my support group and now I’m anxious to start next year’s season.”
“I can’t believe it, I’m at a loss for words with everything that had to happen,” said Bunch. “I came into the contest really confident, but got eliminated early and just had to see how the results came. But it’s great to be here with all my friends and they’re a big part of my success. Now I can’t wait to get to Pipeline and put on a jersey with my name on the back.”
2024 Challenger Series Rankings and 2025 CT Qualifiers
Women’s
1 - Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 32,170 points
2 - Bella Kenworthy (USA) 27,290 points
3 - Isabella Nichols (AUS) 26,915 points
4 - Erin Brooks (CAN) 24,440 points
5 - Vahine Fierro (FRA) 23,665 points
Men’s
1 - Samuel Pupo (BRA) 25,865 points
2 - Ian Gouveia (BRA) 22,810 points
3 - Marco Mignot (FRA) 21,600 points
4 - Alejo Muniz (BRA) 20,525 points
5 - Deivid Silva (BRA) 17,760 points
6 - Miguel Pupo (BRA) 17,475 points
7 - Joel Vaughan (AUS) 17,390 points
8 - George Pittar (AUS) 16,050 points
9 - Edgard Groggia (BRA) 14,630 points
10 - Jackson Bunch (HAW) 14,430 points
For highlights and more information from the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women’s Finals Results:
1 - Macy Callaghan (AUS) 12.34
2 - Vahine Fierro (FRA) 10.57
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men’s Finals Results:
1 - Marco Mignot (FRA) 14.73
2 - Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.40
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 12.73 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 11.67
HEAT 2: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 10.90 DEF. Isabella Nichols (AUS) 8.17
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men’s Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.76 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 13.67
HEAT 2: Marco Mignot (FRA) 15.83 DEF. Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.86
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Women’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 15.17 DEF. Teresa Bonvalot (POR) 12.00
HEAT 2: Vahine Fierro (FRA) 12.73 DEF. Sophia Medina (BRA) 11.03
HEAT 3: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 13.50 DEF. Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) 10.94
HEAT 4: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 13.60 DEF. Luana Silva (BRA) 13.06
Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco Do Brasil Men’s Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Jackson Baker (AUS) 14.20 DEF. Kade Matson (USA) 10.80
HEAT 2: Deivid Silva (BRA) 13.07 DEF. Mateus Herdy (BRA) 12.50
HEAT 3: Joel Vaughan (AUS) 12.90 DEF. Cauã Costa (BRA) 3.77
HEAT 4: Marco Mignot (FRA) 15.27 DEF. Levi Slawson (USA) 12.50
Next Stop: 2025 Championship Tour
The 2025 Championship Tour will start on January 27, 2025, at the world-renowned Banzai Pipeline. The world’s best surfers will compete in 12 events across nine countries, including the season-ending WSL Finals at Cloudbreak Fiji for the 2025 World Titles. The competition will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
The Corona Saquarema Pro is proudly supported by Corona, Banco Do Brasil, Vivo, Natura Kaiak, Mãe Terra, The City of Saquarema, the Rio de Janeiro State Secretary of Sports and Leisure, Apple Watch with additional support from InterTV and Waves.com.br.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.