The women's Qualifying Series and North America Junior Tour prepares for their return to Mexico.
Next month, June 6 - 11, the women's Qualifying Series (QS) heads to Costa Azul where margaritas flourish and secret taco spots are bountiful. But, amid all the noise and haste of San Jose Del Cabo's attractions, the Los Cabos Open of Surf QS6,000 will take center stage in hosting some of the world's best women once more -- where its role in the women's qualifying scenario takes a big turn.
The QS6,000s are a massive step in the women's QS, win one and your odds of qualifying go up ten-fold. Such has been the case since the Los Cabos Open of Surf started for women in 2014 after its 2013 inception. History has shown that whoever has won this event in the past, eventually goes on to re-qualify through the QS or become a rookie the following year -- i.e. Coco Ho in 2014 and Nikki Van Dijk in 2015.
Coco Ho's biggest win of 2014 came at the Los Cabos and helped earn her runner-up on the QS rankings -- and secure her place on the CT with a No. 12 finish there. WSL
"I've had an equal amount of ups and downs this year and it's hard," Ho said after her 2014 win. "You've got to keep your head up and my dad told me at the start of the year that it's a marathon, not a sprint. This is definitely a nice feeling."
2017 CT rookie Bronte Macaulay added to that qualifying trend with her first-ever QS win coming at Zippers last year and backed it up with a third place in El Salvador to earn the Central American leg overall points winner. Without the Copa El Salvador Impresionante on the schedule this year, Los Cabos will have an even more important role with 6,000 less points on offer.
Bronte Macaulay's deadly backhand went unrivaled in her 2016 campaign at Zippers WSL / Erik Eiser
"Zippers is such a fun, ripable wave, and the fact that you're in Cabo, where the waters warm and everyone's got pools at their beach hotels, makes it seem like a holiday at the same time," Macaulay said. "I have special memories from their last year, so I can't wait to compete there again. I think it's going be exciting, and it's just about keeping it simple."
A quick look back at last year's final day of competition leading to Macaulay's first-ever QS win.
While the goofyfooter is working to find her way among the Top 17 following the Oi Rio Pro, she'll still have the Fiji Women's Pro before returning to Los Cabos in search of a momentum swing.
"I haven't had the greatest start on the CT, so I'm definitely going to be doing the QS and hoping for some good results there," Macaulay said. "It's going to be quite a busy year but the locations and waves in the next few events are really nice, so I'm excited for it all."
The Australian will be looking for this sensation once again as she and the Top 17 prepare for Fiji before some in need of QS points head to the righthander at Zippers WSL / Marenelmar
Also, adding to the all-important 6,000 points on offer, the Los Cabos Open of Surf marks North America's second stop on the Junior Tour for both men and women.
Tune in live June 6 - 11 for the Los Cabos Open of Surf
Countdown to Los Cabos
Andrew Nichols
Next month, June 6 - 11, the women's Qualifying Series (QS) heads to Costa Azul where margaritas flourish and secret taco spots are bountiful. But, amid all the noise and haste of San Jose Del Cabo's attractions, the Los Cabos Open of Surf QS6,000 will take center stage in hosting some of the world's best women once more -- where its role in the women's qualifying scenario takes a big turn.
The QS6,000s are a massive step in the women's QS, win one and your odds of qualifying go up ten-fold. Such has been the case since the Los Cabos Open of Surf started for women in 2014 after its 2013 inception. History has shown that whoever has won this event in the past, eventually goes on to re-qualify through the QS or become a rookie the following year -- i.e. Coco Ho in 2014 and Nikki Van Dijk in 2015.
"I've had an equal amount of ups and downs this year and it's hard," Ho said after her 2014 win. "You've got to keep your head up and my dad told me at the start of the year that it's a marathon, not a sprint. This is definitely a nice feeling."
2017 CT rookie Bronte Macaulay added to that qualifying trend with her first-ever QS win coming at Zippers last year and backed it up with a third place in El Salvador to earn the Central American leg overall points winner. Without the Copa El Salvador Impresionante on the schedule this year, Los Cabos will have an even more important role with 6,000 less points on offer.
"Zippers is such a fun, ripable wave, and the fact that you're in Cabo, where the waters warm and everyone's got pools at their beach hotels, makes it seem like a holiday at the same time," Macaulay said. "I have special memories from their last year, so I can't wait to compete there again. I think it's going be exciting, and it's just about keeping it simple."
While the goofyfooter is working to find her way among the Top 17 following the Oi Rio Pro, she'll still have the Fiji Women's Pro before returning to Los Cabos in search of a momentum swing.
"I haven't had the greatest start on the CT, so I'm definitely going to be doing the QS and hoping for some good results there," Macaulay said. "It's going to be quite a busy year but the locations and waves in the next few events are really nice, so I'm excited for it all."
Also, adding to the all-important 6,000 points on offer, the Los Cabos Open of Surf marks North America's second stop on the Junior Tour for both men and women.
Tune in live June 6 - 11 for the Los Cabos Open of Surf
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