With tension rising and fewer than two minutes on the clock, North Shore native Coco Ho took a heat-turning wave to take over the lead and win her Quarterfinal heat at the Vans US Open of Surfing. Not only is it Ho's best result since the Cascais Women's Pro last September, but it was a major upset: Ho eliminated reigning World Champ, former US Open event winner and current World No. 1 Tyler Wright. Which is to say, a shocker of a result versus the No. 12 ranked surfer on Tour.
Ho has typically relied on her Qualifying Series ranking in recent years to keep her spot on the Championship Tour but noted afterward that she's ready to break through. And indeed, with a new aggression in the water, her performance here in Huntington Beach has been a great start to an important Tour stop. Even better for Ho? It's not over yet. When the contest gets going again, she'll face off against Tatiana Weston-Webb in the Semis for a shot at US Open glory.