The World Surf League (WSL) announced the wildcards (invitations) to start the 2025 season of the Championship Tour (CT), the elite of the world circuit. Among the men, those chosen were Brazilians Filipe Toledo and João Chianca. In the women’s category, Australian Stephanie Gilmore and North American Lakey Peterson also received an invitation.
toledo chumbinho
Photo: Photos: Thiago Diz and Alan Van Gysen/WSL / Olimpíada Todo Dia
Previously, at the beginning of this season, the WSL had guaranteed that Filipinho and Gilmore would receive a “wildcard” for CT 2025. Like the two-time world champion, the Australian also announced a career break. “With the mid-season cut rankings complete, we announce Lakey Peterson, João Chianca, Stephanie Gilmore and Filipe Toledo as wildcards for the 2025 WSL season,” said WSL Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer.
João Chianca finished as the fourth best surfer in the world last year. Chumbinho was training to repeat his great performance this season, but suffered a serious injury while training in the pipes at Pipeline in December. Therefore, he was undergoing treatment throughout the first half of CT 2024 and only received medical authorization to return to compete now.
“As established last season, the WSL Rulebook allows only World Champions and WSL Final 5 competitors to be eligible to score ranking points in the second half of the season as wildcards. With this, João would be eligible, but we are ensuring he has enough time for his full recovery and we are excited to welcome him back to the Tour full-time next year.”
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Other invitations
The WSL also confirmed invitations for Kelly Slater to participate in the Tahiti and Fiji stages this year, as she did not make the elite cut in Margaret River. Furthermore, it was announced that Carissa Moore and Vahine Fierro will be the wildcards for the first stage after the elite cut, which will be held between May 22nd and 31st in the Teahupoo tubes.
*With information from the World Surf League (WSL)
