Caitlin Simmers and Cole Houshmand are champions at Bells Beach

The controversial WSL stage in Bells Beach, Australia, came to an end in the early hours of Tuesday to Wednesday (03/4) Brasília time. Americans Caitlin Simmers and Cole Houshmand had the honor of shaking the site’s iconic bell. The last day of competitions came into action an hour later than planned, however, when the clock started, the women’s semi-finals between Johanne Defay and Brisa Hennesy and the second between Caitlin Simmers and Caroline Marks opened the proceedings.

The first duel was won by Frenchwoman Defay, who had a total score of 13.53 against Costa Rica’s 12.10. At the opening of the heat, Johanne did a wave that earned her a 6.5, which was answered by a 5.17 from Brisa. With twelve minutes remaining, Hennesy turned around with a score of 6.93 but seven minutes later it was the rival’s turn to row and return to the lead and put an end to the duel with a score of 7.03.

The second semifinal was won by American Caitlin Simmers with a total of 13.93, surpassing Marks’ 9.24. The 18-year-old made a wave with a rating of 7 after starting the contest with a 4.83, opening a good advantage over the 3.67 rating received by the current WSL world champion. Afterwards, Simmers was evaluated with a score of 6.93 and secured her place in the final. Caroline even reacted by scoring 5.57 on her final wave, but it was too late.

With no time for a break in the WSL, it was time for the men to take over the Bells Beach peak. With no Brazilians in the stage, American Cole Houshmand dominated South African Matthew McGillivray and advanced to the final with a total of 13.14 to 7.77. The opening of the clash was best enjoyed by McGillivray, who received a 6.17 and was ahead of Houshmand’s 5.17. However, the joy was short-lived as the driven American ran a 6.77 and quickly took the lead, improved by a 6.37 at the end that set the tone for the duel.

The second men’s heat between Griffin Collapinto and Rio Waida was controlled by the American, winning 16.83 to 14.53. The exchange of notes at the beginning, 8 to 6 for Griffin, seemed to show a balance in the drums. In fact, what we saw on the decisive day of the fourth stage of the WSL was a sequence of good scores from the American, with a 7.33, 8.5 and 8.33 that gave his rival no chance. The last two entered the total and were far above those surfed by the Indonesian. Waida even managed a 7.6 a few minutes later, but ended the stage needing a score of 9.23 to reach the final.

The women returned to the water in an exciting final that was decided in the last seconds. Simmers and Defay took a long time to show their claws and it was the Frenchwoman who received the first good score. The 5.67 was the best score of the heat so far, but it suffered from Caitlin’s response with a wave of 6.10. Johanne continued her trajectory and seemed to have a better connection with the sea. His fifth surfed wave was rated at 5.93 and entered the total. What she didn’t expect was Simmers to take advantage of the gap and, with around ten seconds left in the heat, achieve a 6.67 and be crowned the big winner of Bells Beach.

The men finished the tournament with an 100% American decision between Cole Houshmand and Griffin Collapinto. Best for the WSL debutant who scored a total of 13.50 against Collapinto’s 12.80. In the first few minutes, Gabriel Medina’s tormentor went on the attack and achieved a score of 7, being answered by a weak 2.83 and a 5.83 from Griffin. The 23-year-old still scored a 3.83 before watching the current leader of the men’s ranking receive a score of 6.93 and complicating his life on the drums. Without feeling the weight of the moment, Houshmand responded with a 6.5 and returned to the lead in the final. The last moments were pure tension. The two surfers entered waves that were meticulously analyzed by the judges. First, the yellow t-shirt attacked the wall and saw a response from his rival from the water’s edge. In the end 5.87 for Collapinto, 5.33 for Houshmand and title for WSL rookie of the season.

To find out everything about Surfing, follow Esporte News Mundo on TwitterFacebook and Instagram.

The next stage takes place in Margaret River, Australia, between April 11th and 21st. The competition marks the last chance athletes have to escape the WSL mid-season cut.