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Fantasy Geek Guide: Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach
Chris Mauro
There's an old golfing adage that fits perfectly into how most approach Fantasy surfing: "Drive for show but putt for dough." In terms of the dough for Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach, how you play is just as important as who you play, too, depending on what you're trying to achieve within your pool. To help you out for your picks before the event window opens March 28, we've broken out the tiers to help you devise your strategy.
One you peruse our guide, make your Bells Beach Fantasy picks here.
Tier A (choose one)
Options: Lakey Peterson, Keely Andrew, Sally Fitzgibbons
Playing it safe: This one is a tough call, but history leans in Sally Fitzgibbons's favor, being that she's a two-time winner and made the Finals here as recently as 2016. Sally's penchant for speed and spontaneity are magnified by the open-faced walls at Bells, and she knows the tricky lineup well.
Rolling the dice: Lakey Peterson is coming in hot after her win two weeks ago at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast, and it's worth remembering that on her road to the Semifinals last year at Bells, which was her best result there to date, she beat Fitzgibbons by the slightest of margins in one of the best battles of the event.
The contrarian pick: Keely Andrew has yet to put even a decent result on the board at Bells, but the growth she's shown just in the last year is pointing to that inevitability. If you bet on her this year and it pays, chances are you'll be well ahead of your competitors.
Tier B (choose two)
Options: Malia Manuel, Carissa Moore, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler Wright, Caroline Marks, Silvana Lima, Coco Ho, Johanne Defay, Nikki Van Dijk
Playing it safe: While she lost in the Quarterfinals here last year it's pretty tough to bet against Carissa Moore, who's won three of four Finals she's appeared in at Bells. Her sultry silky routine is the perfect fit for this wave, and not an easy one to beat if she gets her share. While Stephanie Gilmore and Tyler Wright have similar results here over the past five seasons, Steph has appeared in two of the last three Finals. Oh, and she's also got three wins here.
Rolling the dice: In this case Tyler is the safe bet. While she's never won this event, she has made the Finals twice. Given that two-time winner Courtney Conlogue won't in this year's contest, Wright's runway might be a little clearer. Silvana Lima shouldn't be ignored either. She's a former winner, and has a win percentage over 50 percent in her eight appearances in this event.
The contrarian pick: Nikkie Van Dijk is the only surfer on the entire Tour from Victoria, which at some point should translate into a result here in her home state -- yet to date she's never made it to the Quarterfinals. Is this the year? Johanne Defay, meanwhile, is always a low-profile hidden threat here, and a bit safer of a contrarian bet with several Quarterfinal finishes in her past.
Tier C (choose one)
Options: Macy Callaghan, Paige Hareb, Sage Erickson, Bronte Macaulay, Tatiana Weston-Webb
Playing it safe: Tatiana Weston-Webb made the Semifinals at Bells in 2016, which is the furthest of anyone in this batch. And while she's been in a bit of a slump of late, her history of beating up on the world's best can't be forgotten.
Rolling the dice: Macy Callaghan is somebody who will be a full-time Tour surfer any season now. She's the 2016 World Junior Champion, and a serious emerging threat. She missed the cutoff by the slimmest of margins at the end of last year, and will be looking to prove she belongs, while filling in for the injured Conlogue.
The contrarian pick: Championship Tour returnee Paige Hareb is the one who edged Macy out for that last spot on Tour this year. The Kiwi star grew up surfing in cold, blustery conditions and isn't the least bit bothered by them. Her powerful backhand could catch a few by surprise down here.
Watch the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach live daily from March 28- April 8 local time on Facebook and the WSL. Make your WSL Fantasy picks here
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