There is one thing that can be declared with absolute certainty -- next year, we'll see two new rookies surfing on the world stage.
Macy Callaghan and Brisa Hennessy both qualified for the 2019 Championship Tour after their performances at this week's Port Stephens Toyota Pro held at Birubi Beach in New South Wales, Australia.
Brisa Hennesy - WSL / Tom Bennett
As the final stop on the women's Qualifying Series, the Port Stephens Pro represented the last chance for aspiring CT surfers to compete for rankings points at the final of seven 6,000-point Qualifying Series events -- the highest point pool available at any women's QS event.
Locking in the yearly QS rankings also presents the field with an opportunity for an end-of season celebration that many describe as the women's equivalent to the Triple Crown.Â
For background, there are two main rankings systems: The Championship Tour (CT) rankings and the Qualifying Series (QS) rankings. The CT rankings determine the World Champions while the QS rankings help determine who will qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
Macy Callaghan and Brisa Hennessy after the Port Stephens Toyota Pro. - WSL / Tom Bennett
The 2019 women's CT will be comprised of the top 10 from the CT rankings, the top six from the QS rankings and one awarded wildcard spot (17 in total). Only results from Championship Tour events will count towards the CT rankings. The Qualifying Series rankings will include results from all surfers competing in QS events.
Macy Callaghan finished runner-up at Port Stephens, ending the year ranked No. 6 on the QS. At 17-years-old, Callaghan missed the qualification cut by one heat last year, but after numerous wildcard appearances on the CT this year, the Australian is looking significantly more comfortable in the midst of competition.
Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy made it to the Quarterfinals in Port Stephens when she was eliminated by eventual event winner Nikki Van Dijk. She's wrapping her season ranked No. 7 on the QS, one spot below Callaghan, taking the last qualification position. This year marked the first year that the 19-year-old surfed the QS full time.
Paige Hareb - WSL / Tom Bennett
The two existing CT surfers that have requalified through the QS system are Paige Hareb and Bronte Macaulay. Although Hareb and Macaulay are both actively competing on the CT in 2018, they are sitting too far outside the qualification cutoff on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Even a solid result at the upcoming Beachwaver Maui Pro, the final CT event of the year, will not bump them up enough spots to qualify through the CT. Suffering from an injury for a large portion of the season, Hareb sits at No. 18 on the Jeep Leaderboard and Macaulay at No. 16.
The Port Stephens Pro was vital for both of their 2019 qualification campaigns. Hareb made it to the Quarterfinals leaving her ranked No. 4 on the QS, and Macaulay advanced to the Semis leaving her ranked No. 5. Both have officially qualified for the Championship Tour next year based off of their QS standings, regardless of their CT ranks.
Bronte Macaulay - WSL / Ethan Smith
See the full women's QS rankings here.
See the full women's CT rankings here.
Watch the Beachwaver Maui Pro live November 25 - December 6 on Worldsurfleague.com, App and Facebook.
Meet the CT Rookies of 2019
WSL
There is one thing that can be declared with absolute certainty -- next year, we'll see two new rookies surfing on the world stage.
Macy Callaghan and Brisa Hennessy both qualified for the 2019 Championship Tour after their performances at this week's Port Stephens Toyota Pro held at Birubi Beach in New South Wales, Australia.
As the final stop on the women's Qualifying Series, the Port Stephens Pro represented the last chance for aspiring CT surfers to compete for rankings points at the final of seven 6,000-point Qualifying Series events -- the highest point pool available at any women's QS event.
Locking in the yearly QS rankings also presents the field with an opportunity for an end-of season celebration that many describe as the women's equivalent to the Triple Crown.Â
For background, there are two main rankings systems: The Championship Tour (CT) rankings and the Qualifying Series (QS) rankings. The CT rankings determine the World Champions while the QS rankings help determine who will qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
The 2019 women's CT will be comprised of the top 10 from the CT rankings, the top six from the QS rankings and one awarded wildcard spot (17 in total). Only results from Championship Tour events will count towards the CT rankings. The Qualifying Series rankings will include results from all surfers competing in QS events.
Macy Callaghan finished runner-up at Port Stephens, ending the year ranked No. 6 on the QS. At 17-years-old, Callaghan missed the qualification cut by one heat last year, but after numerous wildcard appearances on the CT this year, the Australian is looking significantly more comfortable in the midst of competition.
Costa Rican Brisa Hennessy made it to the Quarterfinals in Port Stephens when she was eliminated by eventual event winner Nikki Van Dijk. She's wrapping her season ranked No. 7 on the QS, one spot below Callaghan, taking the last qualification position. This year marked the first year that the 19-year-old surfed the QS full time.
The two existing CT surfers that have requalified through the QS system are Paige Hareb and Bronte Macaulay. Although Hareb and Macaulay are both actively competing on the CT in 2018, they are sitting too far outside the qualification cutoff on the Jeep Leaderboard.
Even a solid result at the upcoming Beachwaver Maui Pro, the final CT event of the year, will not bump them up enough spots to qualify through the CT. Suffering from an injury for a large portion of the season, Hareb sits at No. 18 on the Jeep Leaderboard and Macaulay at No. 16.
The Port Stephens Pro was vital for both of their 2019 qualification campaigns. Hareb made it to the Quarterfinals leaving her ranked No. 4 on the QS, and Macaulay advanced to the Semis leaving her ranked No. 5. Both have officially qualified for the Championship Tour next year based off of their QS standings, regardless of their CT ranks.
See the full women's QS rankings here.
See the full women's CT rankings here.
Watch the Beachwaver Maui Pro live November 25 - December 6 on Worldsurfleague.com, App and Facebook.
News
Finals Day is set at La Zicatela after a showcase from defending event victor John Mel posting a 9.00, cover time for Will Deane and Rey
In the final heat of the Round of 16, John Mel secured his place back into Finals Day at La Zicatela with a lofty full rotation to earn a
More aerial antics from John Mel and Hayden Rodgers tipped the scale alongside breakthroughs for Dylan Hord, Sam Reidy, and more with
A dominant showing from Sebastian Williams headlined Day 2 action alongside Hayden Rodgers, Kei Kobayashi, and Jake Davis with excellence
Day 2 witnessed fireworks and Sebastian Williams led the charge with a 9.75 utilizing his aerial antics.